Josh Hazlewood Praises Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Compares Bowling Duo to Starc and Cummins

Josh Hazlewood has drawn a striking parallel between his current bowling partnership with Bhuvneshwar Kumar at Royal Challengers Bengaluru and his long-standing roles alongside Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc for Australia — and it’s a comparison that speaks volumes.

Bhuvi’s Purple Cap Brilliance

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has emerged as one of the standout performers of the IPL 2025 season, currently leading the Purple Cap charts with 22 wickets from just 12 matches. Known for his unwavering accuracy, subtle swing, and relentless line and length, the veteran Indian pacer has been a constant threat with the new ball, especially on flat batting surfaces where control is king.

Teaming up with Hazlewood, the duo has formed what many are calling the most effective pace pair of this year’s tournament. Their dominance in the powerplay has stifled oppositions early, while their economy and composure during death overs have further amplified RCB’s bowling depth.

“It’s Like Bowling with Patty and Starcy”

In a glowing endorsement, Hazlewood compared the synergy he shares with Bhuvneshwar to his experiences with Australia’s premier pace trio. “It’s a little bit like bowling with Patty [Pat Cummins] and Starcy [Mitchell Starc] for Australia,” Hazlewood told ESPNcricinfo. “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.”

The 35-year-old lanky pacer emphasized how their contrasting yet complementary styles create uncertainty for batters — a hallmark of elite bowling units. Over the past two seasons, Hazlewood has valued this balance, noting that such mix ensures teams can’t easily read the threat.

Resilience in Challenging Conditions

Despite picking up 11 wickets in nine games this season, Hazlewood’s value extends beyond just numbers. He highlighted what he considers true pride in bowling: the ability to rebound after a rough start.

“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 said. He also pointed to resilience as a hallmark of top pacers: “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.”

RCB’s Well-Rounded Attack

Hazlewood also praised the overall balance of RCB’s bowling unit this season. With Yash Dayal absent, he noted how Rasikh Salam has seamlessly filled the left-arm pacer role. The presence of Suyash Sharma (legspinner) and Krunal Pandya (left-arm spinner) adds variety, making RCB’s attack multifaceted.

“It feels a bit like Australia — every base is covered,” Hazlewood observed. “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.”

As RCB continue their push for a playoff spot, Hazlewood’s words underscore a quiet confidence in their bowling setup — one built not on firepower alone, but on strategy, adaptability, and trusted partnerships forged through precision and experience.