In a dramatic twist that the Indian Premier League is renowned for, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed the spotlight on Thursday, May 2, in an edge-of-the-seat encounter with Rajasthan Royals. With the balance of the game having tilted towards the Royals and just two runs required off the final delivery for victory, it looked almost certain that the Royals would take the win or at least tie the match. An SRH win seemed a distant thought. However, Bhuvneshwar, arguably in his best form during the IPL 2024 season, had other plans. When Rovman Powell took his stance at the crease, the pressure was palpable.
In a heart-stopping moment, Bhuvneshwar bowled a well-directed full toss which Powell failed to connect with. The ball made contact with Powell’s back pad, and a unanimous appeal from SRH players followed. The umpire raised his finger, confirming the wicket, and with it, a stunning victory for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Bhuvneshwar’s vital bowling proved to be the deciding factor with impressive figures of 3/41, and his performance was duly recognized as he was awarded the player of the match trophy.
Reflecting on his mindset during that crucial last over, Bhuvneshwar shared, “I told everyone process is a very important thing. I was virtually thoughtless; I was not thinking about the result. I was just trying to do what I can do.” The seasoned pacer showcased incredible composure, digging deep to deliver under immense pressure. “I knew if I could bowl just two good balls, and if it went to the last ball, I knew anything could happen. It was a full toss, I know, and he missed it,” he said, recounting the decisive moment of the game.
Despite a season marred by inconsistency – remaining wicketless in half of the ten matches he played – when the ball started to swing, Bhuvneshwar rediscovered his rhythm. He accounted for two key batsmen, Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson, in the opening over itself, with Samson’s wicket falling to an exquisite delivery that would be the envy of any bowler. “It was the first match the ball swung so much. I can’t really pinpoint where the ball swung last, but the way it swung I really enjoyed it. When it swings, you are always on top of the game, you try to take wickets and luckily, I got wickets,” he elaborated with a passion evident for the craft of pace and swing bowling.
In related news, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s chief medical officer has resigned following a shocking report concerning Ihsanullah’s injury. Meanwhile, the IPL franchises are grappling with a sharp decline in revenue compared to the previous fiscal year. On another front, this nail-biting last-ball finish between SRH and RR has once again brought to light the debate over the efficiency of the current LBW rule, prompting former player Dale Steyn to suggest possible amendments.
The triumph scripted by Bhuvneshwar Kumar has etched its place in the annals of IPL history, serving as a testament to the unpredictable and thrilling nature of T20 cricket. His ability to perform under pressure not only salvaged the match for his team but also provided a moment of cricketing brilliance that will be remembered by fans for years to come. It is these climactic finishes that define the spirit of cricket in the IPL, making every game a potential classic to the very last ball.
