Synopsis
Discover how Bhuvneshwar Kumar's exceptional bowling strategies led to a pivotal victory against the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025, as shared by cricket legend Anil Kumble. This article dives into the nuances of his performance and what keeps him relevant in the competitive arena.Key Takeaways
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar excels in leveraging his bowling variations.
- His experience is crucial in high-pressure situations.
- Effective use of slower balls can change the course of a match.
- Consistency is key to maintaining relevance in competitive cricket.
- Learning from seasoned players like Bhuvneshwar can benefit younger cricketers.
New Delhi, April 28 (NationPress) Renowned Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble remarked that seasoned Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar had an ideal strategy to outwit the Delhi Capitals (DC) batsmen during RCB's six-wicket triumph, which propelled them to the top of the IPL 2025 points table.
At the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday, Bhuvneshwar allowed 25 runs in his first two overs but effectively utilized his slower deliveries to secure three crucial wickets – those of KL Rahul, Ashutosh Sharma, and Tristan Stubbs – while only conceding eight runs in his final two overs, finishing with figures of 3-33 in four overs.
"He has consistently showcased his exceptional skills as a bowler. Regardless of the team he represents, he consistently claims wickets during the powerplay, mastering the necessary techniques for the concluding overs, and remains remarkably dependable. It's rare for batsmen to pressure him successfully.
"On a pitch like this, he delivered an impeccable second spell. The vital wicket of KL Rahul was significant. The strategy for KL Rahul was likely to extend his innings and then target the quicker bowlers, making the most of the final three or four overs. Bhuvi had the perfect counter to that," Kumble shared on ESPNCricinfo.
Bhuvneshwar, who hasn’t represented India since 2022, has taken 12 wickets from nine matches in IPL 2025, maintaining an economy rate of 8.35. Former Indian batsman Wasim Jaffer discussed how such a seasoned player like Bhuvneshwar remains competitive.
"He possesses a couple of variations… his yorker is spot on; he rarely gives width to batsmen; and he effectively employs hard-length deliveries that catch batsmen off guard.
"Batsmen often anticipate yorkers or slower balls; however, he also utilizes the knuckleball. He has two or three excellent variations, making it challenging for batsmen to predict his deliveries," he concluded.
