Hazlewood Leads Bengaluru to IPL Opening Victory over Kolkata

Josh Hazlewood showcased his value to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru by delivering an impressive performance in their opening match of the Indian Premier League (IPL), where they defeated the Kolkata Knight Riders by seven wickets. Hazlewood, who rejoined the team after being bought for 125 million Indian rupees, took 2 wickets for 22 runs, demonstrating his skills despite missing Australia's Champions Trophy due to injury. He emphasized feeling refreshed and ready to contribute throughout the tournament, highlighting a strong opening partnership between Phil Salt and Virat Kohli that set the tone for the win. Hazlewood praised Salt's performance, noting that the new cycle in the IPL has brought fresh talent that played a crucial role in their success. The team is set to face Chennai Super Kings next, continuing their campaign in the league.