In T20I cricket, big-hitting batters usually steal the show with sixes and quick runs. But behind all the fireworks, a few Indian bowlers have proved how important they are to the game.

Under pressure from hard-hitting batters, these bowlers have turned tough moments into chances to shine. Bowling in T20s is never easy it needs control, quick thinking, and the ability to stay ahead of the batter. Still, these Indian bowlers have done it many times, using smart variations to beat even the most dangerous opponents.

Top 5 Indian Bowlers with the Most Wickets in T20Is

5. Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 90 wickets

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is key bowler for India in T20s. He could swing the ball and bowl accurately in the last overs. He often took early wickets and stopped runs at the end of the game. In 87 matches, he took 90 wickets. His best performance was 5 wickets for 4 runs. He hasn’t played for India since the 2022 T20 World Cup but was always dependable.

4. Jasprit Bumrah – 92 wickets

Jasprit Bumrah is one of India’s best T20 bowlers. His crushing yorkers, slower balls, and bouncers make him dangerous in big moments. In 72 matches, he took 92 wickets. His best figures are 3 wickets for 7 runs. He bowls economically with an average of 16.8 and an economy of 6.29. He can both stop runs and take important wickets.

3. Hardik Pandya – 96 wickets

Hardik Pandya is known for his all-round skills. While his batting he can hit big sixes and he can play very aggresively when team needs,his bowling has helped India win many matches . In 117 games, he has taken 96 wickets, with best figures of 4/16. His bowling average is 26.61 and economy is 8.21, showing he is consistent. Hardik can change games with both bat and ball.

ALSO READ: 'You will keep laughing...'- Yashasvi Jaiswal opens up on his relationship with Virat Kohli

2. Yuzvendra Chahal – 96 wickets

Yuzvendra Chahal has been India’s main spinner in T20s. His leg-spin and variations confuse batsmen. He has 96 wickets in 80 matches and was India’s top wicket-taker until Arshdeep Singh passed him. His 6/25 against England in 2017 is one of the best spells in T20Is. Surprisingly, he has never played a T20 World Cup game for India.

1. Arshdeep Singh – 100 wickets

Arshdeep Singh is now a key bowler for India in T20s. He was India’s top wicket-taker in both the 2022 (10 wickets) and 2024 (17 wickets) T20 World Cups. In 64 matches, he has taken 100 wickets at an average of 18.37. He has two four-wicket hauls, with his best figures of 4/9 against the USA in the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Asia Cup 2025 will start with a Group B match between Afghanistan and Hong Kong at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, September 9. The tournament is in T20 format and is being seen as an important preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka.

This will be the 17th edition of the Asia Cup. So far, only two editions have been played in the T20 format, while all the others were in ODI format. The tournament was first played as a T20 event in 2016 in Bangladesh and for the second time in 2022 in the UAE.

Team India won the 2016 edition by beating hosts Bangladesh by eight wickets in the final at Mirpur. However, in 2022, the Men in Blue could not reach the final as they struggled in the Super Four round. Ahead of Asia Cup 2025, in this article, we shared India’s five highest wicket-takers in the T20 men’s Asia Cup.

Also Read -‘I'm sure he wants….’- Suryakumar Yadav rekindles Sri Lanka captain’s tough memory

3. Jasprit Bumrah, R Ashwin, and Ashish Nehra

Pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Ashish Nehra, along with off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, are tied for third among Indian bowlers with the most wickets in the T20 men’s Asia Cup. Each has six wickets in the tournament. While Ashwin and Nehra have retired from international cricket, Bumrah can add to his tally in the upcoming edition in the UAE.

Bumrah picked six wickets in five matches at an average of 15.66 and an economy of 5.22. His best figures of 2-27 came against Sri Lanka in Mirpur in 2016, where he dismissed Shehan Jayasuriya and Chamara Kapugedera as India won by five wickets.

Nehra took six wickets in four matches during the 2016 edition, with an average of 16.50 and an economy of 7.07. His best of 3-23 came against Bangladesh in Mirpur, dismissing Mohammad Mithun, Mahmudullah, and Mashrafe Mortaza as India won by 45 runs.

