In a format which places high value on variations and innovations, Josh Hazlewood has stuck to the tried and trusted.

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fast bowler revels in honing in on a hard length, making it tough for batters to get under and slog.

This classical approach has worked well not just in the two IPL matches he has played thus far, but in the previous season as well.

Now back to full fitness, Hazlewood is a natural fit as leader of the RCB attack.

“We see different bowlers in our group have different styles, so I try to copy a different ball here and there. But at the same time, you first and foremost rely on your strengths. Obviously, my strength is hitting the length, and hitting it hard. It’s not about floating the ball up; it’s not about digging it in. It is about making it hard for the batter to hit me off that length,” Hazlewood said on the eve of RCB’s game against Delhi Capitals.

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The 35-year-old is doubly dangerous if the pitch is not a batting beauty, as seen in RCB’s fixture against Lucknow Super Giants here on Wednesday.

“The other night, the pitch actually helped a little bit. It was hard to time the ball; the pitch was a bit up-and-down. If you’re on a nice glassy pitch and everything’s coming onto the bat nicely, then things have to change, and you try a few different things,” Hazlewood said.

Published on Apr 17, 2026