In a short period of playing top flight cricket, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has built a reputation as a swing bowler who has a happy knack of picking wickets up-front. He has the ability to get the new ball – red and white – to move both ways and trouble the best of batsmen.
On many occasions Bhuvi has credited the other Kumar from his hometown, Praveen, with whom he played cricket in his formative days and shares the new ball when turning out for the state side Uttar Pradesh. Bhuvi considers Praveen as his friend and mentor.
The match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru was a special occasion for Bhuvi in many ways. It was a game in which he felt his bowling rhythm was back after a long time – the time he spent mostly nursing injury and bowling in the nets. In the match, he showed his worth as a death bowler when he delivered two perfect yorkers to wrap up RCB’s innings in the last over. And it was the day when one of Bhuvi’s cherished cricketing wishes came true.
After the Sunrisers had breached the Royal Challengers’ fortress, Bhuvi spoke with iplt20.com about all the reasons that made it a good day for him.
Have you eased into your rhythm now?
There was a bit of a gap. Although I was practising regularly, there is a difference between practice-rhythm and match-rhythm. When I played the first game (against CSK) it did feel like I was playing after a long time. But after today’s game I can say that the ball is doing what I want it to do.
After how long did you play with Praveen Kumar today?
Oh, after many years. I love playing with him and I always wanted to play with him on a big stage. Today my wish was fulfilled. He is my idol and I have learnt a lot from him. Every time I play with him, I learn something and today was no different.
You have a fine record against Chris Gayle and you have a tendency to get him out early on. Today the other Kumar got him!
It doesn’t matter which Kumar gets him as long as we get him out cheaply. We had our plan in place and I am glad it worked.
You have always done well with the new ball. Today the yorkers were perfect at the death. You have been working pretty hard on it, haven’t you?
Since the time I made my debut I have worked on my death bowling. That is one aspect of my game I have worked the most on. Sometimes, the results take time to show. Today I could execute what I have been practising for so long and that gives me immense satisfaction.
SRH have perhaps, the best pace attack of all teams. After conceding 200-plus against CSK, was there some hard talk in the dressing room?
There was no hard talk as such because it was only our first game of the tournament. However, we did regroup and reflect upon it. We have such a strong pace attack and it hurt to have conceded 200-plus. We were all really motivated to change that in this match.
What kind of a captain is David Warner? Is he as aggressive in the dressing room as he is on the field?
In the two matches I have played under him I have found him to be a good captain. He talks to his bowlers and takes them into confidence before making a decision. And off the field he is completely opposite of aggressive; he’s fun and calm.
How much does having a pair of Australians as captain and coach affect the brand of cricket that SRH play?
It does help us. We can never change our nature completely and start being overly aggressive. But the ideologies and attitude they bring with them helps us add something to our game. If we can pick out the good from that and include in our game, it will only help us grow as cricketers.
By: IPLT20
