IPL 2026 | 'He has been outstanding for us...': Andy Flower on Bhuvneshwar Kumar

RCB pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar celebrates the wicket of GT opener Sai Sudharsan during the IPL final in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Pic/IPL

While the award ceremony after Sunday's IPL final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad was all about batters, the crucial role played by the bowlers seemed to have dawned upon a few the next morning.

On Monday, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) head coach Andy Flower credited veteran India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar for his match-winning performances throughout RCB's title defence at IPL-19. Bhuvneshwar, 36, known for his accuracy and swing, claimed 2-29, accounting for dangerous Gujarat Titans opener Sai Sudarshan and all-rounder Jason Holder to eventually restrict the hosts to 155-8, a target RCB achieved with five wickets in hand.

RCB players celebrate with the IPL-19 trophy in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Pic/IPL

Following his 17-wicket show in RCB's maiden IPL win last year, the right-arm pacer emerged as the second-highest wicket-taker this season with 28 scalps. The top wicket-taker was GT pacer Kagiso Rabada (29 wickets).

"Bhuvi has been outstanding for us across these last two seasons [2025 and 2026], and arguably, we would not have had our success at all over the last two seasons if he hadn't been producing performances under pressure repeatedly the way he has done over the last two seasons," Flower said during the virtual press conference on Monday.

Andy Flower. Pic/IPL

RCB's bowling attack has been brilliant throughout the tournament. Besides Bhuvneshwar, Rasikh Salam took 19 wickets while Aussie pacer Josh Hazlewood claimed 15 wickets and left-arm spinner Krunal Pandya picked 14.

At the post-match press conference, RCB skipper Rajat Patidar hailed his bowlers. "The planning was clear. Whenever we won the toss, it was easy to chase given the way Bhuvi [Bhuvneshwar Kumar], [Josh] Hazlewood, Rasikh [Salam] and KP [Krunal Mandya] bowled throughout the tournament," said Patidar.

Years of experience and veteran Virat Kohli's (42-ball 75, 9x4s, 3x6s) mental strength helped set up RCB's chase and Patidar lavished praise on his superstar teammate. "If I speak about Virat bhai, I won't have enough words. He is used to doing great things. He's a great player. He always goes to our players and keeps talking to them about cricket. I think that's superb," said Patidar, adding that even he has personally benefitted a lot from Kohli. "Virat bhai's presence makes a lot of difference. For me, it's a great learning as I always watch him whenever I'm around him, both on and off the field. And whenever I have some doubt regarding the leadership role or while taking any decision, I always approach him. One thing I have learnt after watching him is that his energy at the nets is similar to that during a match," added Patidar.

28
No. of wickets claimed by Bhuvneshwar Kumar in IPL-19 - the second-most, behind GT pacer Kagiso Rabada (29)

Six
No. of three or more wicket hauls for Bhuvneshwar Kumar in IPL-19 - the most by any player

Record-breaking IPL-19 in numbers

27,450
Total number of runs scored

1426
Total number of sixes smashed

2332
Total number of fours hit

15
Total number of individual centuries

65
No. of 200-plus totals

17
No. of 200-plus runs chased