Image: Hazlewood's brilliance lifts RCB as their bowlers finally shine through / © India Today
Over the years, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru is often considered a team which has got a superb batting line up and has always got the top players like Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, KL Rahul, Shane Watson, Yuvraj Singh and many more in the batting order who have been consistent with their batting and have often got big scores for the team. However, with so much focus on the batting lineup, the bowlers of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru are often overshadowed which has been the reason why the team hasn’t been able to win a single title in the past 17 years.
But in the IPL 2025 season, things seem to be changing and the bowling line up of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru looks completely threatening. The recent game against Rajasthan Royals at Chinnaswamy Stadium proved just that, as Josh Hazlewood led the attack with a sensational four-wicket haul, turning the match in RCB’s favour when it seemed like it could slip away.
Hazlewood’s calm under pressure and his incredible execution in the penultimate over sealed the deal for Bengaluru. With 18 runs needed off the last 12 balls, Hazlewood gave away just one run and took two wickets in two balls, breaking the back of the Royals’ chase. He had already dismissed the dangerous Yashasvi Jaiswal earlier, who had blazed his way to 49 off just 19 balls.
Hazlewood’s figures of 4 for 33 not only dismantled the middle order but also displayed why he is among the most reliable pacers in world cricket. But what’s making this RCB bowling unit stand out this season is the collective effort. Hazlewood has found a perfect partner in Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has been smart with the new ball and tricky in the death overs.
Add to that the youth of Yash Dayal, the spin control of Krunal Pandya, and the mystery element of Suyash Sharma, and RCB finally have a bowling unit that’s balanced, versatile, and most importantly, effective. This five-man attack offers the team a mix of pace, swing, variations, and spin that can adapt to different conditions. And for the first time in many seasons, RCB’s bowling looks capable of defending totals and even winning games on its own, just as it did against Rajasthan.
At the auction table, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru managed to make their bowling lineup a star one when the team managed to buy the pair of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood, who have been two of the most experienced pacers in world cricket. Along with them, the inclusion of Yash Dayal, Krunal Pandya, and Suyash Sharma gave RCB a mix of pace and spin that finally seems to be delivering results in the IPL 2025 season. For years, RCB has been known for its explosive batting lineup but lacked consistency in the bowling department. This season, however, things appear to have changed, and their bowling unit looks far more balanced and effective.
Leading the attack is Josh Hazlewood, who has been in sensational form. In 9 matches, the Australian quick has bowled 32.5 overs and picked up 16 wickets at an average of just 17.18. His best bowling performance so far has been 4 for 33, and he has maintained a strike rate of 12.3, which means he gets a wicket almost every two overs. Though his economy rate of 8.37 is slightly on the higher side, Hazlewood’s ability to break partnerships and deliver under pressure has been crucial for RCB.
| Player | Matches | Innings | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Best Bowling Innings | Average | Economy | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Hazlewood | 9 | 9 | 32.5 | 275 | 16 | 4/33 | 17.18 | 8.37 | 12.3 |
| Krunal Pandya | 9 | 9 | 28.0 | 248 | 12 | 4/45 | 20.66 | 8.85 | 14.0 |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 8 | 8 | 30.0 | 251 | 9 | 2/26 | 27.88 | 8.36 | 20.0 |
| Yash Dayal | 9 | 9 | 28.0 | 263 | 8 | 2/18 | 32.87 | 9.39 | 21.0 |
| Suyash Sharma | 8 | 8 | 31.0 | 257 | 4 | 2/26 | 64.25 | 8.29 | 46.5 |
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the seasoned Indian pacer, has played 8 games and bowled 30 overs, picking up 9 wickets with a best of 2 for 26. His average of 27.88 and economy of 8.36 may not seem too flashy, but he has been consistently bowling in the powerplay and death overs, where it is tough to contain runs. Bhuvneshwar’s experience and control with the new ball have given RCB strong starts with the ball.
Krunal Pandya, the left-arm spinner, has also chipped in well. In 9 matches, he has taken 12 wickets from 28 overs with a best of 4 for 45. He has a bowling average of 20.66 and a strike rate of 14.0, showing his ability to provide breakthroughs in the middle overs. Though his economy of 8.85 is a bit expensive, his wicket-taking ability balances it out. Yash Dayal has been a useful supporting bowler, delivering 28 overs across 9 matches and picking 8 wickets. His average is 32.87 and economy stands at 9.39, which shows he still has room to improve in terms of control, but he has shown promise with his pace and variations.
Suyash Sharma, the young leg-spinner, has bowled 31 overs in 8 matches but has managed only 4 wickets with an average of 64.25. While he’s been economical at 8.29, he has struggled to pick up wickets, which is an area RCB would hope to improve. Overall, RCB’s bowling unit in 2025 finally seems to have the variety, experience, and balance it lacked in previous seasons. Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar provide the leadership, while Krunal adds spin and control. If Yash and Suyash can deliver more consistently, RCB’s bowling attack could turn out to be one of the best this season.