Sachin Tendulkar Praises Bhuvneshwar Kumar's Bowling Mastery in IPL 2026

Bhuvneshwar Kumar's Stellar Performance

Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has commended Bhuvneshwar Kumar for his outstanding bowling during the current Indian Premier League (IPL) season, highlighting the effectiveness of his technique.

At 36 years old, Bhuvneshwar has been exceptional, claiming 26 wickets this season and playing a pivotal role in leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to the final against the Gujarat Titans (GT). He is on the verge of reclaiming the Orange Cap if he secures three more wickets, which would also mark his third IPL title.

Insights from Sachin Tendulkar

In a post on X, Tendulkar analyzed Bhuvneshwar's bowling style, noting a shift from his previous reliance on long in-swingers and out-swingers. Instead, he has adopted a straighter approach, utilizing a wobbly seam that confuses batters about the ball's movement.

"Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been bowling exceptionally well this season. Unlike past seasons where he relied on pronounced in-swingers or out-swingers, he has opted for a straighter delivery. This change could be a new strategy or a developed skill, but it has proven effective," Tendulkar remarked.

"The wobbly seam makes it challenging for batsmen to predict whether the ball will move away or come in after pitching. Bhuvi's accuracy has been remarkable this season," he added.

Tendulkar's Observations on Bhuvneshwar's Technique

Sachin further elaborated that Bhuvneshwar's lines have been consistently tight, often targeting the off-stump or fourth-stump line. This precision, combined with the wobbly seam, creates uncertainty for the batsman regarding the ball's trajectory post-pitch.

"When the seam lands in a certain position, it can either move away or come in, making it difficult for batsmen to read the delivery. This, I believe, is the key to Bhuvi's success this season. He has been bowling exceptionally well," he concluded.

Bhuvneshwar's IPL Career Stats

In his IPL career spanning 205 matches, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has taken 224 wickets, maintaining an average of 26.26 and an economy rate of 7.71. His impressive record includes three four-wicket hauls and two five-wicket hauls, with his best figures being 5/19.