With nine needed from three balls in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) chase of 167 against Mumbai Indians (MI), Bhuvneshwar Kumar found himself on strike. As Raj Bawa bowled a wide yorker, Bhuvneshwar not only got under it but also scythed it over the deep-cover fielder for a six. Two balls later, a scampered two took RCB over the line and to the top of the points table.

Earlier in the day, Bhuvneshwar had picked up 4 for 23, which played a big role in him being named the Player of the Match. When asked what he would remember more fondly, he said, “Six, for sure, because I’ve bowled [well] many times before, I’ve taken a few wickets as well. But yeah, this is the thing I enjoyed the most.”

On a two-paced surface in Raipur, Bhuvneshwar largely stuck to good length and reduced MI to 28 for 3 in three overs. In his opening over, he had Ryan Rickelton caught at mid-off. In his second, he had Rohit Sharma caught behind with a knuckleball and Suryakumar Yadav caught at first slip off successive deliveries.

“I was being proactive [against Rohit],” he said. “I was thinking Rohit might step out because he has played me that way in the past. SKY [Suryakumar] was new to the crease. So I wanted to bowl the normal length ball, and it worked.”

Bhuvneshwar now has 21 wickets in the season, the most by any bowler. Not just that, he has been exceptionally economical too. He has an economy rate of 7.00 in the powerplay, 8.42 in the middle overs and 7.83 at the death. Among those who have bowled at least 50 balls in the powerplay, he has the joint-best economy rate alongside Lucknow Super Giants’ Mohsin Khan. With the same 50-ball criterion, he is the most frugal at the death.

Given he had last played for India in November 2022, how does he keep himself motivated?

“Honestly, motivation is a very overrated word for me,” he said. “You read some quote, you watch some video, and you get motivated for a few minutes. But that fades away very quickly. The thing that keeps me going is discipline.

“Yes, there are physios and trainers with the team, but I’ve got a physio and a trainer back at home. They work hard with me as well. They help me to stay in shape, so yeah, credit goes to them as well.”

In between the IPL seasons, Bhuvneshwar keeps himself in touch with the game through the UP T20 League and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

“The good thing is that throughout the year, I’m getting enough match practice to stay in touch and enough breaks to recharge myself, bring back the strength. I play the UP T20 and the Mushtaq Ali , and that’s enough practice for me to be in touch. Of course when the IPL comes, there is a different [kind of] practice, because the level in the Mushtaq Ali and the UP T20 is probably different. So when I come back to the IPL, we have the camp, and I do whatever I need to.”

With the ball coming out of the hand nicely, Bhuvneshwar’s confidence is high. Moreover, he is enjoying the freedom the RCB team management has given him.

“Probably the best feeling for me, when you do what you want to – you feel confident,” he said “This team management leaves everything to you. So, yes, you feel happy when you can do whatever you want to do.”