MI vs SRH: Aakash Chopra slams fans for neglecting Bhuvneshwar Kumar and praising Trent Boult

Former Indian batter and well-known commentator, Aakash Chopra, has expressed his disappointment that Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) Bhuvneshwar Kumar often doesn't receive the same recognition as Rajasthan Royals (RR) pacer Trent Boult for his effectiveness with the new ball.

His comments came after Bhuvneshwar played a key role in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) thrilling 1-run win over the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 50th game of the ongoing IPL 2024 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Thursday, May 2.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) set a formidable target of 202 runs for the Rajasthan Royals (RR), thanks to Nitish Kumar Reddy's (76*) and Travis Head’s (58*) important knocks in Hyderabad. Defending the target, Bhuvneshwar was instrumental with the ball, showcasing his bowling prowess with figures of 3/41 in his four overs against RR in the IPL 2024 clash.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar proved dangerous for RR

Meanwhile, the Indian seamer made a significant impact right from the start of the match by claiming two crucial wickets in the first over, and Chopra lauded Bhuvneshwar for his early breakthroughs against RR at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

Notably, Bhuvneshwar dismissed Jos Buttler with a perfectly executed outswinger, resulting in a golden duck as the RR opener edged the ball to slip, where Marco Jansen took a brilliant catch. Then, the SRH pacer delivered an in-swinging delivery that shattered the stumps of Sanju Samson, and the RR skipper returned back to the pavilion without opening his account.

He also dismissed another dangerous batter, Rovman Pavell (27 runs off 15 balls), to help SRH restrict the table-topping RR to 200/7 to win the IPL 2024 clash by one run in Hyderabad. Impressed by Bhuvneshwar's crucial contributions to SRH’s win, Chopra lauded his knack for striking early in the innings and setting the tone for SRH's bowling attack against RR.

Somehow, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is underrated: Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel: “201 was a very decent total and then Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed Buttler in the first over and Sanju Samson right after that - two incredible deliveries. He now has 27 wickets in the first over of the powerplay - no one has taken more than him.

However, somehow, he is underrated. People talk about Trent Boult but no one talks about Bhuvi. Ok, let me say this - Death, taxes and Bhuvneshwar Kumar taking a wicket in the first over is permanent. He showed that by doing it.”

Earlier, Bhuvneshwar won the Player of the Match award for his match-winning figures against RR. After the match, the senior seamer revealed that his mind was blank while bowling the last over.

Bhuvneshwar told the Star Sports: “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. 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.”