Aakash Chopra observed that Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) bowler, does not receive as much praise for taking wickets with the new ball as Trent Boult. Kumar can swing the ball and get early breakthroughs. But he is often overlooked when compared to other new-ball specialists.
In the IPL 2024 game, SRH put up a high score of 202 runs for RR to chase in Hyderabad on May 2. Bhuvneshwar Kumar had great bowling figures of 3/41 in 4 overs. He got 2 wickets in the first over itself. SRH won the close match by just 1 run. Bhuvneshwar was the key player who helped SRH win this nail-biting game.
In a YouTube video on SRH’s bowling, Aakash Chopra praised Bhuvneshwar for dismissing Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson in the opening over.
“201 was a very decent total and then Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed Buttler in the first over and Sanju Samson right after that – two incredible deliveries. He now has 27 wickets in the first over of the powerplay – no one has taken more than him. However, somehow he is underrated.”
“People talk about Trent Boult but no one talks about Bhuvi. Ok, let me say this – Death, taxes and Bhuvneshwar Kumar taking a wicket in the first over is permanent. He showed that by doing it.”
Aakash Chopra
Bhuvneshwar had Buttler caught at slip by Marco Jansen for a golden duck off an outswinger. Three deliveries later, the right-arm seamer jarred Samson’s stumps with an inswinger, and the RR skipper was unable to open his account.
“When Yashasvi and then Riyan Parag got out, there was a sudden twist in the match” – Aakash Chopra on SRH’s comeback
Aakash Chopra said Sunrisers Hyderabad made an awesome comeback. At first, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag were winning the match for their team. But SRH did not give up and fought back.
“It seemed like till the time Yashasvi and Riyan Parag were there, the match was going only in one direction, and that is going towards the team in pink. However, when Yashasvi and then Riyan Parag got out, there was a sudden twist in the match.”
Aakash Chopra
The reputable analyst lauded Pat Cummins and T Natarajan for being both penetrative and economical before Bhuvneshwar Kumar won an SRH victory with a wicket off the final ball.
“The match was totally in Rajasthan’s grasp till the 15th or 16th over but Hyderabad didn’t concede defeat. Pat Cummins took wickets and T Natarajan picked up an important wicket, that was Shimron Hetmyer’s. It was total drama in the end. 20 runs were required in two overs.”
“Pat Cummins came and bowled another good over but got hit for a six off the last ball. Then you needed 13 in the final over and only two runs were required off the last ball. The umpire gave it out and even if it had not been out, Hyderabad would have won as the umpire had given it out.”
Aakash Chopra
Rovman Powell was rightfully called out LBW on the penultimate ball. Chopra stated that the outcome would not have changed even if the replays showed that the decision was erroneous since the ball was dead as soon as the umpire called it out. He said that the present regulation may need to be amended.