IPL 2026: Bhuvneshwar Kumar scripts history, becomes first pacer to… | Cricket News

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar created history during the clash against Lucknow Super Giants by becoming the first fast bowler to complete 200 matches in IPL history. The landmark added another major achievement to Bhuvneshwar’s remarkable T20 career. Earlier this season, he had also become the first pacer and only the second player after Yuzvendra Chahal to complete 200 IPL wickets. The veteran seamer has continued his excellent form in IPL 2026 and currently leads the Purple Cap standings with 17 wickets in nine matches. Speaking about the milestone, Bhuvneshwar said reaching 200 IPL appearances was a proud moment in his career. “It is indeed special. Any milestone is, really, and playing 200 matches is, in itself, a massive achievement. So, naturally, I am feeling very happy,” Bhuvneshwar said. He also admitted that achieving the feat with a successful franchise made it even more satisfying. “I think the best part is that I am achieving this with a team that won the trophy last year and is playing exceptionally well this season; that makes it even better,” he added. Reflecting on his long IPL journey, the swing bowler picked his first-ever IPL wicket as the most memorable moment of his career. “It is very difficult to pick just one, but if I absolutely had to name something special, I would choose my debut wicket. My journey began so many years ago, and that very first wicket is always something special,” he said. Bhuvneshwar also opened up on the challenges of surviving as a fast bowler in modern-day T20 cricket, especially with the increasingly aggressive approach of batters during the Powerplay. “It has certainly been demanding, especially considering the way the format itself has evolved. Given the way batsmen are changing and the aggressive approach they are adopting during the Powerplay, it is always a demanding challenge to constantly improve one’s game,” he explained. However, the veteran credited his success to sticking to the basics throughout his career. “I believe what has worked for me personally is the consistent focus on strengthening my basics,” he added. With the achievement, Bhuvneshwar also entered an elite list of players to have featured in 200 or more IPL matches, becoming only the 12th cricketer overall to reach the landmark.