IPL 2025: This is probably the freshest I’ve been in a long time, says Hazlewood after setting up RCB’s win over KKR

IPL 2025: This is probably the freshest I’ve been in a long time, says Hazlewood after setting up RCB’s win over KKR

Having played a crucial role in restricting defending champion Kolkata Knight Riders to 174 and contributing to Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s comprehensive seven-wicket win in the Indian Premier League season opener at the Eden Garden here on Saturday night, RCB pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood said he bowled according to the conditions.

“It was sort of just sticking in the pitch a little bit. The bounce was quite good. I like bowling here at Eden Gardens and we just sort of stuck to our lengths,” said Hazlewood, who returned figures of two for 22 including the wicket of Quinton de Kock, in the post-match press conference.

“KP (Krunal Pandya) bowled beautifully through the middle and luckily we got to bowl at sort of the tail towards the end. The hard lengths work best out here most of the time.”

Hazlewood, who worked hard to come back following a hip injury, said, “I got through the match very well. I’ll just keep building throughout the tournament and this is probably the freshest I’ve been in a long time.”

KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane backed his players. “I don’t want to pinpoint certain things. As a team, in a few areas we did really well. There’re always areas we can improve as a team, as individuals.

“Important was after 13-14 overs, how they (RCB) bowled and picked up wickets. That was the momentum changer. Guys who got out in the middle overs, they actually did well for us in the past. I’m going to back them,” said Rahane.