Hazlewood reveals RCB bowling partnership with Bhuvi mirrors Australia's pace duo

Josh Hazlewood feels his RCB partnership with Bhuvneshwar Kumar provides a balance similar to Australia's Cummins-Starc bowling pair.

Recovery and fitness focus Hazlewood wears a fitness tracker on one wrist and a smartwatch on the other, with Australian trainers closely tracking his data and recovery. While metrics matter, he also trusts his physical sensations. 'Sometimes the best recovery is to keep moving,' he says. 'The longer you sit still, the more you stiffen up.' Players find different ways to unwind, with games like pickleball and padel gaining popularity. Escaping the game mentally is equally important, especially during a 14-game stretch where players spend around 24 hours on the field over ten weeks. Too much focus on the match in the room can lead to overthinking before it even starts, so finding balance is crucial. ## Injury setbacks and mental resilience Hazlewood's recent months have underscored the importance of balance due to a series of lower-body issues, including a right hamstring strain and Achilles soreness. These injuries sidelined him from the Ashes and the T20 World Cup, turning recovery into both a physical and mental challenge. Now, he feels encouraged by his progress. 'Yeah, I feel like it's getting close,' he says. 'There's always something niggling away, but at the moment things are going pretty well.' The Australian summer presented tough moments, but his fitness unlocks opportunities for more cricket, which he sees as a positive. 'I feel like the rhythm's pretty good now. I've played a fair few games in a row now, so confidence in the body is good.' ## RCB bowling synergy with Bhuvi Hazlewood hasn't matched his dominant IPL 2025 season yet, though he has delivered standout performances like his 4 for 12 against Delhi Capitals at Kotla or 1 for 20 against Lucknow Super Giants at Ekana. However, he values the spells where he fights back after early setbacks more than the ones made easier by conditions. In a game against MI in Raipur, he conceded 16 runs in his opening over, with Rohit Sharma hitting two fours and a six, but clawed back to finish with 1 for 33 from four overs. 'There are certain spells that come to mind, but I'm probably more proud of the efforts where you fight back,' he says. 'If you're bowling on a flat wicket and go for 2 for 40 while everyone else goes for 50 or 60, I think those are the satisfying games.' ## Bowling partnership mastery At RCB, Hazlewood has thrived alongside Bhuvneshwar Kumar, whose contrasting style complements his own. Together, they bring control and reliability across phases. A standout performance came against Punjab Kings in IPL 2025, where they conceded just 28 runs in the final four overs while consistently delivering yorkers under pressure. They landed eight yorkers in that stretch, restricting PBKS to 157. 'It's a little bit like bowling with Patty [Pat Cummins] and Starcy [Mitchell Starc] for Australia,' he says. '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.' ## Bowling strategies and innovation Hazlewood believes this IPL season has highlighted the enduring value of traditional fast-bowling methods amid a format obsessed with innovation. 'Trends come and go,' he says. 'They can last a whole tournament or just three or four games. Conditions play a huge role.' He notes that batters often get mentally ahead, making the bowler's job easier or harder depending on the matchup. 'In T20 cricket, if you're ahead of the batter mentally, it can feel like the easiest game in the world. If you're behind, it can feel impossible. That can be the difference between going for six runs in an over and 25.' ## Final-over nerves and title glory No game captured the mental chess of T20 better than last year's IPL final against Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad, where RCB defended 190 to win the trophy. Hazlewood bowled the final over with the title effectively secured after two deliveries. His focus was solely on basics: 'Keep my foot behind the line, don't bowl a wide, don't bowl a no-ball.' Wherever the ball landed didn't matter, as the result was already decided. 'I was probably bowling not great balls at the end, but it didn't really matter.' The victory carried added significance for Hazlewood, who had also won in IPL 2021 with Chennai Super Kings. ## Emotional win and team growth The win resonated deeply for Hazlewood, who felt it was especially meaningful for the RCB franchise. 'It was special for me to do it for the guys who'd been here for 18 years,' he says. 'Some of the support staff had been here a long time without much reward, so it was great to win one there.' While winning finals felt routine at CSK, the emotional weight at RCB was palpable, as the franchise had earned its first title. This year, despite leading the table, Hazlewood believes the team hasn't yet played a complete game at its best. 'Last year, we built nicely towards the back end, so hopefully we can do that again.' ## Team culture and stability Hazlewood has noticed a shift in the RCB environment since he left after 2023 and returned in 2025. 'I think there's a lot more calmness around the group now,' he says. The team is more experienced, with seasoned players in both the playing group and support staff. Earlier, results dictated emotions like a rollercoaster, but now the focus is more on process and stability rather than fluctuating highs and lows. This evolution has created a more grounded and professional atmosphere within the franchise.