The return of Josh Hazlewood and the rise of Rasikh Dar have given Royal \u200bChallengers Bengaluru\u2019s bowling unit real depth and helped the defending \u200cIndian Premier League (IPL) champion move top of the \u200bstandings with a win over Lucknow Super \u2060Giants on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Bengaluru defeated Lucknow by five wickets to draw level on eight points with Rajasthan Royals, edging ahead on net \u200crun-rate.<\/p>\n
While veteran batter Virat Kohli remains the headline act and is the leading IPL run-scorer this \u200cseason with 228 runs, it is the depth \u200cof \u2060the bowling unit that has underpinned Bengaluru\u2019s \u2060early consistency.<\/p>\n
Australia quick Hazlewood struggled with hamstring and Achilles injuries last year and missed the T20 World Cup, but after being eased back \u200bslowly into Bengaluru\u2019s campaign, \u200che is starting to look sharper, vice-captain Jitesh Sharma said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s got rest, so he becomes quicker, fitter. He\u2019s very confident about his body now,\u201d he told reporters.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe \u200chas worked really hard on his injury and \u200bhe\u2019s like a more improved player than last year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hazlewood\u2019s comeback has coincided with the emergence \u2060of uncapped pacer Dar, who was signed for 60 million Indian rupees ($643,245) ahead of the 2025 season as a \u200clong-term investment.<\/p>\n
Dar featured only twice during last year\u2019s title run, with Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal the established pace options.<\/p>\n
Against Lucknow, Dar rewarded that patience, combining with Hazlewood on a dry surface to deny Lucknow any early momentum and returning figures of four for 24.<\/p>\n
Hazlewood complemented the \u200ceffort with a miserly one for 20, while Krunal Pandya provided control through \u200bthe middle overs.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe (Dar) has worked a lot on yorkers and slower ones. He knew the \u2060IPL was around the corner and how one has to \u2060be perfect to play with a certain intensity,\u201d said Jitesh.<\/p>\n
\u201cErrors will be there, so you practise \u200cso much that it becomes muscle memory. That\u2019s what helps you perform under pressure.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bengaluru next hosts Delhi Capitals \u200bon Saturday.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Published on Apr 16, 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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