Speaking to the International Cricket Council, Hazelwood said: I think what makes him stand out is how hard he works. First of all, his physicality and then his skill, particularly his batting and fielding.

He always comes out (to practice) first and leaves last … and the intensity with which he consistently trains is at such a high level that he pulls everyone else in. That can be passed on to other players and improve them, he added.

Talking about Siraj, who has been indispensable for RCB with the new ball in the recently concluded IPL, the Australian player said: I was a little late (to RCB this year), but before that he was on fire. He is at the top of the wicket every time, and it’s probably a matter of economy, as bowling at Chinnaswamy (RCB’s home ground) is just impossible sometimes, and he was coming out at six or six-and-a-half for a stroke. His control was great, and he plays well.

Siraj scored 19 wickets on the season and became RCB’s highest scoring player in IPL 2023. Kohli, on the other hand, scored 639 runs at an average of 53.25.

The former RCB skipper has also scored two tons in a row and looks in good form ahead of the final.