Josh Hazlewood didn't hold back after Royal Challengers Bengaluru faced their third straight loss at home, pointing to an unusual Chinnaswamy pitch and the team's slow learning curve from previous matches as major factors in their latest defeat.

In a rain-affected 14-over match on Friday, RCB lost to Punjab Kings by five wickets, adding to their earlier losses at the same ground against Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals. Hazlewood, a veteran in the team, expressed that they haven't adjusted quickly enough.

“Yeah, it's obviously three losses in a row at home. We’ve probably been a bit slow to learn from the first two games and didn’t apply those lessons as well as we could have, especially in those first six to eight overs, given the score,” he said after the game.

The playing conditions haven't been favorable either. Typically known for being a batsman’s dream, the Chinnaswamy pitch hasn't lived up to its usual standards this season, a point Hazlewood was quick to highlight.

“Yeah, I think this isn’t a typical Chinnaswamy wicket. The bounce has always been there, but in previous years, it’s been more consistent.”

RCB mentor Dinesh Karthik also expressed his frustration with the pitch after their loss to Delhi, mentioning he planned to discuss it with the curator. Hazlewood’s comments seem to reflect those same concerns.

Hazlewood discussing bowlers

Even with the challenges faced, the Australian bowler expressed a sense of cautious hope, noting some clear progress in their bowling performance. “I believe our bowling has definitely gotten better compared to the last couple of games. We're making strides, but it’s probably not happening as fast as we’d like.”

Looking forward, Hazlewood stressed the importance of self-reflection. “We’ll take a deep dive into this match, especially when we return to Bangalore, and really analyze everything closely to come up with some ideas on how we can learn and improve.”

He also had some advice for the batting team, encouraging them to take their time in evaluating the conditions rather than just swinging away. “It might be a good idea to hold back a bit and give yourself some time… If our top five or six can bat through the full 20 overs, I think that would significantly boost our chances of winning.”

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