Revealed: How Are RCB One Step Away From Winning IPL 2026 With Josh Hazlewood Factor

Josh Halzewood & Kohli celebrating IPL trophy (Source: AFP)

RCB are just one win away from scripting history and becoming the third team to win two consecutive IPL titles. The defending champions will lock horns against Gujarat Titans in the final, which will be their fourth encounter in IPL 2026.

So far, RCB have the upper hand with a 2-1 head-to-head in their favour in IPL 2026. In the most recent encounter, RCB handed Gujarat Titans a 92-run defeat. However, the RCB fans are worried as they are now locking horns at the Narendra Modi Stadium, which is also the home ground for the Gujarat Titans.

Meanwhile, this article will shed light on how RCB are bound to win the IPL final because of Josh Hazlewood factor.

Josh Hazlewood Yet To Lose A White-Ball Final

So far, Josh Hazlewood has played 5 T20 finals and never lost a final. The streak began with the 2012 Champions League T20 final when he represented Sydney Sixers. In that final, the Sixers beat Highveld Lions.

Following CLT20 2012, Hazlewood was part of finals in BBL 2019/20, IPL 2021, T20 World Cup 2021, and IPL 2025. In the 2019 BBL, Sydney Sixers lifted the title for the 2nd time.

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Further, for IPL 2021, Hazlewood was part of the Chennai Super Kings and guided the Men in Yellow to their 4th IPL title. His latest success came in the 2025 IPL, where he guided RCB to their maiden IPL title.

Also, not just T20, but Hazlewood has never lost a white-ball final. He has played the 2015 and 2023 ODI World Cups and won those titles with Australia.

Josh Hazlewood’s Performance In T20 Finals

Hazlewood has not just won five T20 titles, but has been a guiding force for his teams. In 5 matches, Josh Hazlewood has picked up 10 wickets, averaging 13.9. He has also been economical in the final, giving away just 7.31 runs per over. 

Josh Hazlewood’s best performance came in the T20 World Cup final 2021 and CLT20 2012, where he picked up three wickets each.

Hazlewood's best performance came against Melbourne Stars for Sydney Sixers in 2019 BBL final. His worst performance was against Punjab Kings in IPL 2025 for RCB where he gave away 54 runs in his four overs and took a solitary wicket.

Josh Hazlewood Struggling For Form In IPL 2026

If we look at the last season, Josh Hazlewood was RCB's best player. In IPL 2025, the right-arm seamer earned the moniker of HazleGod for his 22-wicket season in just 12 innings.

However, in IPL 2026, Hazlewood has been in a dismal form and has 13 wickets in 12 innings. Therefore, RCB must be hoping that the Australia right-arm seamer regains his lost mojo against Gujarat Titans on Sunday, May 31.

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