Ravi Shastri smells that he played gently in RCB hiding Bhuvneshwar Kumar on behalf of injury
Ravi Shastria remained stunned while Royal Challengers Bengalur (RCB) ignored experienced Pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar for their IPL 2025 opener against Knight Riders (KKR) veterans on Saturday, March 2nd.
Despite the first winning throwing and decided on the field, Royal Challengers Bengalur’s decision to overlook Bhuvneshwar Kumar raised many eyebrows, especially with the Impact player’s rule, which favors additional team bowlers.
RCB Decision Da Bench Bhuvneshwar Kumar for IPL 2025 opener against KKR raises eyebrows
Instead, RCB entered with only four specialist bowlers, depending on their comprehensive Pandya and Liam Livingstone crown for additional support against KKR. Josh Hazlewood led the tempo attack, but Ravi Shastra was shocked by the RCB decision to prefer Yash Dayal and Rasikh Salam Dar via Bhunevwar.
Significantly, Bhuvneshwar signed a franchise for a huge Inr 10.75 crown at IPL 2025 auction last year. The 35-year-old Pacer is one of the highest songs in the history of IPL with 181 Wikets in 176 games.
Well, Royal Challengers Bengalur quickly felt the influence of Bhuvneshwar absence, as they fought to maintain control of the PowerPlay, despite the KKR limited to 9/1 in the first three additions in the opening of the season.
Hazlewood and Dayal have problematized the top row of KKR on vibrant terrain. Even Hazlewood even rejected the Quinton de Kock in the opening, while Sunil Narine struggled to score.
Rcb feels the absence of Bhuvneshwar Kumar after expensive raw Salam gift
But the match turned dramatically when RCB captain Rajat Patidar handed over the ball to Rasikh Salam Dar in the fourth part, and Kkr skipper Ajinkya Rahane immediately left Berserk, breaking two six and the border against the young Pacer in Eden Gardens.
The last three PowerPlay transitions have proven to be expensive for Royal Challengers Bengalur, as they acknowledged 51 rides from Kolkat Knight Riders racing to 60/1, completely moving momentum. However, the Bengalur team won a seven -wickeke match, but the drama because of the exclusion of Bhuvneshwara left many surprised.
RCB said Bhuvneshwar Kumar missed the season opener due to a minor injury, but a skipper, a rajat Patidar, did not mention anything about the injury. Because of this, many wondered the real reason for the exclusion of an Indian veteran bowler.
Ravi Shastri shocked while RCB Pao Bhuvneshwar Kumar for IPL 2025 opener
Ravi Shastria said while commenting on the match: “It’s hard to understand why Bhuvuvar Kumar doesn’t play. He is extremely experienced. He should have been there.”
Significant is that the franchise was posted on X after throwing on Calcutus on Saturday: “Let’s go with 2 Spinner and 3 Pacers. Salt, Liam, Tim and Hazlewood fill over the overseas quota!
On the other hand, Patidar said at TOSS: “We decided to go to the ground first; the terrain looked hard. It is unbelievable to lead RCB and a great opportunity to learn from great players. We have made appropriate preparations for the last 10-15 days.”
Significant is that RCB will be followed by Chennai Super Kings in the current IPL 2025 28. At the March at the Ma Chimambaram Stadium in Chennai.
