Josh Hazlewood has backed Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to leverage their title-defending credentials and strong form as they face Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Thursday, May 8, 2026. The Australian pacer said the reigning champions are carrying "pretty high" confidence despite the added scrutiny that comes with defending a crown, with RCB sitting second on the points table with six wins from nine matches.

RCB's momentum and the title-holder's burden

Hazlewood acknowledged that being champions naturally invites heightened opposition focus, but framed the tag as a confidence booster rather than a burden. "Everyone's probably lifting a gear to play you as well to try and knock you off from last year. So yeah, a little bit of both, but in general, the confidence in the group is pretty high," he said. The brief rest between fixtures has allowed RCB to recover and return refreshed for the tournament's business end, according to the pacer.

Ekana's bowling-friendly conditions and RCB's balanced unit

Hazlewood, a frequent visitor to Lucknow, noted that the Ekana Stadium typically offers assistance to bowlers, though that can amplify expectations on the bowling attack. "The wicket's not always ideal for batting, which brings us into the game. But I guess that can add more pressure sometimes, and you're expected to do well and keep the team to a lower total than usual," he explained. He credited RCB's balanced composition, saying the squad has "nearly every base covered" and has "been bowling really well throughout the whole season."

Kohli's evolving batting and strike-rate consistency

Hazlewood praised Virat Kohli for maintaining a high strike rate at the top of the order while continuously refining his approach. "He's seemed to just keep upping that strike rate year on year and keeping on level terms with some of these youngsters who are smashing it everywhere," Hazlewood said, noting that Kohli is "in as good a form as any time." The opening partnership's role in setting the tournament's foundation is critical, with the top three batting the majority of overs.

LSG's desperation and RCB's prior head-to-head edge

Lucknow, by contrast, are fighting to revive fading playoff hopes after six consecutive defeats. Hazlewood also looked ahead to a personal battle with LSG opener Mitchell Marsh, whom he faced earlier this season during RCB's victory at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. "I didn't get him out, but I managed to hit him a few times, which was good," Hazlewood said, describing the encounter as a "cat and mouse" contest between two players who know each other's game intimately.

What lies ahead

RCB's second-place finish and six-win tally position them well for the playoffs, while Lucknow's losing streak has left them vulnerable. The clash will test whether RCB's balanced squad and bowling depth can maintain their upward trajectory against a desperate opponent seeking a turnaround.