The return of Josh Hazlewood and the rise of Rasikh Dar have given Royal ​Challengers Bengaluru’s bowling unit real depth and helped the defending ‌Indian Premier League (IPL) champion move top of the ​standings with a win over Lucknow Super ⁠Giants on Wednesday.

Bengaluru defeated Lucknow by five wickets to draw level on eight points with Rajasthan Royals, edging ahead on net ‌run-rate.

While veteran batter Virat Kohli remains the headline act and is the leading IPL run-scorer this ‌season with 228 runs, it is the depth ‌of ⁠the bowling unit that has underpinned Bengaluru’s ⁠early consistency.

Australia quick Hazlewood struggled with hamstring and Achilles injuries last year and missed the T20 World Cup, but after being eased back ​slowly into Bengaluru’s campaign, ‌he is starting to look sharper, vice-captain Jitesh Sharma said.

“He’s got rest, so he becomes quicker, fitter. He’s very confident about his body now,” he told reporters.

“He ‌has worked really hard on his injury and ​he’s like a more improved player than last year.”

Hazlewood’s comeback has coincided with the emergence ⁠of uncapped pacer Dar, who was signed for 60 million Indian rupees ($643,245) ahead of the 2025 season as a ‌long-term investment.

Dar featured only twice during last year’s title run, with Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal the established pace options.

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.

Hazlewood complemented the ‌effort with a miserly one for 20, while Krunal Pandya provided control through ​the middle overs.

“He (Dar) has worked a lot on yorkers and slower ones. He knew the ⁠IPL was around the corner and how one has to ⁠be perfect to play with a certain intensity,” said Jitesh.

“Errors will be there, so you practise ‌so much that it becomes muscle memory. That’s what helps you perform under pressure.”

Bengaluru next hosts Delhi Capitals ​on Saturday. 

Published on Apr 16, 2026