Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s IPL 2026 dream run hit another standout moment on Sunday, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru matched up against Gujarat Titans in the final at Ahmedabad. The veteran pacer played a decisive role in the early phase, equalling a long-standing powerplay wicket record in the biggest match of the season.
Quick facts
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar took his 17th powerplay wicket of the IPL 2026 final.
- The wicket came in the fourth over, dismissing Sai Sudharsan.
- This matched Mohammed Shami’s record for the most powerplay wickets by an Indian bowler in a single IPL edition.
- Shami set the benchmark in IPL 2023 for Gujarat Titans with 17 powerplay wickets.
- After Sudharsan’s dismissal, Gujarat Titans were reduced to 45 for 2 in the powerplay.
- Bhuvneshwar’s season wicket tally rose to 28, tying him on the Purple Cap race with Kagiso Rabada at the top.
In the fourth over of the IPL 2026 final, Bhuvneshwar struck again in the most important overs of the innings. He removed Sudharsan to take his total to 17 wickets in overs 1–6 across the campaign, bringing him level with Mohammed Shami.
Shami had established the mark in IPL 2023 while representing Gujarat Titans, also collecting 17 powerplay dismissals. Three years on, Bhuvneshwar reproduced the same feat, doing it when it mattered most—during the title clash, with RCB aiming for a second successive trophy.
The impact of that breakthrough went beyond the numbers. Gujarat Titans were relying on their dangerous top order—Shubman Gill and Sudharsan—to keep delivering strong starts, especially after both batters had already crossed the 700-run milestone in the season. But RCB’s new-ball unit refused to let the opening partnership settle.
Powerplay pressure turns the screws
Josh Hazlewood provided the first jolt by removing Gill for 10, leaving GT chasing momentum in the early overs. Bhuvneshwar then executed a short-ball plan against Sudharsan with precision, targeting the batter’s timing and forcing a mistimed attempt.
Sudharsan tried to work the ball into the leg side with a pull shot, but couldn’t get on top of the bounce. Jitesh Sharma completed the catch after moving forward, snapping the partnership’s rhythm and quickly tilting the powerplay in RCB’s favour.
That dismissal reduced Gujarat Titans to 45 for 2 in the first phase of the chase, deepening their difficulties on a pitch that didn’t offer much space for free-flowing strokeplay. With the set batters under pressure, GT had to rebuild while the game’s tempo shifted towards the defending side’s strengths.
Bhuvneshwar’s milestone underlines how valuable he has been for RCB throughout IPL 2026. While attention has often centred on the franchise’s high-impact batting, the veteran fast bowler has repeatedly provided early strikes and set the tone from the moment the new ball came into play.
His efforts have also placed him firmly in the Purple Cap battle. Taking Sudharsan’s wicket pushed his season tally to 28, drawing him level with Kagiso Rabada at the top of the wicket-taking standings.
Most wickets in the powerplay in an IPL season: Kagiso Rabada (2026) 19; Mohammed Shami (2023) 17; Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2026) 17; Mitchell Johnson (2013) 13; Trent Boult (2020) 16. The record may have been shared, but the timing on the night of the final added an extra layer of significance.
With RCB chasing a second consecutive title, Bhuvneshwar once again delivered the kind of early breakthrough that has become a hallmark of his IPL 2026 campaign. The powerplay strike set the tone early, giving his team the momentum it needed in a match where margins were always going to be thin.
