How Did Bhuvneshwar Kumar Lead RCB to Limit DC to 162?

New Delhi, April 27 (NationPress) Bhuvneshwar Kumar led a remarkable bowling effort for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by claiming 3-33, limiting Delhi Capitals (DC) to 162/8 on a challenging two-paced pitch at the Arun Jaitley Stadium this Sunday.

Initially, Bhuvneshwar conceded 25 runs in his first two overs but expertly utilized his slower deliveries to secure three wickets, allowing only eight runs in his final two overs. He received solid backing from Josh Hazlewood, the season's new leading wicket-taker with 2-36, and Yash Dayal, who took one wicket.

The spinners, Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma, bowled with outstanding precision, ensuring the ball gripped and slowed down, keeping DC under pressure, as evidenced by their combined figures of 1-50 in eight overs. DC's total marked the lowest first innings score here since 2024, struggling at 108/4 after 15 overs, until Tristan Stubbs scored 34 off 18 balls to push the hosts to a more respectable total.

DC started strong, led by Abishek Porel’s explosive 11-ball 28. From the outset, Porel showcased impeccable timing, notably flicking Bhuvneshwar for four. He took advantage of the veteran fast bowler’s pace with an early slog that sailed over deep backward square leg for six, followed by a deft pick-up sweep for another maximum.

However, Hazlewood halted Porel’s onslaught, catching him off a short ball directed down leg. With Faf du Plessis struggling for runs, DC lost Karun Nair, who top-edged a pull off an angled delivery from Dayal. With Suyash and Krunal maintaining tight lines and extracting grip from the pitch, RCB effectively stifled DC's scoring chances.

The situation worsened for DC when du Plessis was dismissed, caught at long-on off Krunal’s bowling. KL Rahul and Axar Patel attempted to stabilize the innings, with Rahul capitalizing on minor errors, scoring boundaries off Suyash and Dayal, as well as sending Hazlewood over backward square leg for another four.

In contrast, Axar, although missing some deliveries from Suyash, managed to scoop him for a four and lofted Krunal over mid-wicket for six. Yet, Hazlewood struck again, dismissing Axar with a delivery that knocked over his middle stump. Following Axar’s wicket, Suyash and Krunal bowled two more overs without conceding boundaries, increasing the pressure on DC.

In the 17th over, Bhuvneshwar dismissed Rahul, who was caught at long-off, while impact player Ashutosh Sharma was bowled by a leg-cutter. Stubbs added some momentum, driving Hazlewood for four and having Vipraj Nigam ramp him over third man for six during a 17-run 18th over.

Stubbs continued to impress, hitting Dayal for two boundaries down the ground and executing a switch-hit for six in the 19th over. Although Bhuvneshwar eventually claimed Stubbs in the last over, the batter had helped DC surpass 160, a target RCB will be confident of chasing, particularly with the dew factor in play.

Brief Scores: Delhi Capitals 162/8 in 20 overs (KL Rahul 41, Tristan Stubbs 34; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 3-33, Josh Hazlewood 2-36) against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.