RCB vs PBKS | Bhuvneshwar Kumar on Patidar’s Calm Captaincy and Bengaluru Pitch Challenge

Calm Leadership and Tactical Clarity: Royal Challengers Bengaluru Ready for Punjab Challenge

As Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) gear up for their anticipated clash against Punjab Kings, there is an air of calm determination within the dressing room. Speaking ahead of the game, senior pace spearhead Bhuvneshwar Kumar offered insights into the team’s approach and praised the leadership of stand-in skipper Rajat Patidar, while reinforcing the team's readiness to adapt to the conditions at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Despite the reputation Chinnaswamy holds for being a run-fest haven, Bhuvneshwar made a key observation the wicket has been behaving differently this season. “Our preparation is as usual, nothing different. What we do for any opposition on any ground, it is going to be the same. We know the Chinnaswamy is known for batting, but if you look at the wicket, it is not the same as what it used to be,” he said.

That evolving nature of the surface has forced the RCB camp to read situations on the fly. “We’ll look at the first few overs and then see how the wicket plays, and then we will decide how to approach things accordingly,” Bhuvneshwar explained, echoing a more nuanced tactical flexibility that has become central to RCB’s strategy this season. 

Bowling Roles Evolve with Game Situation

When it comes to bowling duties, especially in T20 cricket, adaptability is key. For a team with the experienced pairing of Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, defining fixed roles is secondary to reading the match scenario. “Normally, if you look at our bowling, Hazlewood and I both bowl with the new ball, and both bowl at the death,” Bhuvneshwar said. “So it's a pretty standard role we have, but it keeps changing from match to match.”

That flexibility has been evident in how RCB have approached their matches, particularly in adjusting field settings, length variations, and pressure bowling under dew-laden conditions in the second innings. “We both want to take wickets and want to do well for the team,” he added, reaffirming the duo’s responsibility to lead the bowling attack both in execution and mindset.

Rajat Patidar’s Leadership: Poise Under Pressure

Bhuvneshwar also lauded the leadership qualities of Rajat Patidar, who has stepped up as captain this season. While the leadership baton is new for Patidar, the right-handed batter has displayed maturity beyond his years. “He's been very good. The best thing is that he's been calm. That's what he needed, especially in this format,” Bhuvneshwar shared.

RCB’s campaign hasn’t been flawless they’ve endured defeats but Patidar’s calmness under pressure has been a steadying force. “We lost two matches, but he's been the same whether we won or we lost. So he's been handling everything very well. With the bowling changes and everything, he's been superb,” Bhuvneshwar observed.

The compliment from a senior pro like Bhuvneshwar reflects the positive environment Patidar has fostered a mix of tactical clarity and emotional stability.

RCB’s Broader Evolution: Beyond the Boundary

Royal Challengers Bengaluru, owned by Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited, a subsidiary of Diageo India, have grown into one of the most recognizable franchises in world cricket. While the men's team has consistently reached playoffs (notably in 2020, 2021, and 2022), the 2024 season saw them script one of IPL’s greatest turnarounds winning six straight games to qualify after being written off with just a 1% chance.

In women’s cricket, RCB’s presence has been nothing short of dominant. The franchise lifted the WPL 2024 title, led by Smriti Mandhana, the most expensive buy in women's league cricket history. That triumph not only brought silverware but underscored RCB’s growing legacy across formats and genders.

RCB’s identity is not limited to cricket anymore. Through business expansions like RCB Hustle (a fitness product), Dash of RCB (a non-alcoholic cocktail mixer), and the iconic RCB Bar & Café including its new outlet at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru they have built a cultural and commercial ecosystem around their bold red and gold brand.

UNESCO’s recognition of the airport as the "World’s Most Beautiful Airport" only added to the fanfare around their latest café expansion.

Focus Ahead: Punjab Challenge and the Battle for Momentum

As RCB prepare to meet Punjab Kings, the stakes are growing higher. Both teams sit close on the points table, and a win could provide critical momentum as the tournament moves toward the playoff push. However, conditions in Bengaluru are no longer predictable. The Chinnaswamy pitch has offered variable pace, slower bounce, and even early swing requiring teams to balance their attacking instincts with patience.

RCB’s batting arsenal Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Patidar, Livingstone, and Jitesh Sharma is capable of devastating starts. But the surface may demand more than brute force. The bowling side, spearheaded by Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar, with support from Suyash Sharma and Yash Dayal, will have to deliver on match awareness and execution.

Meanwhile, Punjab Kings come into the clash with renewed confidence, having recently defended the lowest-ever total in IPL history. They too have a powerful lineup with Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer, and Yuzvendra Chahal returning to a venue he knows better than anyone.

Final Word: Patience, Poise, and Process

RCB’s success in IPL 2025 may hinge less on explosive performances and more on the consistency of mindset and execution attributes Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rajat Patidar embody. With a team filled with talent and a leadership core that remains composed under fire, the challenge against Punjab could prove to be another defining moment in their evolving journey.

As Bhuvneshwar reminded everyone while preparation remains routine, the ability to adapt in the moment is what separates good teams from great ones. With eyes set on the prize and feet grounded in process, RCB head into this crucial fixture with a belief that runs deeper than the scoreboard.