Josh Hazlewood’s IPL Stadium Rankings: Why Chepauk Landed Last
A Bold Take: Josh Hazlewood Ranks IPL Stadiums
As the IPL 2026 season charges into its second phase, the intensity on the field is matched only by the chatter off it. For the ten franchises competing for glory, the home ground is more than just a venue—it is a fortress, a source of identity, and a critical tactical advantage. Every city in India brings a unique culture and a distinct atmosphere, making the experience particularly exhilarating for foreign players who get to immerse themselves in the madness of Indian cricket.
Recently, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood shared his personal perspective on these venues. In a candid conversation with Cricbuzz, the Australian veteran was asked to rank the popular Indian stadiums from 1 to 10 based on his playing experience. While some of his choices were expected, one particular ranking has left the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) faithful feeling slighted.
The Leaderboard: Chinnaswamy Takes the Crown
Unsurprisingly, Hazlewood placed his current home ground, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, right at the top of his list. The high-scoring nature of the ground and the electric energy of the RCB crowd clearly resonate with the pacer. Following the Chinnaswamy, Hazlewood listed the massive Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad as his second favorite, with the historic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai claiming the third spot.
However, it was the bottom of the list that grabbed the headlines. Hazlewood placed the Chepauk Stadium—the legendary home of CSK—dead last in his rankings. In the world of IPL, where the rivalry between RCB and CSK is one of the most storied, this was immediately interpreted by fans as a direct dig at the Yellow Army. While supporters have speculated that the pacer dislikes the stadium’s unique atmosphere or perhaps its slow, turning tracks, Hazlewood offered no explanation for his choice, leaving the rankings as a matter of personal preference.
Hazlewood’s Dominance: More Than Just Rankings
While his opinions on venues might be controversial, Hazlewood’s performance on the pitch remains undisputed. His affinity for the Chinnaswamy Stadium isn’t just emotional; it’s backed by numbers. In his IPL career, Hazlewood has claimed 10 wickets in 7 games at the Bengaluru venue, maintaining a respectable average of 22.80.
Looking at the bigger picture, Hazlewood has evolved into a true T20 powerhouse, shedding the label of being solely a red-ball specialist. Across 44 IPL games, he has amassed 65 wickets at an impressive average of 20.76, including three four-wicket hauls. His precision and ability to hit the deck have made him a nightmare for top-order batters across the league.
The DC Demolition: A Historic Bowling Display
Hazlewood’s current form reached a fever pitch during the recent clash between RCB and Delhi Capitals (DC). In a performance that can only be described as a rout, the pace duo of Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar completely dismantled the Capitals’ batting lineup, bowling them out for a meager 75 runs.
The carnage happened in a blink. In just the first 3.3 overs, DC lost 6 wickets for only 8 runs. Hazlewood was the chief architect of this collapse, finishing with stunning figures of 4/12 in 3.3 overs. Complementing him perfectly was Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who picked up 3 wickets for just 5 runs in his 3 overs.
What made this performance stand out was the discipline. Both pacers bowled traditional “Test match lengths,” capitalizing on the seam movement and bounce of the surface to stifle the DC batters. This marked a historic milestone in the IPL: the first time two bowlers have taken 3 or more wickets each within the first six overs of an innings.
RCB made short work of the chase, reaching the target with 81 balls remaining, a victory that significantly boosted their net run rate and sent a strong message to the rest of the league.
What’s Next for RCB?
With momentum on their side, RCB is now preparing for the 42nd fixture of the IPL 2026 season. They are set to face the Gujarat Titans on April 30 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Given that Hazlewood ranked this stadium as his second favorite, the Australian pacer will likely be eager to repeat his destructive form. This match represents a massive opportunity for RCB to climb back toward the top of the table and solidify their playoff aspirations.
