<p> Mullanpur: We often hear the phrase “no one is indispensable” at our workplaces. While it’s true to a large extent as there will be individuals who can perform the same task equally or better, in certain cases “some are just irreplaceable”. Josh Hazlewood is one such priceless asset at Royal Challengers Bengaluru.</p>.<p>A further proof of how invaluable Hazlewood has been to RCB’s bowling set-up came against Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 at the new PCA Stadium on Thursday. </p><p>Returning to action after more than a month on the sidelines after hurting his shoulder, the 6’5’’ Hazlewood showed no ring rust whatsoever, playing a key role in the overall decimation of a shell-shocked Punjab.</p>.<p>In his opening over, he prised out captain Shreyas Iyer, the heartbeat of Punjab’s batting, before sucking their life out in the very next over by dismissing the dangerous Josh Inglis. It was not just the wickets but the return of Hazlewood after a month of intense rehabilitation in Australia that gave a tremendous confidence-booster to his other fast-bowling colleagues Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal. Until Hazlewood hurt his shoulder in the game against Delhi Capitals on April 27, the Royal Challengers had conceded over 175 runs just twice and in excess of 200 just once in 10 games. But from the moment Hazlewood was gone, the bowling suddenly appeared directionless as they conceded 200-plus totals in all the subsequent completed games. Although RCB have the immensely experienced Bhuvneshwar, Hazlewood is the undisputed leader of the attack. He is metronomic and expertly implements his Test-bowling skills in T20s by maximising his strengths — using his tall frame to extract steep bounce from good lengths and mixing it up with clever variations and changes in pace. And if the pitch is helpful like the one on Thursday, he’s just a monster… No, sorry. “Hazlegod”, as the RCB fans like to call him. Hazlewood’s inputs on the field also help a young Dayal and his overall development. It’s the main reason why RCB splurged Rs 12.5 crore to regain his services. In 2022, Hazlewood was one of the standout bowlers for RCB with 20 wickets, and the Australian is yet again leading the show with 21 scalps in 11 games this season after missing the IPL last year.</p>.<p>RCB opener Phil Salt hailed Hazlewood’s return as “massive” in a post-match chat with broadcaster JioHotstar. “Josh is such a key figure for us -- not just with his bowling, because we know it’s world-class and what he does time and again -- but also as part of the bowling unit, that sort of calm head out there for everybody else to lean on. It’s massive.</p>.<p>Hazlewood, talking to the media post the emphatic 8-wicket win, said he’s glad to have made a telling comeback. “Worked really hard the last few weeks on the shoulders to get back and got some good overs into it the last sort of 10 days, and yeah it is feeling good to be back. I was happy with tonight, the wicket helped obviously. Not having to bowl fast yorkers or anything like that. So yeah, it is feeling good to be back.”</p>.<p>While Hazlewood’s main goal is to ensure Australia retains the World Test Championship trophy in the final against South Africa starting in Lord’s on June 11, his immediate agenda is to break nearly 18 years of heartbreak for RCB. On June 3, they will be playing in their fourth IPL final and first since 2016. The soft-spoken Hazlewood would be itching to be the biggest difference-maker and attain true “Godly” status.</p>
<p> Mullanpur: We often hear the phrase “no one is indispensable” at our workplaces. While it’s true to a large extent as there will be individuals who can perform the same task equally or better, in certain cases “some are just irreplaceable”. Josh Hazlewood is one such priceless asset at Royal Challengers Bengaluru.</p>.<p>A further proof of how invaluable Hazlewood has been to RCB’s bowling set-up came against Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 at the new PCA Stadium on Thursday. </p><p>Returning to action after more than a month on the sidelines after hurting his shoulder, the 6’5’’ Hazlewood showed no ring rust whatsoever, playing a key role in the overall decimation of a shell-shocked Punjab.</p>.<p>In his opening over, he prised out captain Shreyas Iyer, the heartbeat of Punjab’s batting, before sucking their life out in the very next over by dismissing the dangerous Josh Inglis. It was not just the wickets but the return of Hazlewood after a month of intense rehabilitation in Australia that gave a tremendous confidence-booster to his other fast-bowling colleagues Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal. Until Hazlewood hurt his shoulder in the game against Delhi Capitals on April 27, the Royal Challengers had conceded over 175 runs just twice and in excess of 200 just once in 10 games. But from the moment Hazlewood was gone, the bowling suddenly appeared directionless as they conceded 200-plus totals in all the subsequent completed games. Although RCB have the immensely experienced Bhuvneshwar, Hazlewood is the undisputed leader of the attack. He is metronomic and expertly implements his Test-bowling skills in T20s by maximising his strengths — using his tall frame to extract steep bounce from good lengths and mixing it up with clever variations and changes in pace. And if the pitch is helpful like the one on Thursday, he’s just a monster… No, sorry. “Hazlegod”, as the RCB fans like to call him. Hazlewood’s inputs on the field also help a young Dayal and his overall development. It’s the main reason why RCB splurged Rs 12.5 crore to regain his services. In 2022, Hazlewood was one of the standout bowlers for RCB with 20 wickets, and the Australian is yet again leading the show with 21 scalps in 11 games this season after missing the IPL last year.</p>.<p>RCB opener Phil Salt hailed Hazlewood’s return as “massive” in a post-match chat with broadcaster JioHotstar. “Josh is such a key figure for us -- not just with his bowling, because we know it’s world-class and what he does time and again -- but also as part of the bowling unit, that sort of calm head out there for everybody else to lean on. It’s massive.</p>.<p>Hazlewood, talking to the media post the emphatic 8-wicket win, said he’s glad to have made a telling comeback. “Worked really hard the last few weeks on the shoulders to get back and got some good overs into it the last sort of 10 days, and yeah it is feeling good to be back. I was happy with tonight, the wicket helped obviously. Not having to bowl fast yorkers or anything like that. So yeah, it is feeling good to be back.”</p>.<p>While Hazlewood’s main goal is to ensure Australia retains the World Test Championship trophy in the final against South Africa starting in Lord’s on June 11, his immediate agenda is to break nearly 18 years of heartbreak for RCB. On June 3, they will be playing in their fourth IPL final and first since 2016. The soft-spoken Hazlewood would be itching to be the biggest difference-maker and attain true “Godly” status.</p>