Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) suffered their third consecutive home defeat in IPL 2025, this time against Punjab Kings. Senior pacer Josh Hazlewood didn’t hold back in his post-match remarks, expressing frustration over RCB’s inability to adapt and learn from previous mistakes.
RCB’s Struggles Continue at Home
The rain-shortened match at Chinnaswamy Stadium saw RCB lose by five wickets to PBKS. Hazlewood pointed out that the team had not applied lessons from earlier losses to Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals.
“We’ve probably been a bit slow on the learnings from the first two games,” Hazlewood said.
Unfamiliar Conditions at Chinnaswamy
Traditionally known for high-scoring games, the Chinnaswamy pitch has surprised players this season with inconsistent bounce. Hazlewood noted that the unpredictable surface has unsettled RCB’s batters.
“It’s not a typical Chinnaswamy wicket,” he observed, echoing concerns previously raised by mentor Dinesh Karthik.
Bowling Improvements but More Work Needed
Despite the defeat, Hazlewood saw some progress in the bowling unit. He praised the bowlers for stepping up but admitted the team is still behind where it should be.
“The bowling definitely improved from the last two outings,” he said, though cautioning that it’s not enough.
Batting Needs More Focus and Stability
Hazlewood also called out the batting department, suggesting a more composed approach. He emphasized the importance of the top order batting through the innings and building partnerships.
“Maybe it might be a case of pulling back a touch and giving yourself a little bit of time,” he advised.
Time for Reflection and Action
Looking ahead, Hazlewood called for serious introspection as RCB prepares to return to Bangalore. He stressed the need to review games thoroughly and find actionable solutions.
“We’ll dive into this game… and come up with a few ideas of where we can learn and improve,” he concluded.
RCB now faces mounting pressure to turn things around quickly if they hope to stay in the playoff race in IPL 2025.
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