Cricket 2026: Fans in awe over Josh Hazlewood display amid moment not seen in nine years

Aussie fast-bowler Josh Hazlewood has torn the Delhi Capitals apart with a four-wicket haul having helped his cricket team to a nine-wicket victory in the IPL. Hazelwood equalled his best ever T20 bowling figures taking 4-12 off 3.3 overs as the Capitals only managed to score 75.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was equally as impressive having taken 3-5 with the Capitals having no answer against the fast-bowling duo. Hazlewood has been stellar since his return from injury. Hazlewood was unfortunate to miss the entire Ashes series having suffered two seperate leg injuries.

The Aussie bowler also missed the T20 World Cup for Australia in a dire tournament for the nation. Although Hazlewood marked his return to cricket action two weeks ago in the IPL and looks to have quickly found his form helping the Royal Challengers Bengaluru to another victory.

The Capitals were reeling at 6-8, but Abishek Porel (30) and David Miller (19) managed to lead a mini-fightback and avoid the lowest total ever recorded in the IPL. Unfortunately, it was the lowest total from the franchise since 2017 when they were known as the Daredevils.

And it didn't take long for Virat Kohli to make history and become the first player to surpass 9,000 IPL runs with his 29 not out. No other players has gone past 8,000 runs. The Challengers won after just 6.6 overs.

While Kumar was in sensational form, Hazlewood took the plaudits with the player-of-the-match award. And his teammates were also full of praise.

Cricket world praises Josh Hazlewood's return

Devdutt Padikkal finished not out alongside Kohli to helo guide the Challengers home. And he was full of praise for Hazlewood and Kumar who set up the game for them.

"Those guys are so good with the new ball," he said after the game. "In the slips, I'm expecting a catch every ball, and that's not something you'd say in a T20, but when those two are bowling, every ball is an opportunity." Fans were quick to praise the Aussie quick who has returned after months out to deliver a number of match-winning performances.

Hazlewood himself admitted he was happy the pitch favoured the bowlers this time with the IPL seeing some massive scores in the opening rounds. "Probably turning up here after 500-plus runs in the last game, you don't expect that," he smiled.

Although Hazlewood admitted it would have been nice to see out his four overs and potentially be subbed off after his contribution. "It would have been nice to bowl four-straight and get off the field," he sighed.

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