Virat Kohli has credited RCB speed bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s revival with turning heads in the ongoing IPL, praising the veteran’s “uncomplicated consistency backed with tremendous belief” as the league continues to be dominated by explosive batting performances.
Kohli’s take on Bhuvneshwar’s resurgence
In comments shared via a podcast teaser on his X account, Kohli highlighted how technical foundations help bowlers adapt during difficult stretches and keep finding ways to impact games, particularly when form and conditions are not always favourable.
- Kohli said that once a player has the technical ability in place, adjustments become easier—especially during tough phases.
- He compared Bhuvneshwar’s approach to disciplined execution rather than relying on flashy variations.
- Virat pointed out that Bhuvneshwar is not “bowling banana” swings in a gimmicky manner, but instead is building pressure by repeatedly landing the ball in the right spot.
Why the results have followed the process
With batters often grabbing headlines through big hundreds, rapid fifty-plus scores, and boundary-heavy spells, Bhuvneshwar’s swing bowling has offered a different kind of challenge for opponents. Kohli stressed that the key is repetition and the ability to execute plans ball after ball, which has translated into wickets for the “Swing King”.
- Bhuvneshwar has taken 22 wickets in 12 IPL matches so far.
- His bowling average stands at 16.13, with an economy rate of 7.55.
- His best figures in the tournament are 4/23.
- Kohli also referenced Bhuvneshwar’s six three-wicket hauls in 11 games, calling it “crazy”.
- He added that Bhuvneshwar is not even aiming for the very high end of scoring pressure by going at “eights” in economy this season.
Injuries, time and the road back
While Bhuvneshwar’s current impact has been clear, Kohli acknowledged that the path to this phase has not been straightforward. The pacer has had to manage injuries, along with the natural challenges that come with time, which have kept him away from the Team India setup and changed the nature of his bowling compared to his peak years with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2010s.
Still, Kohli believes the same discipline—staying consistent with processes he has trusted for years—has enabled Bhuvneshwar to keep producing breakthroughs, resulting in a steady flow of wickets.
Milestones and RCB’s playoff push
Bhuvneshwar’s campaign has already brought a major landmark. He became the first pacer to reach 200 IPL wickets during this season, ending the run with 220 wickets across 202 matches. His overall numbers for the tournament include an average of 26.21 and an economy rate of 7.68, along with three four-wicket hauls and two five-wicket hauls.
With two group matches and playoffs still to come, Bhuvneshwar has a strong chance of matching or overtaking spinner Yuzvendra Chahal’s all-time high tally of 230 IPL wickets.
On the team front, RCB sit at the top of the table with eight wins and four defeats, collecting 16 points. After a brief slump in the middle of the season, they have bounced back with two consecutive wins—first against Mumbai Indians (MI) and then against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Their next fixture is against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at Dharamsala on May 17, with Kohli’s praise underscoring why Bhuvneshwar’s spellcraft could be pivotal in pushing RCB toward qualifier one and giving them the best opportunity to reach the final and win the trophy again in consecutive seasons.
