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RCB provide crucial update on Bhuvneshwar Kumar's fitness days ahead of CSK clash, say 'Bhuvi will be swinging back...'

Bhuvneshwar Kumar who missed the IPL 2025 opener on March 22 due to a minor injury is likely to regain fitness for the clash against Chennai Super Kings.

Sports Tak

• Mon • 24 Mar 2025

Bhuvneshwar Kumar participates in a practice session of Royal Challengers Bangalore at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India, on March 20, 2025.

Highlights:

Bhuvneshwar Kumar missed the KKR game due to minor injury.

Bhuvneshwar is expected to be fit again for CSK clash.

Bhuvneshwar concedes runs at under 7 runs per over against CSK.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were without the services of their star recruit Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 opener. Bhuvneshwar was seen in the dugout as he suffered a minor injury. Ahead of the clash against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, RCB have hinted at Bhuvneshwar's return.

"Bhuvi will be swinging back into action sooner and bolder than ever!" RCB wrote in a post on March 24.

As Bhuvneshwar could not make his RCB debut due to injury, young pacer Rasikh Salam was expensive got the opportunity. Rasikh was expensive but got the prized wicket of Sunil Narine. He broke the partnership in the 10th over of the innings. He conceded 35 runs in three overs.

Bhuvi's record against CSK

Bhuvneshwar does not have the best of records against CSK. He has 13 wickets from 20 games at an average of 39.46. However, he does not leak runs against CSK. His economy rate against the five-time IPL champions is impressive at 6.90 runs per over.

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RCB's Chennai drought

RCB haven't fared well when they have played CSK in Chennai. The last time RCB beat CSK in Chennai was in the inaugural edition of the league in 2008. From the current squad, only Virat Kohli was part of the side that registered a win in Chennai.

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RCB pacers' day out at Eden Gardens

Despite losing the services of Bhuvneshwar at Eden Gardens, RCB pace attack did well to restrict the hosts to 174/8. Josh Hazlewood justified his price tag as he got two wickets and conceded just 22 runs from his quota of four overs. Left-arm pacer Yash Dayal conceded 25 runs from three overs and got the wicket of Angkrish Raghuvanshi in the slog overs.

Half-centuries from openers Phil Salt and Virat Kohli helped Rajat Patidar-led RCB chase down the target in 16.2 overs.

CSK start with a win

CSK beat five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians (MI) at home by four wickets to kickstart their season. Their Afghan recruit Noor Ahmad got four wickets for 18 runs, best figures by a CSK pacer against MI. Also, Khaleel Ahmed got three wickets for 29 runs on his CSK debut. Chasing a target of 156, Rachin Ravindra and Ruturaj Gaikwad's fifties helped hosts win by four wickets with five balls to spare.