The unexpected 10-day break has left both the RCB and the KKR with different goals to achieve and common challenges to hurdle over.
Virat Kohli's nearly two-decade long agonising wait to lay his hands on an IPL trophy with Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be up against Shreyas Iyer's resolve to make first-time winners out of the tenacious Punjab Kings.
Along with his ability to adapt, the high release point makes Hazlewood a tricky customer to deal with on any kind of surface, as it allows him to find that disconcerting extra bounce.
Virat and Krunal inspired Bengaluru to the top of the table by stitching up an impeccable 119-run stand to safely guide the Royal Challengers through the turbulent phase.
Bhuvneshwar spearheaded the pace attack and bagged two crucial wickets - skipper Shikhar Dhawan and impact substitute Prabhsimran Singh. In his four-over spell, he bowled 13 dot balls, and conceded 32 runs at an economy of 8.00.
He also got clobbered along the way but was always in contention for wickets and weaved his magic particularly at the backend of the innings.
The appointment of Mo Bobat and Andy Flower and Dinesh Karthik into the coaching staff changed the template, and it reflected in RCB's approach in the auction room in 2024.
IMAGES from the IPL match between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Sunday
Royal Challengers Bengaluru pacer Josh Hazlewood says the lack of a strong powerplay segment added to RCB's woes in the IPL match against Punjab Kings in Bengaluru on Friday.
An out of sorts Rohit Sharma will strive to keep himself relevant going forward in the Indian Premier League when he is challenged by Delhi Capitals' effective troika of spinners in Mumbai Indians' next match in Delhi on Sunday.
Chennai Super Kings might feel more 'at home' against an equally clueless Rajasthan Royals on a slow turner expected to be on offer in their next IPL game in Guwahati.
Virat Kohli opened up on his batting methodology, saying his focus remains on analysing the conditions and rotating the strike.
Former champions Rajasthan Royals (RR), who suffered a heart-wrenching 11-run defeat at the hands of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Thursday, are virtually eliminated from the playoff contention in IPL 2025.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar didn't mince words when he categorically said that 'things could have been different' had Aiden Markram's catch been taken or a couple of close run-outs been effected in the team's five-wicket defeat against South Africa on Sunday.
The Chennai-born cricketer has 185 wickets in 217 matches at an average of 29.92, conceding runs at an economy of 7.18.
Bhuvneshwar took six wickets at an economy rate of 4.65 in the three ODIs
Seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who played a vital role in Sunrisers Hyderabad's Indian Premier League triumphant campaign last year, said he is determined to contribute in the upcoming 10th edition of the IPL especially in the death overs.
IMAGES from the IPL match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings at the Chinnaswamy stadium, in Bengaluru on Friday
'Great start for RCB and it really is looking good. We are not going into the space of, 'Is this the year (RCB will win the IPL)?'
Arshdeep Singh credits his success in the T20 World Cup to senior pace bowling partner Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who he said has been creating relentless pressure in the Powerplay overs which has made it easier for him to get wickets.
The young left-arm pacer held his nerve in a tense finish to bowl RCB to a narrow two-run victory in a high-scoring game.
RCB head coach Andy Flower confirmed England batter Phil Salt will partner Virat Kohli at the top of the order for his side in the next IPL.
IMAGES from the IPL match between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Mullanpur on Sunday
The BCCI, on Monday, declared pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar fit and said he will be a part of India 'A' squad in the ongoing Quadrangular series.
The likes of Devdutt Padikkal, Chetan Sakaria, Nitish Rana, Krishnappa Gowtham, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Varun Chakravarthy earned their maiden India call-up after they impressed in the IPL earlier this year, which was suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Sunrisers Hyderabad's seasoned seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar on Sunday praised his younger pace colleague Umran Malik, saying watching him bowl fast 'is a joy'.
Man of the match Abhishek Sharma cut a cake at the team hotel as SRH enjoyed a Super Sunday in Hyderabad.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar felt that his bowlers grabbing three crucial wickets during the Powerplay overs of Chennai Super Kings' chase was the game-changing moment in their 50-run win in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the M A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday.
'As a captain and a player, he never played for a draw, he always wanted to win.'
Pace bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar was promoted to Grade A, but Yuvraj Singh and Gautam Gambhir, who have lost favour with the selectors, were dropped from the list of BCCI's contracted players for 2014-15.
India suffered another injury blow ahead of the third and final Test against New Zealand, starting in Kolkata on Saturday, after pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar was ruled out with injury.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been an integral part of SunRisers Hyderabad in IPL in the last few years. This year the T20 league has been suspended indefinitely due to the pandemic and it is likely that it could be held overseas later this year.
All-rounder Hardik Pandya returned to the Indian squad for the three-match ODI series against South Africa after a six-month injury lay-off along with fit-again senior opener Shikhar Dhawan and seasoned seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar. This was the first selection meeting under new chairman Sunil Joshi. However, vice-captain Rohit Sharma is yet to fully recuperate from his calf muscle injury and is expected to return to action during the Indian Premier League later this month.
Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Kane Williamson will miss Tuesday's IPL match against Chennai Super Kings, owing to personal reasons.
Gujarat Titans produced an excellent all-round show to beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru by eight wickets in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Wednesday.
Calling all cricket lovers to take a crack at our latest IPL quiz.
IMAGES from the IPL match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday
Sunrisers Hyderabad's fielding was an absolute masterclass, suffocating the life out of the Lucknow SuperGiants innings.
Delhi's young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant got his maiden Test call-up as he was picked up as the additional glovesman along with Dinesh Karthik after Wriddhiman Saha was ruled out with injury for the upcoming five-match Test series against England.
In a display of raw power and audacious stroke play, Rajasthan Royals' 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi tore into the Gujarat Titans bowling attack with a scintillating knock during which multiple records fell by the wayside in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Monday.
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