New Delhi: India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar believes bowlers should not be viewed as victims in modern T20 cricket, arguing that they have the ability to dictate terms despite the growing dominance of aggressive batting.
The experienced fast bowler said the evolving nature of the format, particularly the introduction of the Impact Player rule in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has encouraged batters to attack from the very first delivery. However, he believes bowlers can still influence the outcome by using their skills, plans and tactical awareness.
Bhuvneshwar made history in April by becoming the first fast bowler and only the second cricketer overall to reach 200 wickets in the IPL. He also played an important role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title-winning campaigns in 2025 and 2026.
Reflecting on the changing demands of T20 cricket, Bhuvneshwar said the Impact Player rule had significantly influenced the mindset of batters, making them more aggressive from the beginning of an innings.
He stressed that bowlers needed to change their perspective and focus on controlling where batters played their shots rather than simply reacting to the pressure created by attacking cricket.
The pacer also highlighted how much the game has changed over the past four years, both in franchise competitions and international cricket. With teams regularly posting massive totals, a score of 200 is increasingly being treated as a competitive benchmark rather than an exceptional achievement.
Bhuvneshwar also spoke about the challenges of overseas tours, particularly in South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia, where conditions can test players in different ways. He expressed confidence in India’s young group, pointing to the experience gained by players who have competed at the highest level for several years.
On Saturday, October 24, Bhuvneshwar marked his comeback by claiming a crucial wicket, dismissing New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell for six runs in the third over. The breakthrough provided a timely reminder of his ability to make an impact even as T20 cricket continues to become increasingly batter-friendly.
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