Kamal Ghorui
Veteran India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar is on the verge of a significant milestone as Royal Challengers Bengaluru prepare to face Chennai Super Kings in match 11 of IPL 2026 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday. The experienced seamer needs just one more wicket to reach 200 IPL scalps, a mark achieved by only one bowler so far. Yuzvendra Chahal remains the sole player to have crossed the milestone, with 224 wickets in 176 matches, making Bhuvneshwar’s impending feat even more special as he could become the first fast bowler to get there. Over the years, Bhuvneshwar has transformed his game considerably. Once known primarily for his swing with the new ball, he has developed into a reliable option at the death as well. His use of variations like the knuckleball, combined with accurate yorkers, has made him a complete T20 bowler capable of delivering across phases. He played an understated yet crucial role in RCB’s title-winning run last season. While Josh Hazlewood grabbed the spotlight, Bhuvneshwar consistently chipped in with 17 wickets in 14 matches. His impact was particularly evident in the closing stages of innings, where he picked up seven wickets, including a key spell in the final against Punjab Kings. With Hazlewood unavailable at the start of this season, Bhuvneshwar has stepped up as the leader of RCB’s attack. He made an immediate impression in their opening game against Sunrisers Hyderabad, conceding just 31 runs in four overs while contributing in both the powerplay and at the death. In the build-up to the clash against CSK, he has also looked sharp in training, troubling batters with a mix of hard lengths, cutters, and pinpoint yorkers. Bhuvneshwar’s IPL journey has been marked by remarkable consistency. He holds the record for most wickets in the powerplay, with 80 to his name at an economy rate of 6.52. At the death, he has taken 93 wickets, second only to Dwayne Bravo. His career in the league has evolved through several phases, from limited opportunities early on with RCB to a breakthrough period with Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he claimed back-to-back Purple Caps in 2016 and 2017. After a dip in form, he has staged a strong resurgence in recent seasons. Since 2023, Bhuvneshwar has regained his rhythm, picking up 45 wickets in 45 innings while adapting effectively to the increasing demands of T20 cricket. As RCB gear up for a high-profile contest against CSK, the spotlight will firmly be on Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who stands just one wicket away from a historic landmark that could further cement his legacy as one of the IPL’s finest bowlers.
