IPL 2026: Bhuvneshwar Kumar's quiet craft still cuts deep; how veteran seamer dominated wicket charts

DHARAMSHALA: If not for the IPL, Bhuvneshwar Kumar may have quietly slipped from the spotlight after serving India for more than a decade. In the batting-dominated world of the league, however, the veteran seamer has held his own and forced everyone to take note of his bowling exploits.


With 24 wickets from 14 matches, the 36-year-old sits at the top of the wicket-takers’ chart this season along with Kagiso Rabada. His wickets have come at an economy of 8.07 and a strike rate of 13.75. Last year wasn’t bad either. He played a crucial role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s maiden IPL triumph, claiming 17 wickets from 14 games.







Bhuvneshwar sounds like a man who has made peace with his time in international cricket, having last played for India in a T20I against New Zealand in Napier in 2022. But that hasn’t stopped the India veteran from delivering. He looks supremely fit for a 36-year-old. He has cut down on domestic cricket and uses the UP T20 league to get himself into the best physical shape for the rigours of the IPL. Swing has never been a problem for the UP veteran from the day he first held the ball in his hand. What Bhuvneshwar has done remarkably well over the years is adjust his length. His international experience helps him read the surface early, and he pitches the ball up only when the track offers initial movement. If the surface doesn’t assist, he keeps batters guessing with subtle variations in length. This season, he has claimed 15 of his 24 wickets in the Powerplay.


Where Bhuvneshwar has improved dramatically is in the death overs. He mixes his lengths, nails the yorker and has added a useful knuckleball to his armoury. He has also formed a potent combination with Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood and acts as a mentor to the likes of Rasikh Dar in the side.


“He is an experienced bowler. He knows about his strengths. His presence in the team is very important as he talks to the junior players often and guides them,” said RCB captain Rajat Patidar.


His journey this season, however, hasn’t been without blips. He was carted around the park in RCB’s previous game against Sunrisers Hyderabad, conceding 51 from his four without claiming a wicket.
Stay updated with the upcoming IPL match between RCB vs GT and the latest IPL news on Times of India. Follow the IPL schedule and track the race for the IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap.