Not a typical chinnaswamy wicket, and was also slow to learn: Hazlewood

Bengaluru, April 19 (PTI) Royal Challengers Bengaluru Pacer Josh Hazlewood said an atypical Chinnaswamy tone and the batsmen’s inability to place learning from previous matches in practice contributed to the third direct defeat of his team. The Royal Challengers succumbed to Punjab Kings in a 14-over-a-team match on Friday night after losing earlier Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals. “Yes, I think it’s not a typical wicket chinnaswamy. It was clear that the bounce has always been there, but it has been in recent years, it was probably more consistent,” Hazlewood said at the press conference after the match. It can be remembered that RCB mentor Dinesh Karthik was also not satisfied with the 22-Yard strip presented here and wanted to talk to the local curator after their defeat against the capitals. Hazlewood said the lack of a strong power -up segment added to RCB’s misery. “Yes, of course, it is three (defeats) in a row now at home. It’s just a little sluggish on the learning of the first two games and didn’t bring it into practice as well, probably in the first probably six to eight overs, of course, with the point as it was,” he added. However, the New South Wallet man was confident in the ability of his team to end the frustrating trend as early as possible. “But we will go into this game, and you know, probably more, as we return to Bangalore and really in detail and go with a fine tooth comb and come up some ideas where we can learn and improve.” I think the bowling has definitely improved from the last two excursions. So kind of us are getting there slowly, but probably not fast enough, “he said. Hazlewood had a word of advice to his colleagues in the Kolffront – step back for a moment and try to judge the circumstances before going for big shots.” This is perhaps a case of pulling back a little and giving yourself some time. I know in the first two games we lost here, it was a batter on the other team that grew up and got a partnership and was late in the game. “So if we can have our top five, top six doing the batting for the 20 overs, I think it will be a long way to help us win,” he explained. Nehal beat very well: Brar ========================== Punjab Kings spinner Harpreet Brar paid handsome compliments to middle-order batter Nehal Wadhera for managing a small chase with calm. Wadhera’s unbeaten 33 out of 19 balls certainly tilted the balance of the game in favor of PBKS in the 96 chase after the tourists were on a slightly difficult 53 for four. “Nehal is a very good player. He has been playing in the IPL for the past 2-3 years. He is doing well. bowling in the end phase of the RCB turn. You can overcome any time. I was ready. It was my first game of the season. I didn’t know that I would bowl the last ear, “he added. First published: 19 Apr 2025, 11:05 am Ist