Bhuvneshwar Kumar Profile
The “Swing King” from Meerut who won two Purple Caps in a row, took five wickets for four runs in a T20I and, at 36, has earned a call-up to India’s squad after nearly four years away. This is the complete story of Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
By CricketGatha · Updated October 2026 · 8 min read
Bhuvneshwar Kumar Quick Facts
| Full name | Bhuvneshwar Kumar Singh |
| Born | 5 February 1990, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh (age 36 as of October 2026) |
| Nicknames | Bhuvi, Swing King |
| Role | Fast-medium bowler, swing specialist |
| Batting / bowling | Right-handed / right-arm medium-fast |
| Domestic team | Uttar Pradesh |
| IPL team | Royal Challengers Bengaluru (bought for Rs 10.75 crore in 2025) |
| International debut | December 2012 v Pakistan |
| Test debut | December 2013 v South Africa, Johannesburg |
| Last India match | 22 November 2022 v New Zealand, Napier (T20I) |
Early Life and Background
Bhuvneshwar was born in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, and began playing cricket in his hometown, training under coach Sanjay Rastogi. He started as a pace bowler but soon discovered that his gift was swing, the ability to move the new ball both ways late in the air, which later became his trademark.
He rose through Uttar Pradesh’s ranks and made his IPL debut for Royal Challengers Bangalore, then played for Pune Warriors India before finding his long-term home at Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Career Timeline
Bhuvneshwar Kumar Career Stats
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Best | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20I | 87 | 90 | 5/4 | Average 23.10, economy 6.96, 2 five-wicket hauls |
| ODI | 121 | 141 | 5/42 | Average 35.11, economy 5.08 |
| Test | 21 | 63 | 6/82 | 6/82 at Lord’s in 2014 |
| IPL | 206 | 226 | 5/19 | Average 26.16, economy 7.71 |
Major Records
Bhuvneshwar’s best IPL seasons, by wickets
Back-to-back Purple Caps
The first bowler to win the IPL’s top wicket-taker award in two consecutive seasons.
5 for 4 in a T20I
He took five wickets for four runs in four overs against Afghanistan in the 2022 Asia Cup, an India win by 101 runs.
Late-career revival
His 28 wickets in IPL 2026 came only one short of the Purple Cap winner, Kagiso Rabada, at the age of 36.
Champions Trophy 2013
He was part of the India squad that won the title in England.
Greatest Spells
| Figures | Match | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 5/4 | v Afghanistan, Dubai, Asia Cup T20I, 2022 | His best T20I figures, in the match where Kohli scored his first T20I hundred |
| 6/82 | v England, Lord’s, Test, 2014 | His best Test figures and the base for India’s win |
| 5/42 | v Sri Lanka, ODI, 2017 | His best ODI figures |
| 5/19 | SRH v Mumbai Indians, IPL 2017 | His best IPL figures |
| 4/8 | v Zimbabwe, ODI, 2013 | An early sign of his swing at the new ball |
| 4/23 | RCB, IPL 2026 | Best figures of his 28-wicket season |
Bowling Style and Strengths
- New-ball swing: He moves the ball both ways in the air, which has made him one of the most dangerous powerplay bowlers in T20 cricket.
- Control: A T20I economy of 6.96 and an ODI economy of 5.08 show how rarely he leaks runs.
- Reinvention: With his pace down in his mid-thirties, he relies on slower balls, cutters and clever changes of length, especially at the death.
- Lower-order batting: He is a useful tail-ender who has scored fifties for India.
The story of his later career is one of adapting. After a lean spell at Sunrisers, many wrote him off, but two seasons at RCB, with 17 and then 28 wickets, brought him back into the reckoning.
Bhuvneshwar in the IPL
Bhuvneshwar has played 206 IPL matches and taken 226 wickets. After starting out with Royal Challengers Bangalore and Pune Warriors India, he joined Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2014 and spent a decade there, winning the Purple Cap in 2016 and 2017 and the title in 2016. At the 2025 mega auction RCB bought him for Rs 10.75 crore. He took 17 wickets as RCB won the 2025 title, then 28 wickets in IPL 2026 at an average of 17.89 and an economy of 7.95.
Awards and Honours
IPL Purple Cap
Winner in 2016 and 2017
IPL titles
Sunrisers Hyderabad (2016) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2025)
ICC titles
Champions Trophy 2013 (squad member)
Series award
Indian Player of the Series, England tour 2014
Latest News
On 16 October 2026, the BCCI added Bhuvneshwar to India’s squad for the fifth and final T20I against the West Indies in Bengaluru on 17 October, after Arshdeep Singh sustained a blow to his bowling shoulder. The call-up is his first since November 2022, nearly four years. The series is level at 2-2, and the decider is at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, his home ground for RCB.
Whether he plays the match depends on Arshdeep’s fitness and the team’s final combination. See our profiles of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, who are part of the same T20I squad.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Bhuvneshwar Kumar?
He was born on 5 February 1990, so he is 36 as of October 2026.
Which IPL team does Bhuvneshwar Kumar play for?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He earlier played for Sunrisers Hyderabad (2014-24), Pune Warriors India and RCB.
What are Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s best T20I figures?
5/4 against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup in Dubai on 8 September 2022.
How many wickets has Bhuvneshwar taken in the IPL?
226 wickets in 206 matches, with a best of 5/19.
When did Bhuvneshwar Kumar last play for India?
On 22 November 2022, in a T20I against New Zealand in Napier. He was recalled to the squad in October 2026.
Has Bhuvneshwar Kumar retired?
No. He plays in the IPL for RCB and is back in India’s T20I squad for the West Indies series decider.
