Josh Hazlewood's Stellar IPL Performance Boosts RCB Ahead of WTC Final

Hazlewood's Impressive Comeback in IPL 2025

Josh Hazlewood has made a remarkable return in IPL 2025, showcasing outstanding performance after a brief break. His comeback has significantly strengthened the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) as they approach the World Test Championship (WTC) Final. Scheduled to commence on June 11 at Lord's against South Africa, Hazlewood is gradually regaining his form, with the IPL serving as the perfect stage for building momentum.

While Hazlewood has excelled in Test cricket, he has also developed a strong reputation as a T20 bowler in recent years. During a match on Thursday night in Mullanpur, he dismantled the Punjab Kings' batting order, securing three vital wickets.

Hazlewood has been a crucial part of RCB's bowling attack, having played only 11 matches yet emerging as the leading wicket-taker with 21 dismissals. Following RCB's commanding victory over Punjab Kings, he shared his thoughts on participating in the IPL while the WTC Final looms.

He stated, 'I’ve got to be bowling, you know wherever I am in the world, I’ve got to be bowling getting ready for that game (WTC final) anyway.' Hazlewood emphasized the importance of playing in the IPL, saying, 'There’s no better place than I think out in the middle. Obviously, you’ve got to bowl more, more hours of training from time to time to build up for a Test, but to get that intensity right up, there’s no better place than the IPL,' after achieving impressive figures of 3/21.

He added, 'I don’t bowl too much differently in Test match cricket than tonight. So, I was happy with tonight; the wicket helped obviously didn’t it? Not having to bowl fast yorkers or anything like that. So yeah, it is feeling good to be back.'