RCB Pacer Bhuvneshwar Speaks on Team’s Reliance on Data After Reaching Second Successive IPL Final

After his team’s win against Gujarat Titans (GT), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pace Bhuvneshwar Kumar talked about his bowling plans focusing on pre-wicket leg and bowled dismissals, the role of data in their success and thanked the staff working behind the scenes after completing back-to-back Indian Premier League (IPL) finals with the team. It’s 2016 again, Bhuvneshwar dons the Purple Cap and is heading towards another IPL final, but he is no longer with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH); a side they could face in the final a decade from now if the Orangemen beat Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the qualifier and GT in the second qualifier. RCB’s 92-run win was an all-round display, with skipper Rajat Patidar’s 33-ball 93*, cameos from Virat Kohli and Krunal Pandya and fiery powerplay bowling from Bhuvneshwar and Jacob Duffy giving RCB a chance to win back-to-back IPLs.

Speaking after his side’s win, he said: “I give a lot of credit to the planning behind the scenes. So, yes, the experience we (he and Josh Hazlewood) bring, but when it comes to the support staff, the little things they bring are working for us. We trust the data; if there’s something the new players are doing, we look into it. But we don’t trust the data 100 per cent. But yes, it helps.” On his and his team’s bowling plans, he added: “If you look at the plan, anything short or fuller is going for a boundary. But yes, we are trying hard not to leave any room and trying to bowl the batsmen out LBW,” he added. Bhuvneshwar has taken 26 wickets in 15 matches this season at an average of 18.15 and economy rate of 8.00, with best figures of 4/23. This is the second best season with the ball for an RCB bowler and Harshal Patel’s 32 wicket 2021 season is the best.

RCB, with GT batting first, posted 254/5 thanks to fiery performances from skipper Rajat Patidar (93* in 33 balls, five fours and nine sixes), Virat Kohli (43 in 25 balls, five fours and two sixes) and Krunal Pandya (43 in 28 balls, five fours and two sixes). During the chase, GT’s hits fell like a deck of cards; Rahul Tewatia (68 from 43 balls, eight fours and four sixes) and Jos Buttler (29 from 11 balls, three fours and two sixes) were the only players to cross the 20-run mark as GT cruised to 162 runs. Jacob Duffy (3/39) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/28) broke GT’s consistent top order and it was only decline from there on for the Titans. This is RCB’s fifth appearance in the IPL finals and third behind Mumbai Indians (six matches and five titles) and Chennai Super Kings (10 matches and five titles). This is also the second highest win in IPL knockout history, below RR’s 105-run win against Delhi Capitals (DC) in 2008.