Australian speedster Josh Hazlewood has opened up on his growing bowling partnership with Bhuvneshwar Kumar at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), comparing the combination to sharing the new ball with Australian pace stars Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. Hazlewood, who has been one of RCB’s most dependable bowlers in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026, highlighted how contrasting bowling styles have helped Bengaluru maintain balance in their attack.
The Australian pacer explained that while Bhuvneshwar relies more on swing and fuller deliveries, he focuses on hitting the seam hard and extracting bounce, making the duo difficult for batters to line up consistently.
Hazlewood compares RCB partnership with Australia’s famed duo
Hazlewood reflected on RCB’s bowling structure and credited the variety in the attack for their success across phases. He also recalled their impressive death bowling effort against Punjab Kings in IPL 2025, where he and Bhuvneshwar executed yorkers brilliantly under pressure.
“It’s a little bit like bowling with Patty [Pat Cummins] and Starcy [Mitchell Starc] for Australia,” Josh Hazlewood said.
“Bhuvi probably pitches it up a little more and swings the ball. I can hit the seam and get a bit of bounce. It’s nice to have balance in your attack. Last year and this year we’ve had a nice mix.”
The 35-year-old further explained that different bowling styles make it harder for batters to settle, adding that RCB’s attack reminds him of Australia’s balanced bowling setup.
“We don’t have Yash [Dayal] this year with the left-arm angle, but Rasikh [Salam] has stepped into that role nicely. Then we’ve got a legspinner and a left-arm spinner. It feels a bit like Australia – every base is covered. If you’ve got three bowlers of the same style, the batter can get a pretty good read on what’s happening. Different skills and different styles make it harder,” he added.
Josh Hazlewood continues to play crucial role for RCB
Despite dealing with injury setbacks over the past year, Josh Hazlewood has remained a vital part of RCB’s bowling attack this season and played a crucial role in their maiden title victory in 2025. He took 22 wickets in 12 games in 2025 and has already taken 11 wickets in nine so far this season.
The experienced fast bowler has delivered impactful performances in pressure situations and has formed one of the tournament’s most reliable pace partnerships alongside Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
RCB currently sit at the top of the IPL 2026 points table and remain strong contenders for another playoff run as the league stage enters its final stretch.