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Royal Challengers Bengaluru veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar went on to pick among the finest death overs specialists to complete a scenario where the opposition team needs to chase 50 runs in the final five overs.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are into the finals of the IPL 2026 edition, and one of the frontline best performers has been the experienced pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Not only has Bhuvi been at his wicket-taking best this season, but his economy has been exceptional in major situations.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has picked 26 wickets this season in 15 matches of the season, and his best bowling figures have come especially towards the back end of the innings. He has emerged as a death overs specialist.
Bhuvi backs legendary IPL spinner for first over in 50-run chase scenario
Bhuvneshwar Kumar was asked to select among the best five active bowlers to see if he would be assigned the job to defend just 50 runs off the last five overs. The experienced pacer showed every glimpse of his experience in picking the absolute best in the business.
Chasing just 50 runs in the last five overs needs a good start, and hence, Bhuvi called in Kolkata Knight Riders' legendary spinner Sunil Narine for the 16th over of the game. He would be perfect to bowl the first over and apply the early pressure on the chasing team.
Sunil Narine has an economy of just 6.50 throughout his career in the IPL, and hence, he is perfect for bowling under these circumstances. In a hypothetical scenario, he would not give more than 6 runs in the over.
Aussies line up in Bhuvi's death overs specialist attack
The next two bowlers in Bhuvneshwar's attack are two of Australia's most legendary pacers. Josh Hazlewood, the RCB teammate, was assigned for the 17th over by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who felt that runs still needed to be checked.
Hazlewood is accurate with his yorkers and is very economical in the death overs. After two silent overs, batters would need to cash in on some bowlers, and Mitchell Starc is just the right bowler to set in under those circumstances.
Mitchell Starc might not be one of the most economical, yet he is one of the world's greatest strike bowlers and often the best to step in in these situations. Any team to defend such scores needs wickets towards the back end.
Not Bhuvneshwar Kumar, SRH's pacer picked to bowl 20th over under challenging conditions
Bhuvneshwar picked the world's greatest death overs specialist, Jasprit Bumrah, for the 19th over of the game. He didn't think twice before making the choice, as only one bad season for Bumrah cannot take away a world of glory from his career.
Backing the massive combination, Bhuvneshwar could have picked himself to complete the final over of the scenario; however, he picked Sunrisers Hyderabad pacer Eshan Malinga for the role. Malinga has bowled perfectly under these scenarios, as he has defended small scores, has been economical, and has also picked several wickets in the recently ongoing season of the IPL.
Need 50 off the last 5 Overs 🏏
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) May 30, 2026
Which 5 active bowlers would Bhuvneshwar Kumar pick to bowl one over each ❓
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