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Bhuvneshwar Kumar scripted history on Monday by becoming the fast bowler with the most wickets in Indian Premier League (IPL) history, surpassing the long-standing record of West Indies great Dwayne Bravo. The landmark moment came during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s thrilling 12-run victory over Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium.
Historic milestone sealed with Tilak Varma’s wicket
Defending a hefty total of 221 runs, Bhuvi dismissed Mumbai’s in-form batter Tilak Varma, a breakthrough that proved pivotal in sealing the win for RCB. With that scalp, Kumar claimed his 18𓄧4th wicket in 179 IPL matches, edging past Bravo’s previous record of 183 wickets in 1ไ61 matches.
Though he was a touch expensive on the night—conceding 48 runs in his four-over spell—his impact was undeniable. The performance not only played a key role in RCB’s triumph but also marked a major personal achievement in his illustrious T20 career.
An enduring legacy in the IPL
Bhuvneshwar, now 35 years old, has long been a symbol of consistency in the IPL. Known for his trademark swing, control at the death, and calm demeanour under pressure, his career has been a blueprint of longevity and discipline. He now stands as the third-highest wicket-taker overall in IPL history, behind only leg-spinners Yuzvendra Chahal (206) and Piyush Chawla (192).
New beginnings with RCB after a long SRH chapter
This record-breaking feat is made even more special by the fact that it comes during Bhuvi’s debut season with RCB, following an 11-year stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). His seamless integration into the RCB setup has been evident both on and off the field.
The cricket world responded to Kumar’s record feat with admiration and applause. Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sreevats Goswami took to X (formerly Twitter) ♛to hail Kumar’s contribution to Indian cricket:
“The most underrated and unsung hero of Indian cricket has to be Bhuvneshwar Kumar. So much to learn from his attitude towards the game & life .Puts his head down and does what the team requires from him,” he wrote.
The most underrated and unsung hero of Indian cric🔥ket has to be bhuvneshwar Kumar. So much to learn from his attitude towards the game & life .Puts his head down and does what the team requires from Him🅘.
— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1)
Also READ: Top 5 totals for RCB against Mꦡꦜumbai Indians in IPL history
Most wickets by pacers in IPL history
| Rank | Player | Wickets | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dwayne Bravo | 183 | 161 |
| 2 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 181 | 176 |
| 3 | Lasith Malinga | 170 | 122 |
| 4 | Jasprit Bumrah | 165 | 133 |
| 5 | Umesh Yadav | 144 | 148 |
While Bravo’s flamboyant finishes for Chennai Super Kings and Malinga’s laser-guided yorkers for Mumbai Indians hav♑e become the stuff of legend, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s quiet consistency, adaptability, and longevity have carved him a niche of his own.
As the IPL continues to evolve, Kumar’s milestone stands as a testament to resilience, hard work, and timeless skill—a legacy that future generations of pacers🍸 will aspire to e༺mulate.
