Bhuvneshwar Kumar of RCB (Getty Images) Veteran Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar is on the verge of a major 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 only player to surpass the milestone with 224 wickets in 176 matches, making Bhuvneshwar’s upcoming feat even more special as he could become the first fast bowler to reach there.
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Shashank Singh on Punjab’s strong start, Priyansh’s growth and team mentality | IPL 2026 Over the years, Bhuvneshwar has transformed his game considerably. Once known primarily for his new-ball swing, he has evolved into a reliable option at the death as well. His use of variations like the knuckleball combined with accurate yorkers made him a complete T20 bowler capable of serving across phases.He played an underrated but crucial role for RCB last season. While Josh Hazlewood has grabbed the limelight, Bhuvneshwar has been consistent with 17 wickets in 14 matches. His impact was particularly evident in the closing stages of the innings, where he picked up seven wickets, including a crucial spell in the final against Punjab Kings.With Hazlewood unavailable at the start of this season, Bhuvneshwar has emerged 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 and contributing to both the overs and the death overs.He also looked sharp in training in the build-up to the CSK clash, troubling the batsmen with a mixture of hard lengths, cutters and accurate yorkers.Bhuvneshwar’s IPL journey has been characterized by remarkable consistency. He holds the record for most wickets in the power bowler, with 80 to his name at an economy rate of 6.52. He took 93 wickets at the death, second only to Dwayne Brave.His career in the league has evolved in several phases, from limited opportunities at the start with RCB to a breakthrough period with Sunrisers Hyderabad where he won back-to-back Purple Caps in 2016 and 2017. After a dip in form, he has made a strong recovery in recent seasons.Since 2023, Bhuvneshwar has regained his rhythm, picking up 45 wickets in 45 innings while adapting effectively to the growing demands of T20 cricket.As RCB prepare for a high-profile game against CSK, the focus will be firmly on Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who is just one wicket away from a historic landmark that could further cement his legacy as one of the best bowlers in the IPL.