Ashwin played six matches in the T20 men’s Asia Cup, claiming six wickets at an average of 23.83 and an economy of 6.50. His best of 2-26 came against Sri Lanka in 2016, where he dismissed Milinda Siriwardana and Thisara Perera as India won by five wickets.

2. Hardik Pandya

All-rounder Hardik Pandya is second on the list of Indian bowlers with the most wickets in the T20 men’s Asia Cup. In eight matches, he took 11 wickets at an average of 18.81 and an economy of 7.01.

His best figures of 3-8 were registered against Pakistan in Mirpur in 2016, dismissing Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Sami, and Mohammad Amir as India won by five wickets. He also had figures of 3-25 against Pakistan in Dubai in 2022 and scored 33 off 17 balls*, helping India win another thrilling game.

1. Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar is India’s leading wicket-taker in the T20 men’s Asia Cup. In six matches, he picked up 13 wickets at an average of 9.46 and an economy of 5.34, including one five-wicket haul and one four-wicket haul.

Bhuvneshwar took sensational 5-4 against Afghanistan in Dubai during the 2022 Super Four clash, dismissing Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Karim Janat, Najibullah Zadran, and Azmatullah Omarzai. Chasing 213, Afghanistan were held to 111-8. He also claimed 4-26 against Pakistan in 2022, dismissing Babar Azam, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, and Naseem Shah, helping India bowl Pakistan out for 147.

Kanpur Superstars won a comfortable win against Lucknow Falcons by 8 wickets in the 22nd match of UP 2025. Chasing 163 runs, Kanpur batted with confidence and chased the runs in just 15.4 overs.

Batting first, Lucknow Falcons scored 162 runs losing 8 wickets in 20 overs. Aaradhya Yadav played the key role with a great 59 runs from 44 balls, while Mohammad Saif scored a quick fire 43 runs in 31 balls. Kritagya Singh also added 26 runs, but the Falcons could not finish strongly as Kanpur bowlers picked up wickets at the right time. Rahul Sharma took two wickets, while Vineet Panwar, Shubham Mishra and Daman Singh chipped in with one each.

The Superstars’ winning streak continues 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘵𝘺𝘭𝘦!

Watch live on SonyLIV and Sony Sports Network. #UPT20League #ANAXUPT20League #KhiladiYahanBantaHai #KSvsLF pic.twitter.com/tXUzOjGTau

— UP T20 League (@t20uttarpradesh) August 28, 2025

In reply, Kanpur Superstars were in complete control. Their batsmen played calmly, kept the scoreboard moving and never allowed the bowlers to sit in the strong position. Boundaries came at regular times and partnerships kept building, which made the chase look easy. The key player was Sameer Rizvi,he scored 76 runs in 32 balls. The Falcons bowlers tried different ways to stop the flow of the runs.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣’𝙨 𝘼𝙐𝙍𝘼.

Watch live on SonyLIV and Sony Sports Network. #UPT20League #ANAXUPT20League #KhiladiYahanBantaHai #KSvsLF pic.twitter.com/lGWmAtTMVw

— UP T20 League (@t20uttarpradesh) August 28, 2025

ALSO READ: Top 3 reasons why Welsh Fire Men lost to Southern Brave Men in the Hundred 2025 match 32
from this 8-wicket victory, Kanpur Superstars have shown their batting depth and strong approach in the UP 2025. Lucknow Falcons will be disappointed as their bowlers could not defend a defending total. The Superstars, on the other side, will take a lot of confidence moving forward in the tournament.

Kashi Rudras put up a strong performance to beat Lucknow Falcons by 19 runs in a thrilling match. Kashi Rudras Batted first, they scored Rudras 187/4 in 20 overs. Captain Karan Sharma played brilliantly 71 runs in 44 balls, hitting seven fours and three sixes. At the top, Deepak Rana played a steady hand with 46 runs from 43 balls.

Anchoring the innings the Samarth way!

Watch live on SonyLIV and Sony Sports Network. #UPT20League #ANAXUPT20League #KhiladiYahanBantaHai #KRvsLF pic.twitter.com/xJAY19l2bW

— UP T20 League (@t20uttarpradesh) August 24, 2025

Towards the end, Saksham Rai scored a quick 26 runs in 14 balls, while Shubham Chaubey stayed not out on 16 runs in 10 balls, giving the team a strong finish for Rudras. For Lucknow, Vipraj Nigam bowled well and took 2 crucial wickets, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Akshu Bajwa took one wicket each.

