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"Best Place To Bowl Was..." Josh Hazlewood Hits Back At Johnson’s IPL Criticism

Poulomi Chakraborty

Hazlewood Claps Back At Johnson Criticism (Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com)Hazlewood Claps Back At Johnson Criticism (Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com)

When IPL 2025 was postponed in early May, it hit overseas players the hardest, with many heading off for national duty. As Australian players didn’t come back once the tournament resumed, Josh Hazlewood returned to RCB colors and lifted the trophy for the team.

After the Aussie pacer took the step, former Aussie bowler Mitchell Johnson criticised the move. Months later, Hazlewood has delivered the perfect response to the criticism.

Hazlewood Strikes Back At Johnson’s Claim

IPL 2025’s second phase resumed after the suspension, and the franchises stepped in without their Australian stars as the World Test Championship was scheduled on June 11. But Aussie pacer Josh Hazlewood walked on a different path as he returned in IPL 2025 and lifted the first-ever IPL trophy for RCB.

When Josh Hazlewood returned to the IPL, former Aussie bowler Mitchell Johnson questioned his decision, raising concerns over players prioritising franchise cricket over national duty. Recently, when the Sydney Morning Herald asked Hazlewood about this, the bowler shared his honest take.

“I haven’t seen any of that, to be honest. We know what’s going on inside our rooms. It seemed far and away the best place to get ready for any type of cricket that was coming up. The weather was definitely a factor as well. Just getting over there and playing intense competition like that, it’s hard to replicate in training,” Hazlewood said.

“Sydney, it was raining and I had literally nowhere to bowl. I got to Brisbane for three or four days and it was very wet. We were lucky to get on. I just thought the best place to bowl was India. We were still in the competition, we were going to play the semis, and I was going to be there for 10 days. I think it was comfortably the best option,” he added.

Hazlewood Powers RCB To Historic Trophy Triumph

After 17 heartbreaks, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru fulfilled their biggest dream as they lifted their maiden IPL trophy. Behind the spectacular campaign, Josh Hazlewood was the star. Once criticised for bowling failure, RCB’s bowling squad got a huge boost with Josh Hazlewood’s arrival.

Hazlewood brought his pace magic alive throughout the tournament, picking up 22 wickets in just 12 matches, including a fiery four-wicket haul. In the purple cap list, he ended in third position with an economy rate of 8.77.