Bhuvneshwar Kumar reclaimed the Purple Cap with figures of 2/28 against GT.
The veteran pacer took 2 wickets for 28 runs in his four overs, successfully choking GT batters in their 255-run chase to reclaim the Purple Cap and push the defending champions to their second consecutive final.
After the win, Bhuvneshwar stated that the RCB bowling unit’s success this season has been built on meticulous preparation and execution.
“I think a lot of credit goes to the men behind the scenes. It's everyone. I mean, yes, the experience we brought in, me and Hoff (Hazlewood) is one thing, but yes, when it comes to support staff, the small, small things they're bringing it, you might avoid that. But if experienced players like Hoff and I are accepted and you apply that rule, it works for us. And I think we've been doing that since the first match and it's helping us a lot,” Bhuvneshwar said in the post-match interview.
Bhuvneshwar noted that while the team is "data-informed" when plotting against opposition batters, the bowlers rely primarily on situational awareness rather than going "100 per cent" by the numbers.
“I think we can say that we are data informed. If there is something new the players are doing, okay, we definitely look into that and try to adapt. But we don't depend 100% on data. But yes it helps,” he remarked.
During the chase, GT’s innings collapsed to a dismal 162 all out in 19.3 overs, with Rahul Tewatia (68 off 43) being the only highlight.
Reflecting on their plans, Bhuvneshwar said the RCB bowlers denied the Titans' hitters any room to free their arms by attacking the stumps
“That's like I said, part of the planning. If you look at that plan, anything short or fuller, it goes for a boundary. But yes, we make a lot of effort not to give any room and try to get LBW and bowled. So it's definitely part of our planning,” he concluded.