Ambati Rayudu has described Bhuvneshwar Kumar as “an artist” after the 36-year-old starred with both ball and bat in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s tense win over Mumbai Indians.
Ball and bat
Bhuvneshwar first took 4/23 to unsettle the Mumbai batting. He then helped finish the chase himself. RCB needed nine from the last three balls when he hit a yorker for six, and he sealed victory off the final delivery.
His wickets were Ryan Rickelton, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma. The haul took his season total to 21 and moved him to the top of the Purple Cap standings.
What the pundits said
As quoted by ESPNcricinfo, Rayudu said the seamer’s skill, particularly on a pitch where many deliveries would hit the stumps, makes him even more dangerous. He added that Bhuvneshwar is becoming sort of an artist and is getting better at what he does.
Former cricketer Deep Dasgupta also praised the bowler’s rhythm and release, observing that Bhuvneshwar has found again the control and effectiveness that marked his best years for India.
