First time in IPL history: Bhuvneshwar Kumar on the brink of achieving sensational feat Cricket News

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been an integral part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad squad since joining them in 2014 and the fast bowler is on the verge of setting a stunning record as his team takes on him in the first match of IPL 2024 on Saturday Kolkata Knight Riders. Bhuvneshwar is just 4 wickets short of 150 wickets for Sunrisers Hyderabad, which would make him the first Indian bowler in the league to achieve the feat with a single team. So far, only Lasith Malinga (Mumbai Indians) and Sunil Narine (Kolkata Knight Riders) have taken 150 wickets for a single team in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer’s return from long-term injury will be in the spotlight as the IPL’s two biggest signings – Australian pacer Mitchell Starc Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins will go head-to-head.

The India batsman, who missed the entire season last year due to a back injury, is back in the lead for KKR, who have made some tactical additions while keeping the core of the squad intact.

Shreyas recently scored 95 in the Ranji Trophy in Mumbai but it remains to be seen if he will be able to play in all the matches considering his fitness issues.

KKR’s most successful leader Gautam Gambhir is back in the second innings as a mentor. His partnership with head coach Chandrakant Pandit, a savvy tactician in the domestic circuit, will be key to their revival.

“This is your team, win or lose,” team principal owner Shah Rukh Khan told Gambhir. Under the former Indian cricketer’s captaincy, KKR had a golden run between 2011 and 2017 – two IPL titles, five playoff appearances and a run in the now-defunct Champions League T20 tournament Won second place.

The biggest signing of this IPL was KKR’s acquisition of Starc for a record Rs 24.75 crore. The left-arm fast player will face huge pressure to perform.

His magic on the power play and death overs will be key. Starc and Andre Russell are the only two experienced pacers in KKR’s squad and with no similar replacements available, their workload management will be crucial.

(with PTI input)