Atal pockets a 3-for! Always a reliable bowling attack for Kashi.

Watch live on SonyLIV and Sony Sports Network. #UPT20League #ANAXUPT20League #KhiladiYahanBantaHai #KRvsLF pic.twitter.com/wOj1m9w5he

— UP T20 League (@t20uttarpradesh) August 24, 2025

Chasing 188 runs, Lucknow Falcons tried hard but kept losing wickets. Samarth Singh batted well for 47 runs in 35 balls, and Priyam Garg contributed well with him scored 32 runs from 27 runs. In the middle order, Mohammad Saif played a quick knock of 26 runs in 15 balls, while Kritagya Singh hit a fiery 28 from 15 balls, keeping Falcons in the game. But the pressure for the batting team. They ended with 168 wickets in 7 wickets in their 20 overs, falling short by 19 runs.

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For Rudras, Atal Bihari Vipin Rai waso ne of the key bowlers, taking 3 wickets for 32 runs. Shiva Singh bowled a tight spell, finishing with 2 wickets for just 18 runs, while Shivam Mavi and Sunil Kumar got one wicket each. It was a complete team effort from Kashi Rudras solid batting at the top and disciplined bowling at the end made the difference. Lucknow Falcons had their moments but could not finish the job

With the announcement of the 15-member squad for the Indian team of the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, many fans spoke about the omission of Shreyas Iyer, the middle order batter. However, a very few spoke about the absence of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who, according to many, could have been a fabulous pacer using his pace and swing with the new ball inside the powerplay.

Just a few days after the squad declaration, Bhuvneshwar Kumar gave a masterclass of swing bowling during the ongoing UP T20 league 2025 at the Ekhana Stadium in Lucknow for the Lucknow Falcons against the Gaur Gorakhpur Lions. The batters hardly had any idea of how to face the 35-year-old veteran, who has been out of the Indian side for a long time.

See Also: CPL 2025, Match 09: Antigua and Barbuda Falcons vs Guyana Amazon Warriors full match highlights and scorecard

In the video that has gone viral, Bhuvi tested the batter with two successive out-swinging deliveries before the third ball held its line to go straight. The fourth delivery was an in-swinging ball that cut the right-handed batter in two halves. The batter tried to use his feet, but that hardly matter, as he kept missing the balls going away from his body.

Watch: Bhuvneshwar Kumar shows swing bowling masterclass during UP T20 League 2025

It was another exhibition where the batter was cut in between with an in swinging delivery, and later when he expected the same ball to come, it went the other way around. Most of the balls kept missing the batters, none of whom got any bat on it. It was unfortunate that despite the masterclass, Bhuvneshwar was not able to pick up a wicket in the innings.

𝘼 𝙈𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙎𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙜 from the King himself. Bhuvneshwar Kumar shows us how the magic happens.

Watch live on @SonyLIV and @SonySportsNetwk. #UPT20League #ANAXUPT20League #KhiladiYahanBantaHai #LFvsGGL pic.twitter.com/ncuDXEgY4E

— UP T20 League (@t20uttarpradesh) August 22, 2025

The Falcons’ captain ended with figures of 1/16 in his four overs. Despite his hard work, Siddharth Yadav’s fine knock of unbeaten 88 runs in 45 balls helped Gorakhpur chase down the target with a ball to spare and seven wickets in hand.

Bhuvneshwar, who is out of the national side since November 2022, has 90 T20I wickets in 86 innings at an average of 23.10 and an economy rate of under seven. In T20s, he has overall 327 scalps in 308 innings at an average of 25.11 and an economy rate of 7.36.

The Punjab Kings (PBKS) and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru(RCB) brace themselves for an intense showdown at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The 3rd of June, 2025, will mark a significant date in the chapter of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the world sits in anticipation to see a new title winner. 

