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Dale Steyn Hails 'Hard Length' Bowling Creating Genuine Fear Among Batters in IPL 2026

Dale Steyn praised Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood for their outstanding powerplay bowling against Delhi Capitals. He highlighted that pacers like Kagiso Rabada and Jofra Archer create genuine fear through traditional hard lengths. The bowling display resulted in DC's worst powerplay score of 13/6 in IPL history. RCB chased the target of 75 runs in just 6.3 overs to secure their sixth win.

Key Points: Steyn on IPL 2026: Hard Length Bowling Creates Fear Among Batters

  • Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood's powerplay spells leave DC at 13/6, worst in IPL history
  • Steyn praises traditional hard length bowling for creating technical fear
  • Bhuvneshwar holds Purple Cap with 14 wickets; Hazlewood, Rabada, Archer also excel
  • RCB chase 75 in 6.3 overs, registering sixth win in eight matches
3 min read

"There is a genuine fear from batters...": Steyn hails traditional 'hard length' bowling from pacers during IPL 2026

Dale Steyn hails Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Kagiso Rabada, and Jofra Archer for creating genuine fear among batters with traditional hard length bowling in IPL 2026.

"There's a genuine fear from batters not because they scared, but they know exactly where these greats are going to bowl but don't practice enough in that area to have answers. - Dale Steyn"

New Delhi, April 28

Following an outstanding display of pace bowling by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood against Delhi Capitals in the powerplay, former South African pace icon Dale Steyn hailed them pace duo, compatriot Kagiso Rabada and Englishman Jofra Archer for creating "genuine fear" among batters despite high run-scoring this season of the Indian Premier League through their hard lengths, for something which the batters do not "practice enough".

Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood took turns in testing DC batters by mixing up traditional long format lengths and outside off-stump line, wreaking havoc in the powerplay, leaving DC at 13/6 at the end in six overs, making it the worst powerplay score in the IPL history. DC was bundled out for 75 runs, which the defending champions chased without breaking a sweat.

Taking to X, Steyn wrote, "Watching Buvi, Hazelwood, throw KG and Archer in there too, there's a genuine fear from batters not because they scared, but they know exactly where these greats are going to bowl but don't practice enough in that area to have answers. The fear is technical skill, too deep into the tournament to change now, watch these bowlers continue to dominate. Its called a HARD length for a reason..."

Bhuvneshwar holds the 'Purple Cap' this season, with 14 wickets in eight innings at an average of 16.85 and an economy rate of 7.61, with best figures of 3/5. On the other hand, Hazlewood has eight wickets at an average of 19.25 with an economy rate of 7.89, with best figures of 4/12. Rabada has been exceptional in the powerplay, with 13 scalps at an average of 22.61 and an economy rate of 9.48 and best figures of 3/25. Archer is another example of a bowler succeeding with sheer pace and traditional lengths in T20s during powerplay and against top-order, with 13 scalps in eight matches at an average of 17.92 and an economy rate of 8.03, with best figures of 3/20.

With this win, RCB have registered their sixth win in eight matches, with 12 points to their name. RCB are at number two in the points tally. This fifth defeat for DC, who have won three, keeps them at seventh spot in the points table.

RCB opted to field first, and excellent spells from Hazlewood (4/12) and Bhuvneshwar (3/5) reduced DC to 75 in 16.3 overs, with Abishek Porel (30) and David Miller (19) offering some resistance. RCB batters came out all guns blazing as Jacob Bethell (20 in 10 balls, with a four and two sixes), Devdutt Padikkal (34* in 13 balls, with three fours and three sixes), and Virat Kohli (25* in 13 balls, with a four and two sixes) sealed the chase in 6.3 overs.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As a RCB fan, I'm over the moon! But honestly, DC's batting collapse was painful to watch. 13/6 in powerplay is embarrassing for any professional side. The problem is our batters have lost the ability to defend - they want to hit every ball. Fine margin between confidence and carelessness. Steyn is right about the fear factor - it's the technical gap, not just luck. 🙏
V
Vikram M
This "hard length" thing is pure gold. In the era of 200+ scores, seeing bowlers dominate with traditional lines feels like a breath of fresh air. Steyn knows what he's talking about - these bowlers are making batters uncomfortable on good pitches. But my only concern is: are we overvaluing bowlers now? One bad spell and the match is lost. Let's see if this trend continues. 🤔
K
Kavya N
Steyn's comment is pure wisdom. But let's not forget, this is also about adaptability. DC's batters should have been more patient. You can't just swing blindly when the ball is moving around off the seam. That said, I admire how Bhuvi and Hazlewood didn't try anything fancy - just hit the hard lengths consistently. Sometimes simple is brilliant! 🎯
R
Rohit P
I'm glad Steyn highlighted this. In India, we're so obsessed with T20 cricket that we've forgotten the basics. The hard length is something our domestic bowlers should learn from these international stars - it's not just about speed, it's about precision. But honestly, I'm a bit worried that this might make T20 boring if every match becomes bowlers' game. Balance is key! ⚖️

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