Royal Challengers Bengaluru speedster Bhuvneshwar Kumar marked a landmark moment in Sunday’s IPL action by becoming only the second bowler—and the first pace specialist—to reach 200 wickets in the history of the league. The milestone arrived during RCB’s IPL 2026 match against Chennai Super Kings at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, when Bhuvneshwar dismissed CSK batter Ayush Mhatre.
200-wicket milestone for RCB’s leading pacer
Bhuvneshwar’s dismissal of Mhatre took him into the elite 200-wicket bracket, a group previously joined by fellow Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. With the achievement, the experienced campaigner has now tallied 200 wickets across 192 IPL appearances, working at an average of 27.25.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar: 200 wickets in 192 matches, average 27.25
- Yuzvendra Chahal (league-leading): 224 wickets in 176 matches, average 22.68
- Sunil Narine (third overall): 193 wickets in 191 matches
The key wicket: Ayush Mhatre out at M Chinnaswamy Stadium
Reaching the milestone did not come quietly, with Bhuvneshwar setting up Ayush Mhatre using a length-and-line plan. He bowled a hard delivery outside the off stump that rose sharply, forcing the CSK batter to adjust late.
As Mhatre went for a pull shot, he found himself short of space and ended up striking the ball poorly. The result was a looping ball that drifted towards mid-off, where RCB captain Rajat Patidar took a straightforward catch to complete the breakthrough.
