Josh Hazlewood Shines with Impressive Bowling Performance Against Punjab Kings

Hazlewood's Triumph Over Shreyas Iyer

Josh Hazlewood couldn't help but smile as he sprinted past a stunned Shreyas Iyer, the captain of Punjab Kings, after claiming his wicket with a rising delivery just outside the off-stump. This moment held dual significance.

It marked the third occasion Hazlewood had dismissed Iyer in just four IPL matches, allowing him to concede a mere eight runs.

This was not only a personal achievement for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru bowler but also a testament to his ability to learn from previous experiences.

In his earlier outings at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Hazlewood had struggled, recording figures of 1/43 against Gujarat Titans and 0/40 against Delhi Capitals, where he faced heavy punishment despite the pitch being favorable for bowlers.

For a bowler of Hazlewood's caliber, such performances would have been a blow to his pride.

However, he turned the tide on his third appearance at the venue, delivering an impressive 3/14 in three overs, although it was unfortunate that his stellar effort came in a losing match.

This performance highlighted Hazlewood's effectiveness across formats, driven by relentless precision rather than sheer magic. Observers might notice similarities to Australian great Glenn McGrath.

Like McGrath, Hazlewood excels at maintaining a consistent length, and it's noteworthy that he has bowled nearly 60 dot balls in this IPL season alone.

This statistic is remarkable, especially considering that the 34-year-old bowls at least 12 deliveries during Power Plays, achieving a dot ball percentage of around 73% during this phase.

"I believe that if you consistently hit the wicket hard at that six to eight-meter mark, it becomes quite challenging for the batsman. It's about reading the game and the batter," Hazlewood explained in the post-match press conference.

"Sometimes, you can sense whether they will attack or play defensively, allowing for subtle adjustments in length that can have a significant impact," he elaborated on his approach.

His adaptability, combined with a high release point, makes Hazlewood a difficult bowler to face on any surface, as it generates unsettling extra bounce.

Shreyas Iyer can attest to this; the ball pitched slightly behind a good length but rose above his waist, limiting his ability to execute a cut shot past the point fielder.

All Iyer could manage was a weak edge, caught by Jitesh Sharma behind the stumps, and now Hazlewood shares the Purple Cap with Chennai Super Kings' Noor Ahmad, each with 12 wickets.

"It's about sensing the batter's mindset and making those subtle adjustments when necessary. It could be about finding the right balance in how aggressively to bowl," he noted.

Hazlewood has also gained from partnering with the experienced Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and together they form the backbone of RCB's new ball attack.

Their bowling styles are quite similar, as they both challenge batsmen with subtle changes in line and length.

Hazlewood acknowledged this synergy, stating, "Bowling alongside someone like Bhuvi, who has so much experience and skill at both the start and end of innings, is a fantastic learning opportunity.

"We each bring our unique variety to the attack, complementing each other well, which is exciting," he added.

Looking ahead, Hazlewood may receive even greater recognition when RCB faces Rajasthan Royals on April 24.