PBKS had a smooth road to the playoffs and faced minimal hiccups along the way, finishing at the top during the league stage. However, leading into the playoffs, they were severely jolted by RCB in Qualifier one game as they crashed out on the back of a thumping nine-wicket defeat. But Shreyas & Co. regained momentum just in time and clinically brushed MI aside in Qualifier two to book their spot in the IPL final only for the second time in their history.

RCB, on the other hand, have also been in top form, finishing second in the points table with nine wins in 14 matches. In fact, they were the first team to qualify for the IPL 2025 final, beating PBKS by nine wickets in Qualifier one. They will meet their old adversaries from Qualifier one again and will be looking to repeat a similar sort of performance to annihilate PBKS once and for all in the final.

But as the age-old saying goes, batters win you matches, but the bowlers win you tournaments. Hence, the spotlight will be on the bowlers tonight as they have a key role to play in containing the star-studded batting line-ups on both sides. Having said that, let's dive in to unravel the top three bowlers who are likely to contribute heavily with the ball in the IPL final tonight.

See also: Three batters who can shine and score the most number of runs in the IPL 2025 Final

Josh Hazlewood (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)

Josh Hazlewood is arguably one of the best operating seamers of the tournament so far. The Aussie paceman is now the fourth-highest wicket-taker of the competition overall, and the highest wicket-taker for his franchise. He has claimed 21 wickets at a stunning average of 15.8, which includes his best figures of 4-33 against RR in a winning cause. Following his temporary exclusion from the squad due to back injury, RCB's death bowling deteriorated significantly. The franchise had one of the worst economy rates in the death overs, with bowlers conceding at a galloping rate of 11 RPO. But his re-entry to the side bolstered RCB ahead of the Qualifier 1 game against PBKS, where he played an instrumental role in not only keeping the run flow down but also pegging the momentum of the opposition by striking at key intervals.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)

The veteran Indian pacer has a plethora of white-ball experience, both on an international and domestic scale. Bhuvi has also played a lot of franchise cricket and over the years, has developed a wide range of tricks that make him a tricky proposition to contend with. He currently shares the second spot with Krunal in the list of wicket-takers for his side and has scripted a few noteworthy performances this year. In 13 matches, Bhuvi has claimed 15 wickets at a formidable average of just under 30, with his best performance being against DC, where he bagged match-winning figures of 3-33. In a match where the stakes are high, the team will bank on Bhuvneshwar Kumar's experience and will require him to take wickets, particularly with the new ball.

Arshdeep Singh (Punjab Kings)

Arshdeep is a highly skilled operator with the new ball and has developed a reputation for picking wickets regularly inside the powerplay. Very seldom does he go wicketless inside the powerplay. Moreover, he is equally a very capable bowler in the death overs and is skilled enough to execute pinpoint yorkers. Arshdeep has grown in stature over the years, and as a result, his repertoire has also expanded as well. He is the highest wicket-taker for his franchise this season with 18 scalps across 15 games. His average stands at an impressive 26.55, whereas his strike rate is astonishingly low (18.11). His superb spell of 3-16 against DC helped PBKS register a comfortable 37-run win. Although his form in the recent two games has been concerning, Arshdeep continues to be a potent threat to the batting opposition.

The first qualifier match of IPL 2025 was played on 29 May at Mullanpur ground in Chandigarh. In which the teams of RCB and Punjab (RCB vs PBKS Highlights) were face to face. In this match, the Bangalore team has won in a one-sided manner. With the victory in this match, RCB has reached the final in 2025 after 2016. While the wait for the final will still continue for Punjab.

RCB in the final after 9 years

IPL 2025 has been very special for the Bangalore team since the beginning. This is the reason why the team has also reached the final of this season. The first qualifier match was played on 29 May in which the team of Punjab Kings was face to face. In this match, Punjab batted first but the team was restricted to just 101 runs. All the batsmen failed to score runs for Punjab in this match. On the other hand, RCB completely dominated Punjab in this match. Be it batting or bowling. Because RCB chased this target of 102 runs in just 10 overs.

Punjab Kings have reached Qualifier 2 after losing in the first qualifier. While the eliminator match of this season will be played on 30 May. In which the teams of Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians were face to face. Whichever team wins this match will play against Punjab on June 1 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. In such a situation, it will be interesting to see whether Punjab will be able to win this match or say that it will be out of the playoffs despite topping the points table.

