Calm Under Pressure: Bhuvneshwar Kumar Eyes Smart Strategies at Chinnaswamy
Ahead of Punjab Kings test, Bhuvneshwar lauds Hazlewood’s calmness amid pressure situations.
BNH NETWORK
Despite Chinnaswamy's batting-friendly history, Bhuvneshwar sees evolving pitch dynamics this season.
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS:
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar remains unfazed ahead of RCB vs PBKS fixture at Chinnaswamy Stadium.
- Says team will assess pitch conditions in the opening overs to fine-tune strategy.
- Highlights Hazlewood’s composure and consistency as key to handling T20 pressure.
- Stresses the importance of experience and adaptability in match-to-match roles.
- Points out that the Bengaluru wicket is playing differently this season compared to previous years.
Bengaluru - Veteran Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, speaking ahead of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s much-anticipated home clash against Punjab Kings at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday, emphasized clarity, composure, and adaptability as the cornerstones of their match preparations.
Shedding light on the team’s strategy, Bhuvneshwar revealed that there’s no dramatic change in approach for the Punjab challenge. “Our preparation is as usual, nothing different. What we do for any opposition on any ground, it is going to be the same,” he said.
The Chinnaswamy pitch, often branded a batting paradise, has thrown a curveball this season, Bhuvneshwar observed. “If you look at the wicket, it is not the same as what it used to be. I don’t know the reason, but yes, whether we bowl or bat first, we’ll look at the first few overs and then see how the wicket plays, and then we will decide how to approach things accordingly,” he explained.
Discussing his role alongside Australian pace ace Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar underlined the dynamic nature of modern T20 roles. “Normally, Hazlewood and I both bowl with the new ball, and both bowl at the death. So it's a pretty standard role, but it keeps changing from match to match,” he said.
Showering praise on Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar highlighted the Aussie’s temperament as a game-changer. “The best thing is that he has been calm. That’s what we need, especially in this format. When you lose a match, the easy thing is to panic, and that's what he hasn't done. We lost two matches, but he was the same whether we won or lost,” he added.
With experience and a level-headed mindset, both bowlers are expected to lead the attack against a power-packed Punjab Kings lineup.
