Hazlewood Praises RCB's Bowling in Low-Scoring Victory Over Delhi Capitals
Hazlewood Reflects on the Match
After securing a crucial four-wicket haul against Delhi Capitals (DC) in a match characterized by low scores, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) bowler Josh Hazlewood expressed uncertainty about the game following a high-scoring clash between DC and Punjab Kings (PBKS) just days earlier. He commended the spinners for effectively applying pressure through their dot balls.
Contrasting Performances
In a previous match, a staggering 529 runs were scored between DC and PBKS, where Punjab chased down 265 runs, highlighted by KL Rahul's remarkable 152*. However, the scenario shifted dramatically two days later, as DC's batters struggled to make contact, often nicking the ball to fielders or being troubled by the bounce. Hazlewood, alongside Bhuvneshwar, decimated DC's lineup to 8/6 during the powerplay, although the hosts managed to reach 75 runs, which proved insufficient. The spinners maintained the momentum established by the pacers, with Suyash Sharma (1/7 in four overs) and Krunal Pandya (1/9 in two overs) conceding only 16 runs in six overs while claiming the wickets of Kyle Jamieson and Kuldeep Yadav.
Hazlewood's Insights
During the post-match interview, Hazlewood remarked, "After witnessing over 500 runs in the previous game, we were uncertain about what to expect. I followed Bhuvneshwar's lead. There was enough assistance in the first six overs, and the ball skidded quickly off a short length. Once it softened, it became more even." He added that bowling short balls on such a pitch was advantageous, emphasizing the importance of accuracy. "When the ball was hard, batting was challenging. It would have been great to bowl four overs and leave the field (laughs). Our spinners effectively entered the game and kept it tight," he noted.
RCB's Momentum
Reflecting on the previous season where RCB won all their away matches, Hazlewood stated that the team has continued from where they left off and is peaking at the right moment. "We have resumed from our last season's performance. We quickly assessed the conditions and adjusted our strategies (on the road in 2025). It feels like we are hitting our stride again at the right time," he concluded.
Season Performance
This season, Hazlewood has claimed eight wickets across five matches, boasting an average of 19.25 and an economy rate of 7.89. With this victory, RCB has achieved six wins out of eight matches, accumulating 12 points and securing the second position in the points table. Conversely, DC's fifth defeat, alongside three wins, places them seventh in the standings.
Match Summary
RCB chose to field first, and outstanding performances from Hazlewood (4/12) and Bhuvneshwar (3/5) restricted DC to 75 runs in 16.3 overs, with Abishek Porel (30) and David Miller (19) providing some resistance. RCB's batting lineup responded aggressively, with Jacob Bethell scoring 20 runs off 10 balls (including one four and two sixes), Devdutt Padikkal contributing 34* runs off 13 balls (with three fours and three sixes), and Virat Kohli finishing with 25* runs off 13 balls (featuring one four and two sixes), completing the chase in just 6.3 overs.