Josh Hazlewood’s IPL Stadium Rankings: Why CSK’s Chepauk Came Last
A Controversial List: Hazlewood Ranks the IPL Venues
As the IPL 2026 season progresses into its second phase, the intensity on the field is matched only by the chatter off it. While most players focus on their individual form, RCB’s speedster Josh Hazlewood decided to share some personal insights that have since set the internet ablaze. In a candid conversation with Cricbuzz, the Australian pacer was asked to rank the popular Indian stadiums from 1 to 10 based on his playing experience.
For any cricketer, the venue often dictates the strategy. In the IPL, where teams travel across the vast landscape of India, the variety in pitch conditions—from the flat tracks of Ahmedabad to the spin-friendly surfaces of Chennai—makes every game a unique challenge. For foreign players, these stadiums aren’t just sports venues; they are gateways to experiencing the diverse culture of Indian cricket.
The Top Picks and the Big Surprise
Unsurprisingly, Hazlewood placed his current home ground, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, right at the top of his list. The high-scoring nature and the electric atmosphere of the Chinnaswamy clearly resonate with the pacer. Following the Bengaluru venue, he ranked the massive Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad and the historic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai as his next favorites.
However, it was the bottom of the list that caught everyone’s attention. Hazlewood placed the Chepauk Stadium—the fortress of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK)—dead last. While he didn’t provide a specific reason or an explanation for this ranking, the omission of any praise for the Chennai venue has been interpreted by many as a direct dig at CSK.
CSK fans, known for their fierce loyalty, have been quick to react, suggesting that the RCB pacer might simply dislike the atmosphere or the challenging, slow nature of the Chepauk pitch. Whether it is a professional preference for faster decks or a personal quirk, Hazlewood’s ranking has added an extra layer of rivalry to the IPL season.
Analyzing Hazlewood’s Dominance in the IPL
Regardless of his preference for venues, there is no denying that Josh Hazlewood has become a vital asset for RCB. While he is globally renowned for his precision and discipline in red-ball cricket, his transition to the T20 format has been seamless. His statistics speak for themselves.
At the Chinnaswamy Stadium, the venue he loves most, Hazlewood has been particularly lethal. He has claimed 10 wickets in just 7 games, maintaining an impressive average of 22.80. Looking at his broader IPL career, the numbers are even more staggering:
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- Total Wickets: 65 wickets in 44 matches.
- Career Average: 20.76.
- Four-Wicket Hauls: 3.
His most recent masterclass came in the 39th fixture of the IPL 2026 season against the Delhi Capitals, where he ripped through the batting lineup to finish with career-best figures of 4/12.
The Day RCB’s Pace Duo Destroyed DC
The aforementioned performance was part of a larger demolition job. In a recent clash between RCB and Delhi Capitals (DC), Hazlewood and his bowling partner, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, put on a clinic in fast bowling. The Capitals were completely rattled, eventually being bowled out for a meager 75 runs.
The opening spell was nothing short of a nightmare for DC. In the first 3.3 overs alone, the Capitals lost 6 wickets for just 8 runs. Hazlewood was the chief architect of this collapse, ending his spell with 4 wickets for 12 runs in 3.3 overs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was equally devastating, picking up 3 wickets for just 5 runs in his 3 overs.
What made this performance stand out was the approach. Both pacers bowled Test match lengths, utilizing the seam movement and the bounce of the surface to stifle the batsmen. This marked a historic moment in IPL history: the first time two bowlers have both taken 3 or more wickets within the first 6 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 solidified their position in the standings.
What’s Next for RCB?
With momentum on their side, RCB is now preparing to face the Gujarat Titans in the 42nd fixture of the season on April 30. The match will take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad—one of the venues Hazlewood explicitly ranked in his top three. Given his fondness for the ground and his current form, RCB fans will be hoping for another dominant display as the team fights to climb back to the top of the table.
