Bhuvneshwar Kumar believes the fine margins behind the scenes made the difference as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) followed up their earlier momentum by beating Gujarat Titans (GT) and punching their ticket to another Indian Premier League final. Speaking after the win, the RCB pacer highlighted the value of leg-before-wicket and bowled dismissals within their bowling approach, praised the support staff for the “small things” that help the group, and insisted that while their setup is data-led, it is not driven by numbers alone. With the franchise again reaching the title match after sealing back-to-back finals, the scenario feels familiar—Bhuvneshwar even finds himself in a Purple Cap role heading into a summit clash—but the teams and context have changed dramatically since his Sunrisers Hyderabad days, when RCB could now potentially face SRH in a final for the first time in a decade.
Bowling mindset: LBW, bowled and the role of data
After RCB’s victory over GT, Bhuvneshwar mapped out how the side plans to attack batters. He pointed to a clear direction in their lengths and lines, aiming to squeeze opponents into mistakes that lead to wicket-taking dismissals.
He said: “A lot of credit to the planning behind the scenes. I mean, yes, the experience we (him and Josh Hazlewood) brought, but when it comes to support staff, the small things that they are bringing, it works for us. We are data-informed; if there is something new players are doing, we look into that. But we do not depend 100 per cent on data. But yes, it helps.”
On the bowling plan itself, he added: “If you look at the plan, anything short or fuller, it goes for a boundary. But yes, we make a lot of effort not to give any room and try to get batters out LBW and bowled.”
RCB’s clinical all-round display vs GT
RCB’s path to the final was powered by a dominant all-round performance, highlighted by a decisive 92-run win. Batting first, the Bengaluru side posted a commanding total of 254/5, built on sharp innings from their top contributors before the bowlers dismantled GT’s chase.
RCB’s big total
- RCB reached 254/5 after being put in to bat first by GT.
- Skipper Rajat Patidar struck 93 not out off 33 balls, including five fours and nine sixes.
- Virat Kohli made 43 off 25 balls, with five fours and one six.
- Krunal Pandya contributed 43 off 28 balls, featuring five fours and two sixes.
GT collapse in the chase
- In reply, GT’s chase collapsed quickly and they were dismissed for 162.
- Only Rahul Tewatia (68 off 43 balls, with eight fours and four sixes) and Jos Buttler (29 off 11 balls, with three fours and two sixes) crossed the 20-run mark.
- Jacob Duffy led the breakthroughs with 3/39, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 2/28.
- From the top order, the Titans’ batting momentum kept slipping, and the downfall only accelerated after early wickets.
Bhuvneshwar’s season numbers and RCB’s final record
Bhuvneshwar’s impact was not limited to this knock—it also reflects a standout season underway for RCB. His wicket tally and efficiency underline why he has been central to Bengaluru’s campaign.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar has taken 26 wickets in 15 matches.
- His bowling average stands at 18.15, with an economy rate of 8.00.
- His best figures in the tournament are 4/23.
- This is the second-best wicket-taking season for an RCB bowler, with Harshal Patel’s 32-wicket campaign in 2021 being the best.
RCB’s qualification also adds to their growing finals pedigree. The franchise has now reached the IPL final for the fifth time, placing them among the most frequent contenders in the competition’s history.
- RCB have made it to the IPL finals five times.
- That is the third-most appearances after Mumbai Indians (six appearances, five title wins) and Chennai Super Kings (10 appearances, five title wins).
There’s also a historic angle to the margin. The 92-run triumph ranks among the strongest wins in IPL knockout history.
- This is the second-highest win in IPL knockout matches.
- It sits just below Rajasthan Royals’ 105-run win over Delhi Capitals in 2008.
Who could RCB face in the final?
With RCB through, the final opponent is still set to be decided. A potential matchup with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) would be a rare reunion in a title match, given that it has been a decade since such a clash could occur in the final stage.
- RCB could face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final if SRH make it through.
- SRH’s route depends on the Men in Orange overcoming Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the eliminator.
- SRH would then need to beat Gujarat Titans (GT) in the qualifier to set up the final.
For now, RCB’s focus is on carrying forward the momentum that delivered a commanding 254/5, followed by a ruthless bowling effort that restricted GT to 162—setting up yet another title challenge as Bhuvneshwar heads toward the final with Purple Cap recognition and a game plan built on pressure, precision, and wicket-focused bowling.
