Ravi Shastri smells foul play in RCB hiding Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the name of injury
Published - 23 Mar 2025, 12:15 PM | Updated - 23 Mar 2025, 11:37 PM
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Ravi Shastri was left stunned as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ignored the seasoned pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar for their IPL 2025 opener against the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday, March 22.
Despite winning the toss and opting to field first, Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s decision to overlook Bhuvneshwar Kumar raised many eyebrows, especially with the Impact Player rule favoring an extra bowler for teams bowling first.
RCB’s decision to bench Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the IPL 2025 opener against KKR raises eyebrows
Instead, RCB went in with just four specialist bowlers, depending on their all-rounders Krunal Pandya and Liam Livingstone for additional support against the KKR. Josh Hazlewood led the pace attack, but Ravi Shastri was shocked by RCB's decision to prefer Yash Dayal and Rasikh Salam Dar over Bhuvneshwar.
Notably, Bhuvneshwar was signed by the franchise for a hefty INR 10.75 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction last year. The 35-year-old pacer is among the highest wicket-takers in IPL history with 181 wickets in 176 matches.
Well, Royal Challengers Bengaluru quickly felt the impact of Bhuvneshwar's absence, as they struggled to maintain control later in the powerplay despite restricting KKR to 9/1 in the first three overs in the season opener.
Hazlewood and Dayal troubled KKR’s top order on a lively pitch. Even Hazlewood even dismissed Quinton de Kock in the opening over while Sunil Narine struggled to score.
RCB feels Bhuvneshwar Kumar's absence after Rasikh Salam Dar's costly over
But the match took a drastic turn when RCB captain Rajat Patidar handed the ball to Rasikh Salam Dar in the fourth over, and KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane immediately went berserk, smashing two sixes and a boundary against the young pacer at Eden Gardens.
The last three overs of the powerplay proved costly for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, as they conceded 51 runs with Kolkata Knight Riders racing to 60/1, shifting the momentum completely. However, the Bengaluru team won the match by seven wickets, but drama over Bhuvneshwar’s exclusion left many surprised.
RCB said that Bhuvneshwar Kumar missed out on the season opener due to a minor injury, but the skipper, Rajat Patidar, didn’t mention anything about the injury. This left many wondering the actual reason behind the veteran Indian bowler’s exclusion.
Ravi Shastri shocked as RCB dropped Bhuvneshwar Kumar for IPL 2025 opener
Ravi Shastri said while commentating on the match, “Hard to understand why Bhuvneshar Kumar is not playing. He is vastly experienced. He should have been there.”
Notably, the franchise posted on X after the toss on Kolkata on Saturday: “We go with 2 spinners and 3 pacers. Salt, Liam, Tim, and Hazlewood fill the overseas quota! Unfortunately, Bhuvi misses out due to a minor injury. He’ll be back soon.”
On the other hand, Patidar stated at the toss, “We have decided to bowl first; the pitch looks hard. Amazing to lead RCB and a great opportunity to learn from the great players. We have done proper preparations for the last 10-15 days.”
Notably, RCB will next face Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing IPL 2025 on March 28 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
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