RCB’s seasoned pace bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar said that with modern T20 batters constantly attacking, bowlers must adopt a defensive, tactical mindset even when the ball swings in the powerplay as well. Bhuvneshwar registered figures of 3 for 5 and, along with Josh Hazlewood (4/12), as they bundle out Delhi Capitals for 75 and then reached the target in 6.3 overs and with nine wickets in hand.
“The biggest change is that batters no longer hold back, even when the ball is swinging in the powerplay. Earlier, there was more respect for conditions, but now the approach is consistently aggressive. That’s where the mindset shift for bowlers becomes important, being defensive isn’t negative, it’s about bowling to a plan and targeting weaknesses,” Bhuvneshwar Kumar told JioHotstar.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who is not part of the Indian team anymore, said that a seamer tends to get aggressive when he sees a bit of assistance from the surface as well.
“On flat wickets with no assistance, the approach becomes more defensive, not in a negative way, but with the focus on controlling runs and avoiding boundaries, especially against aggressive batters. But when there is some help in the air, the mindset shifts towards being aggressive and looking for wickets,” he said.
“Even if you get a bit of luck with edges or movement, the intent is to keep attacking and create opportunities rather than just containing. A lot of it comes down to preparation and understanding situations. The planning, even down to small details, plays a big role, and having experienced players like Josh Hazlewood helps, because that communication on the field becomes crucial in adapting to conditions,” he further shared.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is also considered a master of swing bowling, and he opined on his success to red-ball cricket.
“While conditions and the ball do play a role, the basics remain the most important, wrist position, alignment, and control over line and length. For me, playing a lot of red-ball cricket has really helped in mastering those aspects. It allows you to repeat your action and maintain consistency. When the ball does swing, it becomes a major advantage for bowlers, and that’s when you look to exploit it as much as possible,” Bhuvneshwar Kumar concluded.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
