Bhuvneshwar Kumar on the Brink of IPL Milestone with RCB

Bhuvneshwar Kumar Approaches 200 IPL Wickets

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar is just two wickets shy of achieving a remarkable milestone in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In the upcoming IPL 2026 opener against his former team, he aims to become the first fast bowler in IPL history to reach the 200-wicket mark. Currently, he has taken 198 wickets at an average of 27.33 across 190 matches, which includes two five-wicket hauls and two four-wicket hauls. He ranks second among the top wicket-takers in IPL history, trailing only Yuzvendra Chahal of Punjab Kings (PBKS). Jasprit Bumrah from Mumbai Indians (MI) follows closely behind, having taken 183 wickets in 145 matches, tied with Dwayne Bravo, who also has 183 wickets but in 161 matches.

After a competitive bidding process involving Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and MI, RCB secured Bhuvneshwar for ₹10.75 crore. Last season, he was RCB's second-highest wicket-taker, claiming 17 wickets in 14 innings at an average of 28.41. The 36-year-old has an impressive record with the new ball, leading the IPL in powerplay wickets with 79. Only MI's Trent Boult comes close to his record. Bhuvneshwar maintains an economical rate of 6.46 runs per over during the powerplay, having taken 29 of his 79 powerplay wickets in the first over of the innings.

In his last match against his former team at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, Bhuvneshwar conceded 43 runs in four overs during a high-scoring game where Ishan Kishan scored an unbeaten 94, with Travis Head being the only wicket he took.