Josh Hazlewood raves about Virat Kohli's 'aura', says RCB great forces him to ‘battle’: 'You show up feeling flat...'

Josh Hazlewood made a return to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ahead of the ongoing season, with the franchise snapping him up for INR 12.50 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction. Hazlewood produced an impressive performance in the opening game of the season, registering figures of 2/22 in four overs against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders.

Hazlewood also reunited with RCB's legendary batter, Virat Kohli, in the dressing room and, in a video for the franchise, opened up about the experience of bowling to Kohli in the RCB nets – an experience that, according to him, is as demanding as it is inspiring.

Hazlewood admitted that training sessions with Kohli are never routine. The former India captain’s relentless approach forces his teammates to be at their best, even during practice.

“You might show up to training feeling a bit flat, just going through the motions. But when you look down and see him 22 yards away, it really kicks you into gear. Training becomes a battle, especially in the middle. He definitely has that aura about him,” Hazlewood said in a video on RCB Bold Diaries.

The Australian quick also highlighted how Kohli’s aggressive style keeps the tempo high, ensuring that RCB’s batting unit maintains a high-intensity approach.

“I fully respect what he's done in the game and what he's still doing now. He's one of those players who comes at you and plays his shots, which is always nice because it helps move the scoreboard along,” he added.

Hazlewood on bowling to Kohli in int'l cricket

Having faced off against Kohli in international cricket, Hazlewood understands the challenge that comes with bowling to the modern-day great. The right-arm seamer has dismissed Kohli 11 times across formats, but he acknowledges that the Indian stalwart remains a prized scalp.

“He’s a huge wicket for us in any format. He’s scored a lot of hundreds against us in all formats, so in the nets, he really pushes you. By the time you finish, you feel ready for the game,” Hazlewood noted.

Both Kohli and Hazlewood played pivotal roles in RCB’s commanding win against Kolkata Knight Riders in the season opener. While Hazlewood struck twice with the ball, Kohli orchestrated the chase with a sublime half-century, leading RCB to a convincing seven-wicket victory.