According to Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, Virat Kohli, the talisman for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), makes team training a rigorous procedure that benefits them in the long run. For ₹12.5 crore, RCB purchased Hazlewood at the November 2024 mega auction.
The 34-year-old pacer said the former RCB skipper had a “aura about him” when he was out in the middle, and he admired his fitness regimen.
“You might show up to training feeling a bit flat, just going through the motions. But when you look down and see him 22 yards away, it really kicks you into gear. Training becomes a battle. Especially in the middle, he definitely has that aura about him,” Hazlewood said on RCB Bold Diaries.
Hazlewood expressed his admiration for Kohli’s performance during the match. The right-handed batsman, who is 36 years old, is still a valuable wicket in any version of the game, he added.
“I fully respect what he’s done in the game and what he’s still doing now. He’s a huge wicket for us in any format. He’s scored a lot of hundreds against us in all formats, so in the nets, he really pushes you. By the time you finish, you feel ready for the game,” Hazlewood said.
RCB Rely on Josh Hazlewood’s Experience to Overcome CSK Challenge on Friday
On Friday, March 28, RCB will depend on Hazlewood to score early with the new ball against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). In the first over of RCB’s IPL 2025 match against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the lanky Australian pacer set the tone for his team by dismissing Quinton de Kock. The tone of the match between the bitter rivals may be determined by his encounter with the highly effective Rachin Ravindra.
Hazlewood stands as one of the rare instances who competed in the IPL for both RCB and CSK. The 2021 IPL championship title was won by Chennai-based squad where Hazlewood participated in the matches held in the United Arab Emirates. His tally of 11 wickets at 8.37 economy rate came through nine matches during that particular season.
He grabbed 20 wickets for the team in his debut season after being purchased by RCB in the 2022 IPL auction. He was released by the IPL and failed to sell at the auction before the 2024 season of the competition, following a poor second season in 2023.
