Josh Hazlewood Lauds Bhuvneshwar Kumar: A Comparison to Starc & Cummins
Australian pace bowling maestro Josh Hazlewood has ignited discussions among cricket enthusiasts by placing Indian veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the same elite category as his national teammates, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins. Speaking on his experience at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Hazlewood revealed that the void often felt from the absence of his formidable Australian counterparts is significantly lessened when he shares the new ball with Kumar.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s Dominance: A Season of Sublime Accuracy
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been nothing short of sensational in the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League. His consistent brilliance has seen him emerge as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, currently holding the coveted Purple Cap with an impressive tally of 22 wickets from just 12 games. Kumar’s extraordinary accuracy, particularly with the new ball, has rendered him one of the most lethal and effective pacers in the competition. His ability to swing the ball both ways, coupled with impeccable line and length, has consistently troubled opposing batsmen, making early breakthroughs a regular feature of RCB’s bowling innings.
His performance is a testament to his enduring skill and experience, showcasing why he remains a vital asset in any T20 setup. Even on pitches that are traditionally considered flat and batting-friendly, Kumar has managed to extract movement and generate crucial opportunities, proving his adaptability and craft.
The Potent Partnership: Hazlewood and Kumar Spearhead RCB’s Attack
The combination of Josh Hazlewood’s pace, bounce, and disciplined lines with Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s swing and precision has forged arguably the most promising bowling attack in this season’s IPL. Their effectiveness is not confined to a single phase of the game; they have been particularly devastating in the powerplay, stifling opposition scoring and claiming vital early wickets. Furthermore, their composure and skill at the death overs have been equally impressive, where they have managed to be remarkably economical, preventing batsmen from launching late assaults and sealing victory for their side.
This dual threat ensures that RCB possesses a well-rounded pace battery capable of delivering under various match situations and against different batting line-ups. The synergy between Hazlewood and Kumar has provided RCB with a significant competitive edge, allowing other bowlers to operate with less pressure.
Hazlewood’s High Praise: Bowling with Bhuvi is Like Bowling with Starc and Cummins
The lanky Australian pacer did not hold back in expressing his admiration for Kumar’s abilities, stating unequivocally that bowling with the Indian veteran makes him feel as though he is bowling alongside his Australian teammates, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. This comparison is particularly significant, given that Hazlewood typically forms a world-class pace trio with Cummins and Starc for the Australian national team, a combination renowned for its relentless pressure and wicket-taking prowess.
“It’s a little bit like bowling with Patty [Pat Cummins] and Starcy [Mitchell Starc] for Australia. 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,” ESPNcricinfo reported Hazlewood as saying. This insight highlights the complementary nature of their bowling styles: Kumar’s swing and fuller length perfectly setting up Hazlewood’s seam movement and bounce, creating a formidable challenge for any batting order.
The Art of the Comeback: Hazlewood’s Unique Perspective on Pacers
Despite picking up 11 wickets in nine appearances this season, Josh Hazlewood possesses a very unique and insightful perspective on a pacer’s ability to recover and perform under pressure, especially on challenging surfaces. He values the effort and resilience shown by bowlers even when the conditions are heavily stacked against them.
“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,” Hazlewood claimed. This statement underscores his belief that a pacer’s true worth is often revealed not just in wicket tallies, but in their ability to restrict runs and maintain discipline when the odds are stacked against them. It speaks volumes about his understanding of the game’s nuances, where impact is not always measured solely by the number of dismissals but by the overall pressure created and the relative economy maintained.
He further elaborated on the mental fortitude required, particularly when an initial over might go for many runs. “But when the batting side is dominant and your first over goes for 20, and then you fight back with yorkers or changes of pace and finish with decent figures, those are the games I’m probably most proud of,” Hazlewood explained. This philosophy emphasizes the importance of resilience, strategic thinking, and execution under pressure, traits that define top-tier fast bowlers who can adapt and innovate even when under siege.
RCB’s Balanced Bowling Attack: A Formula for Success
Beyond individual performances, Josh Hazlewood also lauded the overall team balance within the Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad, particularly highlighting the diversity in their bowling options. This praise is undoubtedly music to the ears of those responsible for picking the playing XI, validating their strategic choices.
“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 [Suyash Sharma] and a left-arm spinner [Krunal Pandya],” the 35-year-old commented on the franchise. This observation points to a deliberate strategy of building a multi-faceted bowling unit, capable of tackling different types of batsmen and pitch conditions. Having a mix of right-arm pacers, a left-arm option, a leg-spinner, and a left-arm orthodox spinner ensures that the captain has a wide array of choices to deploy throughout the innings.
Hazlewood further likened this diversity to the Australian national team’s approach: “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.” This strategic depth is crucial in T20 cricket, where unpredictability and variety can be game-changers. By offering different angles, speeds, and variations, RCB’s bowlers can keep batsmen guessing, making it incredibly challenging to settle into a rhythm and accelerate the scoring rate effectively.
The commendation from a bowler of Hazlewood’s calibre not only boosts team morale but also validates the tactical foresight in assembling a bowling attack that prioritizes diversity and complementary skills. As the IPL season progresses, the potent partnership of Hazlewood and Kumar, backed by a versatile bowling unit, will undoubtedly be a key factor in RCB’s pursuit of glory.
