The 24th match of IPL 2025 will be played today between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Delhi Capitals (DC) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The game begins at 7:30 PM IST, and one of the key battles to watch will be between Josh Hazlewood and KL Rahul.
Hazlewood is RCB’s pace leader, known for his tight line and bounce. KL Rahul, the experienced DC opener, is known for his calmness and ability to play long innings. Let’s look at how these two have performed against each other in IPL and T20s.
Josh Hazlewood vs KL Rahul – IPL Head-to-Head Stats
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Innings Faced | 4 |
| Runs Scored | 44 |
| Balls Faced | 32 |
| Strike Rate | 137.50 |
| 4s | 3 |
| 6s | 3 |
| Times Dismissed | 1 |
| SR per Over | 8.25 |
✅ Summary: In the IPL, Rahul has played Hazlewood with some aggression, scoring 44 runs in 32 balls, with a strike rate of 137.5. However, Hazlewood has also dismissed him once, keeping it a balanced contest.
Josh Hazlewood vs KL Rahul – T20 Head-to-Head Stats (All T20s)
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Innings Faced | 7 |
| Runs Scored | 72 |
| Balls Faced | 49 |
| Strike Rate | 146.93 |
| 4s | 5 |
| 6s | 5 |
| Times Dismissed | 2 |
| SR per Over | 8.81 |
Insight: Across all T20s, Rahul has scored 72 runs from 49 balls against Hazlewood and has been dismissed twice. His strike rate is strong at nearly 147, showing that he plays attacking cricket against Hazlewood.
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Expert Analysis – Key Battle in Powerplay
- Hazlewood usually bowls 2–3 overs in the powerplay, and this is where Rahul opens the innings.
- Rahul likes to take calculated risks early, while Hazlewood aims to keep it tight with line and length.
- So far, this battle has been fairly even, with both players having their moments.
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What Could Happen Today?
- The Chinnaswamy pitch is great for batting, so Rahul might look to attack Hazlewood early.
- However, if Hazlewood gets some early swing or bounce, he can get Rahul out and put DC under pressure.
- A wicket in the powerplay can shift momentum in RCB’s favor.
In the Hazlewood vs KL Rahul match-up, both players have shown quality – Rahul with aggressive strokeplay and Hazlewood with tight, smart bowling. With the match being played at a high-scoring venue, this battle could be a turning point in today’s game.
If Rahul survives Hazlewood’s opening spell, DC could get off to a flying start. But if Hazlewood wins the contest early, RCB will take control.
