IPL 2026: Josh Hazlewood Suffers Career-Worst T20 Figures vs SRH
A Night to Forget for Josh Hazlewood
In the 67th match of the IPL 2026 season, the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium witnessed a batting masterclass from Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). As they faced off against the table-topping Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the Hyderabad lineup showed no mercy, turning the pitch into a playground and forcing RCB’s premier pace bowler, Josh Hazlewood, to endure the most punishing figures of his T20 career.
Known for his metronomic accuracy and ability to stifle scoring rates, Hazlewood found himself completely out of his depth against a rampant SRH batting unit. The Australian pacer, usually a reliable trump card for his side, was treated with disdain as Hyderabad batters looked to solidify their claim for a top-two finish in the league standings.
The Powerplay Onslaught
SRH set the tone early, opting to bat on a surface that offered pristine conditions for stroke play. Their intent was clear from the first ball, with Abhishek Sharma playing a destructive knock of 56 runs off just 22 deliveries. His innings, laced with five towering sixes, provided the perfect platform for the middle order to capitalize. By the end of the powerplay, SRH had already racked up a formidable 63 runs, putting the RCB bowlers under immediate pressure.
The Record-Breaking 13th Over
The turning point of the first innings arrived in the 13th over. With Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan looking to accelerate, RCB turned to Hazlewood to stem the flow of runs. However, the move backfired spectacularly. Klaasen, in particular, took a liking to the Aussie’s lines, dispatching him for three massive sixes and a boundary. Combined with wayward deliveries that resulted in wides, the over stretched to nine balls and cost a staggering 27 runs—the most expensive over Hazlewood has ever conceded in his T20 career.
By the end of his four-over spell, Hazlewood had conceded 55 runs without taking a wicket, an uncharacteristic performance for a bowler of his pedigree. It was a stark reminder of the volatile nature of T20 cricket, where even the most disciplined masters of control can find themselves on the receiving end of an aggressive onslaught.
Klaasen and Kishan Fuel the SRH Fire
The damage was not limited to Hazlewood alone. Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan stitched together a brilliant 113-run partnership for the third wicket, both reaching their respective fifties with clinical efficiency. While Krunal Pandya eventually provided a brief respite for RCB by dismissing Klaasen for a 24-ball 51, the damage had been done. The momentum remained firmly with the home side, as they surged past the 200-run mark well before the 16th over, setting their sights on an intimidating total.
RCB’s Strategic Outlook
Despite the current setback, RCB received a morale boost with the return of captain Rajat Patidar, who missed the previous encounter against PBKS due to injury. His presence is vital for the team as they head into the playoffs. Currently sitting at the top of the points table, RCB remains a favorite to finish in the top two, which would grant them two opportunities to secure a place in the final.
However, the heavy defeat in this clash serves as a cautionary tale for the Bengaluru side. As the tournament progresses toward the business end, their bowling unit will need to regroup quickly. Sunrisers Hyderabad, meanwhile, have sent a loud message to the rest of the league: they are peaking at exactly the right time and are not afraid to dismantle the best bowlers in the world to secure their spot at the top.
