Former India player Aakash Chopra has added that Josh Hazlewood is an important cog in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) bowling department heading into the IPL 2025 final. He also added that the Australian pacer hasn’t lost a final to date. However, RCB will take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL 2025 final in Ahmedabad on
Tuesday, June 3.

Reflecting on the RCB bowling in a video shared on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “In fast bowling, Josh Hazlewood. He has not lost a final to date. To whichever final he has gone, whether it’s the BBL (Big Bash League), World Cup, or WTC (World Test Championship), he has never lost a final. He is playing another final.”

“As soon as he comes, there is an upgrade in RCB’s bowling. When he is not there, they go downwards. He is making that kind of a difference. Then, the way Yash Dayal bowled against Chennai in the end. Bhuvneshwar Kumar comes and dismisses batters with leg-cutters,” he further added.

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However, Aakash Chopra also stated that Krunal Pandya has had a great show as an all-rounder in IPL 2025 as well.

“Krunal Pandya, what a phenomenal story. Underrated once again. He has been playing for many years, but the performances have been okay. You say he is a defensive bowler and that he does a good job with the bat once in a while. You don’t stand up and take notice,” he said.

“You look more towards the younger brother. You look slightly less towards the elder brother, but he has won two Player of the Match awards. The innings he played in Delhi was his best-ever IPL knock. The way he bowled the last over in Mumbai, and the way Bengaluru beat Kolkata in the first match, where he picked up wickets, look at the contributions throughout the season,” Aakash Chopra concluded.