- The Royal Challengers Bangalore team which won the previous IPL championship has begun their 2026 season with strong performance. The team has achieved victory in four out of their first five matches. The points table shows them occupying first place because of their current performance.
- The team has maintained an equal level of performance throughout the game. The team achieved victory because both their batting and bowling sections performed well. Their most recent victory occurred when they faced Lucknow in Bangalore which extended their successful streak.
The awards show most overseas players winning the honors
The Player of the Match awards which RCB received this season show one important trend.
RCB players received POTM awards in all four matches through overseas players winning the award.
The winners are:
- Jacob Duffy (New Zealand) vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
- Phil Salt (England) vs Mumbai Indians
- Tim David (Australia) vs Chennai Super Kings
- Josh Hazlewood (Australia) vs Lucknow
The evidence demonstrates that overseas players consistently perform essential functions which lead to their teams winning games.
The RCB organization has witnessed 10 different players achieve POTM award victory since 2025. During this time period no other team has matched the number of distinct players who won awards.
Hazlewood leads with disciplined bowling
- The match against Lucknow showcased Josh Hazlewood as the top performer. He bowled four overs and gave away only 20 runs. He also took one wicket. His control with the ball was the main factor behind his POTM award.
- Hazlewood shared his recent problems with the media after the match. He said injuries had affected his rhythm earlier in the season. He also mentioned that a previous injury against Rajasthan batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi disrupted his progress.
- He explained that during the Lucknow match he aimed to keep his delivery method consistent at various distances. He credited support from teammates at the other end. He explained that he continues to develop his slower deliveries which he considers as a major aspect of his skill enhancement process.
- Hazlewood highlighted communication with teammate Bhuvneshwar Kumar as an important factor in the bowling group’s strength. He also praised Rasikh Dar, who took four wickets in the match after missing the early games.
- RCB have now won four matches in a row. Hazlewood said the team environment is strong and the schedule has helped their momentum. He expressed confidence that the team can continue their winning form in the coming matches.