ALSO READ: Top 3 reasons why Punjab Kings Lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2025 Qualifier 1

Twitter reactions after RCB wins Qualifier match of IPL 2025

"WE WON"
RCB VS PBKS ❤
CONGRATULATIONS #RCB 🤘

THANK YOU TEAM RCB ♥️ 🫰
Virat Kohli led with heart ❤️

Phil Salt exploded with the bat 💥
and Josh Hazlewood brought the heat with the ball💪

The dream is alive.!!!🏆#RCBvsPBKS #RCB #RCBFinals pic.twitter.com/GlX4xkk4Gu

— Ragini (@raginixoxo) May 29, 2025

Rcb win 🙌 🔥 🧿
Phil Salt 🔥🔥🧿
Suyash Sharma🔥🔥🧿#RCBvsPBKS #RCB #ViratKohli𓃵 pic.twitter.com/1F0PmHMuBR

— 𝓐𝓷𝓼𝓱𝓲⁷ 🇮🇳🍷🐇 (@I_am_anshi0) May 29, 2025

RCB’s bowling unit today be like: "Tu batting kar, hum wicket lete hain!
Hazlewood, Bhuvi & Yash Dayal turned the pitch into a dance floor for wickets!
RCB fans right now: RCB Zindabad memes loading! #PBKSvsRCB #RCBvsPBKS #BowledOver #IPLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/qG9FMH9XZc

— Trilochan Bhattarai (@trilochan000) May 29, 2025

Virat Kohli shouted inside stadium : 120 mins

Runs scored while chasing 101 : 12#RCBvsPBKS pic.twitter.com/8XkAbUHlyu

— Ctrl C Ctrl Memes (@Ctrlmemes_) May 29, 2025

Congratulations RCB 🥳#RCBvsPBKS RCB RCB pic.twitter.com/Dq8JDrmpDf

— विक्रम 𝘬ꪊꪑꪖ𝘳 🦇 (@printf_meme) May 29, 2025

To all the haters 😂
Congratulations RCB ❤️ #RCBvsPBKS pic.twitter.com/kv1s0wHyxk

— Manish (@memer_manis) May 29, 2025

Bhakti mein hi shakti hai❤️

Congratulations RCB!!! Into the finals !!!#RCBvsPBKS #IPLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/2ppB2OZGfm

— Comedyculture.in (@ComedycultureIn) May 29, 2025

RCB didn’t play cricket , they held a f*cking funeral. Punjab bowled out for 101 pure f*cking carnage.#RCBvsPBKS pic.twitter.com/g765WR0AEH

— εмρεяσя (@EmperorVK) May 29, 2025

Humbling Of These 2 Annoying faces 🤣🔥

Yeah I think Everyone Loves it And Deserves it for the cringe They've spread this season #RCBvsPBKS pic.twitter.com/knCtnwPn1R

— Kau5tubh30 (@Kaustubh001ac) May 29, 2025

When you have no goal in your life, doing only shit things, no girlfriend, friend roaming with his girlfriend, but the team you love RCB won and reached the final#RCBvsPBKS pic.twitter.com/muWWsp9hhw

— Aditya (@79_capetown) May 29, 2025

Royal Challengers Bengaluru put on a fantastic bowling show to bowl out Punjab Kings for just 101 runs in 14.1 overs in the first innings of Qualifier 1 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.

Punjab Kings had a tough time right from the start, losing four wickets in the first six overs during the powerplay. Their top batsmen couldn’t handle the pressure from RCB’s tight bowling. Only Prabhsimran Singh managed to score a decent 18 runs off 10 balls, while the rest of the top order failed to reach double digits.

The troubles didn’t stop there. Yash Dayal bowled Nehal Wadhera out for 8 runs early in the seventh over, leaving Punjab Kings at 50 for five. Soon after, leg-spinner Suyash Sharma came into the attack and made an instant impact.

The Punjab Kings were in trouble as wickets kept falling quickly. Shashank Singh and Musheer Khan couldn’t stay long and were both dismissed by Suyash. By halfway through the innings, Punjab was struggling at 71 for 7. Marcus Stoinis tried to steady the innings with 26 runs off 17 balls but was out in the 11th over.

