Bhuvneshwar Kumar may be soft-spoken, but his IPL legacy speaks volumes. With 193 wickets, he’s the leading fast bowler in the tournament’s history and trails only Yuzvendra Chahal (219) on the all-time list. His longevity in a constantly evolving game, he says, comes from “being proactive – staying a step ahead of the batter.”
Now back with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) after nearly 16 years, Bhuvneshwar is playing a key role in their impressive 2025 season. Alongside Josh Hazlewood and Yash Dayal, the trio has combined for 40 wickets so far. RCB also boasts the second-best economy rate at the death – conceding just 10.23 runs per over between overs 17 and 20, marginally behind Mumbai Indians.
“I’m really happy to return to RCB after 16 years,” Bhuvneshwar said in a video shared by the franchise. “Back in 2008-09 or maybe 2010, I came in as a young player. Now in 2025, I’m back with a lot more experience.
“When it comes to Yash, Josh and myself – we’re similar in some ways but also quite different. We can all swing the ball, but Josh brings extra bounce with his height, Yash adds a left-arm angle, and all three of us are capable of bowling in any phase of the innings. That variety and versatility help us complement each other.
“There have been games this season where I didn’t perform well, but they covered for me. And when others have had off days, I’ve stepped up. That balance and support among us is a great sign.”
Bhuvneshwar has delivered some standout performances this season, including back-to-back 2-for-26 returns in Bengaluru, albeit in losing causes. His most impactful showing came against Delhi Capitals, where he took 3 for 33, including the key wickets of KL Rahul, Ashutosh Sharma, and Tristan Stubbs in the final overs. Across 11 death overs this season, he has claimed five wickets with an economy of 10.09.
“Death bowling is all about instinct,” he said. “It’s shaped by the match situation and your mindset. We always go into matches with a plan, but often, things change on the field. That’s when instinct takes over.
“Sometimes everything looks calm, but you just get a feeling the batter is about to try something. That’s when being proactive comes into play – reading the game, staying ahead of the batter. It doesn’t always work, but as long as you’re dictating the terms, you’re in control.”
