Josh Hazlewood Compares Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Starc and Cummins
A Seamless Transition in the Pace Attack
In the high-stakes environment of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the chemistry between bowlers can often be the difference between a title run and an early exit. For Josh Hazlewood, the transition from international cricket to the franchise setup has been made remarkably smooth thanks to the presence of veteran Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Hazlewood, widely regarded as one of the most accurate bowlers in the world, has admitted that he feels no void left by the absence of his Australian counterparts, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, when he stands at the top of his mark next to Kumar.
The Purple Cap Contender
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been a revelation this season, sitting firmly atop the Purple Cap standings with an impressive tally of 22 wickets in just 12 matches. His ability to move the ball early and maintain a disciplined line has made him a nightmare for opening batters. Hazlewood notes that Kumar’s mastery with the new ball is a cornerstone of their success. While the wickets columns are important, it is the control and the tactical versatility that Kumar brings to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) bowling unit that Hazlewood truly values.
Tactical Balance: The Key to Success
The Australian pacer elaborated on the stylistic synergy that makes their partnership so effective. While Kumar excels at pitching the ball up to find swing, Hazlewood focuses on hitting the seam and extracting bounce from the surface. This variety ensures that opposing batters never settle into a rhythm, as they are constantly forced to adjust to different lengths and trajectories. According to Hazlewood, this ‘balance’ is exactly what he has experienced while playing for Australia, where he typically operates in a trio with Starc and Cummins. By diversifying the attack, the bowlers make it significantly harder for the batting side to build momentum.
The Art of Resilience
Beyond the technical aspects, Hazlewood brings a wealth of experience regarding the mental fortitude required to survive in the IPL. He points out that true quality in a bowler is not just found in taking wickets on helpful pitches, but in the ability to limit damage on flat tracks. For Hazlewood, the most satisfying performances occur when a bowler concedes 40 runs on a night where others are going for 60. He emphasizes that overcoming a poor start—such as being hit for 20 runs in an opening over—and fighting back with precision yorkers and clever changes of pace is what defines a top-tier cricketer. It is this resilience that he prides himself on, and it is a trait he clearly respects in his current RCB teammates.
Building a Complete Bowling Unit
Hazlewood also touched upon the broader composition of the RCB squad, highlighting the team’s intentional design to cover every base. The current lineup features a healthy mix of styles, including the left-arm angle provided by Rasikh Salam, the craft of leg-spin from Suyash Sharma, and the control offered by left-arm spinners like Krunal Pandya. Having such a diverse array of skills prevents batters from getting a ‘read’ on the bowling style. Hazlewood compared this depth to the Australian national team, where the strategic layering of bowlers creates a multifaceted threat that is difficult for any opponent to dismantle. In a tournament as unpredictable as the IPL, this level of tactical depth is exactly what teams require to maintain consistency throughout a grueling season. As the campaign progresses, the partnership between the seasoned Indian veteran and the methodical Australian marksman remains one of the most intriguing and effective storylines in the competition.
