Josh Hazlewood Celebrates RCB's IPL Triumph and Team Spirit

In a thrilling IPL 2026 final, Josh Hazlewood of Royal Challengers Bengaluru celebrated the team's depth and culture after their victory over Gujarat Titans. He reflected on the relaxed atmosphere within the squad and praised the contributions of key players like Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Hazlewood expressed confidence in the team's potential for a three-peat, highlighting the franchise's supportive environment. RCB's win marks their second IPL title and fourth overall in Indian franchise cricket. Discover more about their journey and Hazlewood's insights in this detailed article.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 1, 2026, 03:34 IST

RCB's Remarkable IPL Victory

In Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on June 1, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fast bowler Josh Hazlewood expressed his admiration for the team's robust bowling lineup and overall culture after they secured consecutive Indian Premier League (IPL) titles with a five-wicket victory against Gujarat Titans (GT) in the 2026 final.

During a post-match discussion, Hazlewood reflected on their flawless T20 final record, stating, "This is definitely among the top moments. The atmosphere within the team felt more relaxed this year. After finally clinching our first title last year, the group maintained a calm demeanor throughout the tournament. Players consistently rose to the occasion, and we had around ten Man of the Match awards, showcasing the squad's incredible depth. Every player who stepped in performed admirably, and our bowling unit is exceptional."

He also praised the contributions of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, noting, "I can't recall a match where he conceded more than 35 runs. In today's game, that's remarkable. He consistently took wickets early in almost every match, relieving pressure from the rest of us, allowing us to bowl at numbers four and five during the power play. It was quite advantageous."

Hazlewood emphasized the franchise's role in fostering a positive atmosphere, saying, "The franchise has been assembled wonderfully—not just the players, but also the support staff. It creates a relaxed environment that allows us to play our best cricket. Everyone enjoys being part of this group. Winning certainly helps, but it feels like we are a close-knit team, playing for each other rather than just for ourselves. It's a great feeling."

When asked about the possibility of achieving a three-peat, Hazlewood confidently replied, "Absolutely, I see no reason why we can't do it."

In the IPL 2026 final, RCB opted to bowl first, restricting GT to a mere 155/8 in their 20 overs. Washington Sundar (50* off 37 balls, including five fours) and Nishant Sindhu (20 off 18 balls, with three fours) were the only players to surpass the 20-run mark. Rasikh Dar Salam (3/27), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/29), and Josh Hazlewood (2/37) consistently took wickets.

RCB began their chase strongly, with a 62-run partnership between Venkatesh Iyer (32 off 16 balls, featuring four boundaries and two sixes) and Virat Kohli. Although GT fought back, reducing RCB to 132/5 at one stage, Virat (75* off 42 balls, with nine fours and three sixes) led RCB to victory with two overs remaining.

This marks RCB's second IPL title and their fourth overall in Indian franchise cricket, which includes two Women's Premier League (WPL) titles.