Josh Hazlewood may not often be the loudest voice on the field or the flashiest performer in the spotlight, but when it comes to major finals, he is one of the most quietly consistent and successful cricketers of the modern era. The Australian pacer’s staggering record in big tournament deciders now includes seven major titles across international and franchise cricket, with the most recent being the IPL 2025 trophy. His presence in the final XI has become synonymous with silverware.
Hazlewood’s streak began over a decade ago, in 2012, when he was part of the Sydney Sixers squad that won the Champions League T20 (CLT20) title. Then just a rising talent, the young right-armer made early waves with his disciplined line and length—traits that have since become his trademarks. That initial taste of success would set the tone for a career defined by performance under pressure.
The 2015 ICC ODI World Cup, hosted in Australia and New Zealand, saw Josh Hazlewood emerge as a central figure in the Australian pace battery. Playing a key role in the knockout stages, including the final against New Zealand at the MCG, Hazlewood’s economical spells and new-ball accuracy contributed significantly to Australia’s fifth world title.
In domestic T20 cricket, he replicated this trend. The 2019/20 Big Bash League saw Hazlewood help the Sydney Sixers clinch the championship once again. Though not always at the forefront of headlines in the shortest format, his tight bowling during the powerplay and at the death proved vital.
His IPL journey reached a new height in 2021 when he played a crucial part in Chennai Super Kings’ title win. Hazlewood’s calmness in pressure scenarios and ability to extract bounce on Indian pitches made him a potent weapon. The franchise benefitted from his controlled aggression and reliable overs, especially when games hung in the balance.
Later that same year, Australia clinched their first-ever ICC T20 World Cup title in the UAE. Hazlewood delivered one of the most underrated performances in the final, returning figures of 3/16 against New Zealand and showcasing just how dependable he is in the biggest moments. His ability to hit hard lengths and take pace off on slow surfaces was instrumental.
Fast-forward to 2023, and Josh Hazlewood was again central to Australia’s triumph in the ODI World Cup in India. While Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins often drew the headlines, Hazlewood’s relentless control and surgical precision allowed the other quicks to strike around him. He maintained an economy rate that was among the best in the tournament and never allowed opposition batters to settle.
In 2025, the script repeated. Representing Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Josh Hazlewood finally helped the storied franchise break their title drought in the IPL. His early breakthroughs and calm finishing overs were crucial throughout the playoffs and especially in the final. As RCB lifted the trophy, Hazlewood once again found himself on the winning side—seventh time lucky, or more accurately, seventh time clutch.
Josh Hazlewood’s legacy might not be built on flamboyant performances or headline-grabbing spells, but his presence in major finals speaks volumes. In a sport where temperament and timing are everything, Hazlewood’s consistency, discipline, and match temperament have made him one of the most valuable final-game assets of his generation.