Former India Test batter Hanuma Vihari has proposed an interesting tactical solution for Royal Challengers Bengaluru to accommodate both Josh Hazlewood and Jacob Duffy in the same XI.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Vihari said RCB could make smart use of the Impact Player rule to maximise their bowling resources without compromising balance.
According to Vihari, RCB could field an Indian pacer such as Mangesh Yadav or Rasikh Salam Dar in the playing XI alongside Hazlewood. This would allow them to include both Romario Shepherd and Duffy in their list of Impact Subs.
The flexibility, he explained, lies in reading the match situation. If RCB’s batting struggles, Shepherd can be brought in to strengthen the lower order. However, if the top order delivers, which has often been the case this season, the team can instead opt for Duffy as the Impact Player to bolster their bowling attack.
This becomes particularly relevant given that Shepherd, despite being an all-rounder, has not been heavily relied upon with the ball so far this season.
Vihari’s suggestion addresses one of RCB’s key selection dilemmas, especially with Hazlewood’s return adding to their overseas options.
Hazlewood was instrumental in RCB’s title-winning campaign last season, finishing as the team’s leading wicket-taker with 22 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 8.77. However, the Australian pacer has been sidelined in recent months due to injury, with his last competitive appearance coming in November 2025 for New South Wales. He also missed major assignments, including the Ashes and the T20 World Cup 2026.
He made his return in the game against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati, where he picked up figures of 2 for 44. However, Hazlewood was back on the bench in the next match against Mumbai Indians, with Duffy returning to the playing XI.
In Hazlewood’s absence earlier in the season, Duffy impressed with five wickets in his first two matches and played a key role in RCB’s win over Sunrisers Hyderabad. He removed Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma before dismissing Nitish Kumar Reddy, setting the tone early in the innings.
Despite his strong performances, fitting Duffy into the XI alongside Hazlewood has remained a challenge due to overseas player restrictions.
Vihari’s Impact Player strategy offers a potential workaround, giving RCB the option to deploy both pacers based on match situations and maintain their balance across departments.
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