Royal Challengers Bengaluru speedster Bhuvneshwar Kumar has emerged as one of the standout performers of IPL 2026, and his resurgence is turning heads. At 36, the pacer is looking every bit like the bowler who once terrorised batters, picking up 17 wickets across nine appearances so far. That kind of impact has prompted former India opener Virender Sehwag to float the idea that Bhuvneshwar could still be in the conversation for India’s T20I plans.
Sehwag backs Bhuvneshwar’s T20I comeback
- Sehwag argued that age should not automatically rule a player out if he is delivering match-winning spells in the shortest format.
- He suggested that selectors could consider Bhuvneshwar for India’s T20I squad despite him being in the 35-36 bracket.
- Sehwag also pushed for the selectors to explore the possibility of reuniting Bhuvneshwar and Jasprit Bumrah in India colours, citing their history and the potential for a similar combination.
- He said Bhuvneshwar is bowling effectively with both the old ball and the new ball, and that the “sharpness” of the bowler is once again visible.
RCB wicket-haul lifts him to Purple Cap summit
Bhuvneshwar’s form in IPL 2026 has been particularly striking for RCB. He has taken at least three wickets in four of the franchise’s last five league games, propelling him to the top of the Purple Cap standings. His ability to deliver consistently is also reflected in his overall wicket tally for the season to date—he has already reached 17 wickets in just nine matches, matching the total he achieved during RCB’s title-winning campaign in IPL 2025.
T20 milestone: 350 wickets
The run of good form has continued off the field as well. On Thursday, Bhuvneshwar became the first Indian fast bowler—and the second Indian overall—to reach the 350-wicket milestone in T20 cricket.
Career numbers underline his longevity
Across 325 T20 matches, Bhuvneshwar has collected 352 wickets at an average of 24.51. His record includes five four-wicket hauls and five five-wicket performances, with best figures of 5/4. Only spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who has 391 wickets in 337 T20 appearances, has taken more T20 wickets than him among Indian bowlers.
