Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar became only the second bowler in IPL history to concede 50-plus runs nine times in an IPL innings. He joined Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and fellow Indian quick Mohammed Shami in the unwanted list, going ahead of another international fast-bowler, Mohammed Siraj, who has been hit for 50 or more runs eight times in the IPL.
Bhuvneshwar, the Purple Cap holder of IPL 2026, bowled a spell of 0/51 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Friday (May 22).
The right-arm pacer had a really tough outing on a flat track. With no movement available in the powerplay, Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head played him out easily, plundering a six and two boundaries in his first
two overs. Rajat Patidar saw that and decided against giving him a third over in the first six.
He came back in the 15th over amid a belligerent partnership between Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan, who found three more boundaries and another six.
RCB reach 255/4 in the first innings
Sunrisers Hyderabad continued their fearless batting approach at home, piling up a daunting 255/4 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Friday. Abhishek Sharma set the tone with a blistering 56 off 22 balls, attacking from the outset and taking on Bhuvneshwar Kumar with clean hitting during the powerplay.
At the other end, Ishan Kishan mixed innovation with timing in a superb 79 off 44 deliveries, finding boundaries regularly and keeping the scoreboard moving. Heinrich Klaasen then unleashed another destructive knock, smashing 51 off just 24 balls and tearing apart the RCB attack in the death overs. The South African particularly targeted Josh Hazlewood, collecting 27 runs from one over to push SRH beyond the 250-mark.
RCB’s other bowlers also struggled for answers on a batting-friendly surface as SRH hammered 20 fours and 16 sixes. Nitish Kumar Reddy added the finishing touches with a rapid unbeaten 29 off 12 balls.