Dayal finished his four overs with 2 wickets for 26 runs. Romario Shepherd also made a difference by taking a wicket in his first over, sending Harpreet Brar back cheaply. Azmatullah Omarzai was the last to go, scoring 18 runs off 12 balls. Both Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma picked up three wickets each.

ALSO READ: [WATCH] Qualifier 1: Jitesh Sharma’s stunning catch off Hazlewood seals PBKS’s fate in PBKS vs RCB Clash in IPL 2025

After the innings, Suyash Sharma said, “We followed the plans given by our coaches and stuck to them. I felt good bowling today, and the batsmen couldn’t read my googly well. Even though this was a semi-final, we played it like a normal game. Playing here before helped us stay calm.”

Fans react as Punjab Kings get all out for 101 Against RCB

pic.twitter.com/SINFSI9n9L

— Out Of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket) May 29, 2025

Just a reminder!

PBKS shamefully begged for local fans’ support in Chandigarh, forcing them since it’s their hometown before today’s match.

Just to get bundled out by RCB for 101 runs in Qualifier 1 — what a shameful way to get humiliated. pic.twitter.com/5VXoiBDSsG

— StarcyKKR (@StarcKKR) May 29, 2025

PBKS waited 11 years to reach Qualifier 1, only to get dismantled by RCB.

𝟵-𝟭,
𝟮𝟳-𝟮,
𝟯𝟬-𝟯,
𝟯𝟴-𝟰,
𝟱𝟬-𝟱,
𝟲𝟬-𝟲 pic.twitter.com/9nhF4H7uRo

— StarcyKKR (@StarcKKR) May 29, 2025

"Sorry PBKS 3-4 fans, I only had confidence for league matches not playoffs" 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/rfEjmxn4h0

— TukTuk Academy (@TukTuk_Academy) May 29, 2025

दुःख | दर्द | अफ़सोस | वेदना | व्यथा | शोक | संताप । मातम | पीड़ा | विपदा | खेद | तकलीफ़ | कसक | अवसाद |#IPLPlayoffs #Qualifier1 #RCBvsPBKS pic.twitter.com/wv2EiZcpHi

— Yudhisthir Chandra (@YudhisthirYc) May 29, 2025

"Please PBKS save humanity sarr we are supporting PBKS sarr"
Let's laugh at csk dogs#RCBvsPBKS #Qualifier1 pic.twitter.com/ffTJ7A0PaE

— Hemanth (@Kohlistan1842) May 29, 2025

101/10 All Out in playoffs 😭😂

Shame shame shame shame 🤡

Let's laugh on PBSDK 🤡🤡🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/xpHnGTjMo9

— 💤𝑺𝒂𝒏𝒋𝒂𝒚💤 (@SRKzSanjay) May 29, 2025

Punjab Kings, they start so bright,
Chasing dreams beneath the light.
But when the pressure’s tight and near,
They choke, they stumble, fall in fear.

Let's laugh at Choker pbks 🤣 pic.twitter.com/9pkjplp7Vj

— 𝙇𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙮 (@luckycsk7) May 29, 2025

Qualifier 1 – Mullanpur

PBKS loses a wicket…
🎥 Preity Zinta & fans: 😶💔

RCB fans:
🔥 “Ee sala Cup Namde!” 🕺🎉

Congrats RCB! 💪#RCBvsPBKS pic.twitter.com/xVas6KBUdX

— Reenu yadav (@reenu26451) May 29, 2025

Just 45 mins late to check Scoreboard #RCBvsPBKS #IPLPlayoffs #Qualifier1 pic.twitter.com/du3lznR5c0

— One liner advice (@quote_for_daily) May 29, 2025

RCB's veteran fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar has praised former captain Virat Kohli for bringing a big change in India's Test bowling style. He said Kohli's aggressive captaincy and passion on the field gave new energy to the team.

In a recent episode of RCB’s podcast, Bhuvneshwar praised Virat’s leadership and said,

"The way Virat led in Test cricket, I give him full credit. His aggressive style and love for Test cricket inspired the whole team. This kind of intensity is needed for a five-day Test, and the same spirit spread through the team."

