The Bowler Who Ended RCB's Wait
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won their first IPL title in 2025. The headlines rightly focused on Virat Kohli's batting, but the bowling analysis told a different story — Josh Hazlewood was the reason RCB could defend totals in a high-scoring era.
His final IPL 2025 numbers: 18 wickets in 15 matches, economy rate 7.41, average 18.8. Against a field of batting lineups designed to hit 180+, those numbers represent bowling excellence of the highest order.
The Economy Rate Paradox
Hazlewood's T20 economy rate — consistently between 7.40 and 8.20 in high-quality tournaments — raises an immediate question: how does a bowler who rarely bowls at more than 135-138 km/h post economies that betray some of the fastest bowlers in the world?
The answer is line and length precision at a level that almost no other bowler achieves.
Hazlewood's primary delivery lands in a 30cm × 30cm zone on a good length, angled across the right-hander, 5-6 inches outside off stump. From this consistent landing zone, he changes pace, seam orientation, and subtle trajectory variation — but the basic challenge for the batter never changes. They must play to a ball that is always potentially dangerous without offering anything loose.
IPL Career (2020–2025)
| Season | Team | Matches | Wickets | Econ | Ave | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | CSK | 8 | 8 | 8.10 | 24.0 | 3/12 |
| 2022 | RCB | 12 | 12 | 7.70 | 20.5 | 4/24 |
| 2023 | RCB | 14 | 15 | 7.95 | 21.3 | 3/22 |
| 2024 | RCB | 15 | 16 | 7.62 | 20.8 | 3/17 |
| 2025 | RCB | 15 | 18 | 7.41 | 18.8 | 4/21 |
The progressive improvement in economy across 2022-2025 reflects Hazlewood's growing knowledge of IPL venue conditions, batting tendencies, and his own optimal delivery patterns in the tournament.
Death Overs: The Yorker-Slower Ball Combination
Hazlewood's death bowling is built on the pairing of a full-pitched yorker at 136 km/h followed immediately by an off-cutter at 118 km/h. The pace differential — 18 km/h — is greater than most pace bowlers manage, making it one of the hardest variation sequences to play in world cricket.
The off-cutter from Hazlewood skids through off the seam at a trajectory that appears to be a drive-able half-volley until the batter is committed to the shot. At that point, the reduced pace means the ball arrives later than expected, the seam grip creates deviation off the pitch, and the result is a miscued drive or a bowled through the gap between bat and pad.
In IPL 2025, 11 of his 18 wickets came from variations — cutters, slower balls, changes of pace — rather than his stock delivery. This is a sophisticated bowler adapting to T20's demands without compromising his fundamental strengths.
RCB's Retention Decision in 2026
RCB retained Hazlewood ahead of IPL 2026 as part of their title-defence strategy. His retention alongside Kohli signals that the franchise views the 2025 title not as a one-off but as the foundation of a sustained period of competitiveness.
At 34 entering 2026, Hazlewood's physical management remains the primary variable. He has managed persistent injury risks throughout his career, but his IPL campaigns have largely been injury-free because the franchise manages his workload carefully.
IPL 2026 Expectations
If fit across the full campaign:
- 14-18 wickets expected
- Economy rate: 7.50-8.20 — remains his most important metric
- Death over economy of sub-9.50 targeted
- Key match-ups vs left-handed powerplay batters (his natural challenge)
FAQ
Q: How many wickets did Josh Hazlewood take in IPL 2025?
Josh Hazlewood took 18 wickets in IPL 2025 at an economy rate of 7.41, helping RCB win their first-ever IPL title in what was his most productive IPL season.
Q: Which team does Josh Hazlewood play for in IPL 2026?
Josh Hazlewood plays for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL 2026, having been retained by the franchise as a key component of their title-defence strategy following their 2025 championship win.
Q: What is Josh Hazlewood's IPL economy rate?
Hazlewood's career IPL economy rate is approximately 7.70-8.00, with his 2025 season posting 7.41 — one of the lowest among regular overseas pace bowlers in the tournament's history.
Q: What is Hazlewood's most effective delivery in T20 cricket?
Hazlewood's off-cutter is his most effective T20 variation — delivered at 18 km/h slower than his stock ball, it skids through off the seam after landing in a position that looks drivable, generating miscued drives and bowled dismissals at a high rate.
Q: Did Josh Hazlewood win the IPL?
Yes, Josh Hazlewood won the IPL with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2025, helping end the franchise's 17-year wait for a first IPL title. He was one of the most important bowlers in their title-winning campaign.