Regardless of his mood, Josh Hazlewood claims Virat Kohli gives the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) a “aura” that drives the Australian pacer to “battle” and provide his best effort. Hazlewood also claimed he “fully respects” Kohli’s contributions to the game and his attacking approach of batting.
After the team bought the pacer for 12.50 crore in the auction last year, Kohli and Hazlewood have been reunited at RCB. Both were quite important for RCB’s season-opening triumph against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). While Kohli put up an undefeated 59 (36) in the chase, Hazlewood removed the wickets of Quinton de Kock and Harshit Rana and bowled his four overs at a match-best economy rate of 5.50.
“You might show up for exercise feeling a little flat, merely going through the motions. You really get going, though, when you look down and see him 22 yards away. Training starts to resemble a battle. Particularly in the middle, he really exudes that vibe,” Hazlewood stated in a video for RCB Bold Diaries.
“I really like what he has done in the game and right now as well. One of those players that approaches you and strikes his shots is usually great since it advances the scoreboard. For us in any form, he is a massive wicket. He definitely pushes you in the nets since he has scored a lot of hundreds against us in all forms. You feel ready for the game by the time you finish, he said.
The chances of RCB depend much on Hazlewood this season. Among the tournament’s most underappreciated bowlers, he can run across 20 overs and is fairly flexible in Indian conditions.
Following the KKR game, he discussed how he was feeling—the “freshest” he has been in a long period this season.
“I feel like I got through the game very well,” the pacer who missed out on the 2025 Champions Trophy for an injury said. “I only four overs, even if the intensity is over the roof. This is most likely the freshest I have been in a long time; I feel I will keep developing over the tournament. Though it was difficult, I have worked a lot off the field to get back to this position; I believe both physically and mentally rejuvenated.
Now on Friday, RCB will fly to Chepauk to meet Chennai Super Kings for their second game of the season.