Also Read - Virat Kohli drops 5 bombshell revelations in latest RCB podcast

Bhuvneshwar Kumar shared his thoughts about playing under Virat Kohli’s captaincy between 2014 and 2018. He said Virat's leadership and passion brought new energy to the team. The right-arm fast bowler played his last Test match for India in 2018 during the South Africa tour. Even though he has not played Tests in recent years, he is still known as one of the best swing bowlers in the country.

Talking about a possible comeback, Bhuvneshwar said, "I don’t think much about returning. I’m doing what I’ve always done. If my performance is good, then things will happen. I just focus on my small routines."

Notably. Under Kohli's leadership, the Indian team changed a lot. They became more confident and active on the field. Kohli's passion and energy set a high example for his teammates and pushed them to give their best.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s words show his respect for Kohli’s leadership and its effect on the team. Kohli’s time as captain was an important phase for Indian cricket. Kumar’s praise shows how big a role Kohli played in building the team’s strong identity.

For cricket fans who have been watching Indian cricket for years, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has always seemed soft-spoken, calm, and extremely dedicated to his work. But in a rare, emotional stint on The Ranveer Show (TRS) podcast, the seasoned pacer pulled back the veil on his personal life, including his affection for Bollywood and an unexpected IPL secret that's got fans smiling.

Presently a central part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) bowling lineup for the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Bhuvneshwar Kumar is exhibiting glimpses of his past glory. Out of action on the international scene for some time now, his consistent performances with RCB have raised eyebrows. But in a welcome departure from match-hype, the pacer recently reminisced straight back to the inaugural season of the IPL way back in 2008. Interviewing podcast host Ranveer Allahbadia on TRS, Bhuvneshwar shared that as a young cricketer in 2008, he supported the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Why? Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.In a cricketing life full of unspoken resolve and quiet service to the team, it is perhaps no wonder that Bhuvi resonates with the likes of Shah Rukh Khan, a global superstar whose humility lies behind his glistening glamour.

ALSO SEE: WATCH: Shocking footage of MS Dhoni limping — Major setback for CSK’s IPL hopes?

"In 2008, I was rooting for KKR because of Shah Rukh Khan. He is so down-to-earth and speaks very normally, like a best friend. I love all his films, Ram Jaane, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Koyla, Duplicate. He speaks so beautifully and has you believing you knew him for ages. He's so unassuming. It's impossible not to be a fan," Bhuvneshwar smiled. 

New Chapter With RCB for Bhuveshwar Kumar

While his comments on KKR stirred nostalgia, Bhuvneshwar’s present is firmly with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. After a long stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad, the Uttar Pradesh-born pacer found himself released before the mega-auction, a move that surprised many but gave him a fresh start. RCB didn't delay. They picked him up for INR 10.75 crore, indicating how much faith they still have in the veteran campaigner. And Bhuvi hasn't let them down.

In five games to date, he has six wickets to his credit with an economy of 7.84, which is extremely neat given the batting-friendly pitches of the IPL. His average reads a respectable 24.83, but importantly, he's been RCB's go-to man in tight spots, particularly in the powerplay and death overs. Bhuvi’s resurgence has coincided with RCB’s strong start to the season. With four wins from six matches, they currently sit third on the points table with eight points and a solid net run rate of +0.672. There’s a growing sense among fans that this could finally be the year for RCB. Their subsequent encounter is with Punjab Kings on April 18 at the legendary M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, a ground that has witnessed both heartbreak and history over time. Bhuvneshwar will surely have an important say in that match, bringing his cool under fire to a team that's normally thrived on passion and flair.

It’s not every day that cricketers open up about their pop culture influences or childhood fandoms. Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s candid chat on The Ranveer Show offered a refreshing peek into the man behind the outswinger. From idolizing Shah Rukh Khan to now holding his own in one of the world’s most demanding T20 leagues, Bhuvi’s journey continues to inspire quietly, gracefully, just like the man himself. And perhaps, maybe possibly, the young lad who rooted for KKR because of Shahrukh Khan might raise an IPL trophy under the colours of RCB, reworking his script, Bollywood fashion.