PBKS star beats Josh Hazlewood in the race of TOP 5 RCB bowlers in the IPL

Former RCB fast bowler Dale Steyn has picked the Top 5 greatest bowlers to have played for RCB, and he has put Punjab Kings spinner Yuzvendra Chahal at the top of the list, while Josh Hazlewood follows.

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru have increased their esteem after having won their first-ever IPL trophy. Former RCBian Dale Steyn was hence asked to pick the top 5 bowlers for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru among the players who have played for them over the past 2 decades.

Royal Challengers have truly been a den for renowned bowlers. From Jacques Kallis to Anil Kumble in the initial seasons, to Dale Steyn and Mitchell Starc later on, several world-class bowlers have played in the red shirt. The likes of Yuzvendra Chahal and Mohammed Siraj are players who got recognition after having played and performed for the Royal Challengers.

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Dale Steyn picks the Top 5 RCB bowlers of all time

Who are Dale Steyn's top five RCB bowlers of all time? 👀 pic.twitter.com/kSrHA540ly

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) April 10, 2026

5. Anil Kumble

Dale Steyn, the legendary paceman from South Africa, was assigned the duty to pick his top 5 best RCB bowlers of all time in an ESPNcricinfo show, and he did justice to the role.

He picked 5 players going back as per his ratings, and picked former Royal Challengers skipper Anil Kumble at no. 5. The veteran spinner was one of the most legendary cricketers to have played for them, and Steyn hailed his spectacular figures at the Chinnaswamy.

He said, "I am going to start with Mr. Anil Kumble. A spinner bowling a lot at the Chinnaswamy, to do as well as he has, he is making my top five."

4. Harshal Patel

Steyn then picked former medium pacer Harshal Patel, praising his numbers in the IPL for the Royal Challengers. The cricketer now plays for Sunrisers Hyderabad and was part of the Royal Challengers camp between 2012 and '17, and another second stint between 2021 and '23.

"Next on my list is Harshal Patel; just his numbers tell me he is a wicket-taker, and his economy rate is really good, and his influence in games in terms of helping RCB win games is pretty big too," claimed Steyn.

Having picked not many wickets in his first stint of seasons with RCB, Harshal's success looked eye-opening between 2021 and 2023. He picked 34 wickets across 5 seasons till 2017, but then returned to his old den in 2021 and picked 32 wickets in a record-breaking season.

3. Mitchell Starc

Dale Steyn, the third pick, could shock one. He left himself out and picked Australian speedster Mitchell Starc on his list. The Aussie quick is often known as one of the most wicket-taking pacers in the history of red- and white-ball cricket.

Starc just played two seasons for the Royal Challengers and picked 34 wickets in 27 appearances with an economy just around 7 runs per over. Citing his incredible record, Steyn could not avoid putting him on the list.

He said, "Number 3, then, you can't go very far without leaving this man out. Mitchell Starc is such a wicket-taker; his economy rate is so fantastic and an absolute gun when it comes to taking wickets and even scoring runs."

2. Josh Hazlewood

Dale Steyn picked only one name who is currently a part of the Royal Challengers squad, and that was Josh Hazlewood, the Australian seamer who had a massive role to play in their maiden title triumph. However, his availability this season is a concern after a reported injury.

"Number 2 - Josh Hazlewood. Incredible bowler, he has a strike rate of 13, so basically every two overs he's taking a wicket, so that's pretty magical," explained Steyn.

1. Yuzvendra Chahal

Lastly, Steyn picked Yuzvendra Chahal, the legendary leg spinner, as the best-ever bowler for RCB. The veteran spinner loved the Chinnaswamy and has picked over 100+ wickets at this venue. Chahal is RCB and the IPL's highest-ever wicket-taker.

"The number one spot is Yuzi Chahal. He strikes every 17 balls, his economy rate is 7.6, and he has taken the most wickets, so he is my number one.

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