News‘Cricketing IQ’ the key as Bhuvneshwar continues to make an impact
Raipur – A calm, almost understated evening from Bhuvneshwar Kumar – four wickets up-top and a late-over six – proved just enough for Royal Challengers Bengaluru to edge past Mumbai Indians and keep their own IPL 2026 campaign ticking over. Mumbai’s defeat ends their playoff hopes; RCB live to fight another day.
First, the facts
• MI 157 for 8 (20 overs) – Bhuvneshwar 4 for 23
• RCB 158 for 7 (20 overs) – victory off the final ball
• RCB need nine from the last three; Bhuvneshwar lifts a wide yorker over point for six and turns the chase
Power-play precision
Ryan Rickelton miscued a good-length ball in the opening over, and RCB suddenly owned the new ball. Two deliveries later Rohit Sharma was undone by a knuckle-ball that kissed the outside edge, “sort of an artist now”, observed Ambati Rayudu on ESPNcricinfo TimeOut, adding: “He’s just becoming so, so good at what he’s doing.” Suryakumar Yadav followed next ball – classical late swing, thick edge, slip catch. Tilak Varma’s improvised scoop in the 18th over merely rearranged his stumps. At 36, Bhuvneshwar headed off with 4 for 23 and the Purple Cap lead (21 wickets).
Why the sudden spike? Deep Dasgupta thinks it’s in the wrist. “The skill set was always there. It’s just that, at times, because he’s never been the quickest, it’s just that release at times [that’s made him] lose some pace off the pitch,” he said. “I think he’s [got it] back again. [Against MI] he was really good with his release. That backspin on the ball – I think he’s got that back.”
Release, backspin, cut – all cricketing code for making a ball do more than its pace suggests. Dasgupta elaborated: “You can feel it looking at the batters playing at it, and kind of hurrying [into their shots] even at 133-134kph. He’s hurrying the batters … that release back.”
Pitches that punish
Rayudu’s take was simpler. “Generally, when a batsman gets beaten on a bouncy track, [the ball misses the stumps], but on these sort of pitches, he would more or less get you out lbw or caught behind.” Slow surface, minimal margin, classical Bhuvneshwar.
The late cameo
RCB still contrived to leave themselves nine short with three balls left. A full, wide yorker arrived; Bhuvneshwar opened the blade and lofted it over extra cover for six. “Six, for sure,” he grinned post-match when asked what he was aiming for. A brace and a scampered single later, Mumbai were out. Not flashy, but effective.
Bigger picture
• Bhuvneshwar now leads the wicket charts; two matches remain.
• RCB climb to ten points; net run-rate still an issue yet qualification now plausible.
• Mumbai finish on eight, their batting again undone by early movement.
The veteran first made waves a decade earlier with back-to-back Purple Caps for Sunrisers Hyderabad. The run-up is shorter these days, the speed gun rarely climbs above mid-130s, but the ball still talks. “He’s becoming sort of an artist now,” Rayudu repeated, words that felt fair enough on a night when science, skill and a timely six decided everything.
Imperfect, yes – a scrappy chase and a last-ball finish – but Bhuvneshwar Kumar walked away with the brush in hand, the canvas complete, and RCB’s season still breathing.
