Bhuvneshwar Kumar, a seasoned bowler in the Indian Premier League (IPL), sometimes lets his achievements speak louder than his words. With 193 wickets to his name, he is just behind Yuzvendra Chahal on the all-time IPL wicket-takers list. Staying relevant in a game that’s rapidly evolving, Bhuvneshwar credits his success to a proactive approach. His ability to foresee a batter’s moves keeps him ahead in tight situations.
In the current IPL season, Bhuvneshwar has been crucial for his side, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), especially with their potent bowling partnership alongside Josh Hazlewood and Yash Dayal. This trio has collectively captured 40 wickets, with RCB boasting the second-best economy rate during the critical death overs, narrowly behind the Mumbai Indians.
Reflecting on his journey, Bhuvneshwar shared, “I am back in RCB after 16 years and I am very happy to be back,” in a video from the team. “Back then, I was a young player, but now I return with a fair amount of experience.”
He highlighted the unique strengths each bowler brings to RCB. “The three of us are similar in some ways, particularly how we can all swing the ball. But Josh, with his height, and Yash, being a left-arm pacer, add varying angles that challenge batters. We have each stepped up for one another on not-so-good days, which shows our synergy.”
Bhuvneshwar has performed notably well in his Bangalore games, although these efforts unfortunately came during RCB’s home defeats against Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings. However, his standout performance against Delhi Capitals, where he dismissed key players like KL Rahul and Ashutosh Sharma in the 17th over, was pivotal in securing RCB’s victory.
Discussing the challenges of bowling in the death overs, Bhuvneshwar noted, “Death bowling is like an instinct. It depends on what is the situation of the match and what you are thinking as well.” Known for his versatility, Bhuvneshwar remains the only bowler to have claimed the Purple Cap in consecutive IPL seasons. He explained, “Planning is sometimes different in team meetings and actual gameplay because instincts take over.”
He believes a proactive mindset, trying to keep a step ahead of batters, significantly contributes to maintaining an advantage. Sometimes, things might not go to plan, but being assertive and dictating terms to the opposing batters often puts him on top.
