Josh Hazlewood Compares Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Starc and Cummins
A Dynamic Pace Partnership in the Making
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are currently riding a wave of momentum in the IPL 2026 season. With 16 points secured from 12 matches, the defending champions are firmly positioned at the top of the table. As they prepare to face the struggling Punjab Kings in match 61, the discourse surrounding the team has shifted toward the remarkable synergy within their bowling unit—specifically, the evolving partnership between Josh Hazlewood and the veteran spearhead, Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, whose resurgence has been one of the standout narratives of the tournament, has earned the ultimate compliment from his Australian teammate. Hazlewood, a stalwart of fast bowling, recently drew a direct comparison between the Indian swing master and two of the most fearsome pacers in world cricket: Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc.
The Art of Bowling Balance
Speaking ahead of the crucial away fixture in Dharamsala, Hazlewood explained the technical nuances that make the RCB attack so difficult to face. According to the Australian speedster, the effectiveness of their bowling lineup lies in the diverse skill sets of its members.
“It’s a little bit like bowling with Patty [Pat Cummins] and Starcy [Mitchell Starc] for Australia,” Hazlewood noted. “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.” This tactical variety allows the RCB captain to rotate his bowlers according to the surface, ensuring that batters are constantly forced to adjust to changing lengths and trajectories.
The Purple Cap Narrative
The numbers certainly back up Hazlewood’s high praise. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been nothing short of sensational throughout the 2026 campaign. Currently the holder of the prestigious Purple Cap, the 36-year-old has dismantled opposition lineups with clinical precision. In 12 innings, he has claimed 22 wickets at a remarkable bowling average of 16.13.
His ability to maintain discipline while consistently taking wickets has been the bedrock of RCB’s success. A recent masterclass against the Mumbai Indians, where he produced figures of 4-23 in Raipur, served as a timely reminder of his enduring class. While Hazlewood himself has contributed 11 wickets, he has openly acknowledged that Bhuvneshwar’s role in pinning down the opposition has been instrumental in the team’s ability to defend totals and chase effectively.
Approaching the Playoffs
The stakes for the upcoming match against the Punjab Kings at the HPCA Stadium could not be higher. Having defeated the Kolkata Knight Riders in a tense, final-over thriller last week, the RCB camp is brimming with confidence. A victory this Sunday would not only guarantee their spot in the top four but would also solidify their claim for a top-two finish, offering them a significant advantage in the knockout stages.
Under the current leadership, the squad has shown a level of resilience that mirrors their championship-winning run from 2025. With a formidable Net Run Rate of 1.053 and a bowling attack that is firing on all cylinders, the team appears to be peaking at exactly the right time. Whether Bhuvneshwar can maintain his Purple Cap-winning form through the playoffs remains to be seen, but with the support of a seasoned campaigner like Hazlewood, the RCB bowling attack looks as balanced and dangerous as ever.
The match is scheduled for 3:30 PM IST, and all eyes will be on whether the veteran duo can once again stifle the opposition and lead the defending champions one step closer to retaining their trophy.
