Kohli omits Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma; picks performer of IPL 2026. PC-AP
IPL has always been a platform where talent gets the biggest stage to make a name for themselves. Such has been the case for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma.
Although the two are starring the show in IPL 2026 as well, the legendary Virat Kohli ignored them and named the craziest performer of the season.
The IPL 2026 will be remembered for young talents taking the bull by its horns, but it has also been the season for the seasoned campaigners such as Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Heinrich Klaasen, Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Virat Kohli, Bhuvneshwar Kumar doing well for RCB
With the IPL 2026 in its business end, there is a neck-and-neck fight among eight teams, with only MI and LSG out of the qualification race. Meanwhile, the defending champions, RCB, are currently sitting at the top of the IPL Points Table, thanks to an extraordinary contribution from two senior statesmen - Kohli and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Kohli, just like any other season, has been contributing to Bengaluru's cause by scoring a truckload of runs. However, this season belongs to the swing king, Bhuvi, who currently has the Purple Cap on his head, picking 22 wickets in 12 matches.
Virat Kohli calls IPL 2026 Bhuvneshwar's season
While appreciating Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Virat Kohli spoke at length on a podcast posted by the franchise. The former captain credited the pacer for his ability to bowl at accurate length consistently, which is the toughest and bravest thing to do in T20 cricket.
"What is Bhuvi doing? He's not bowling banana in-swingers, banana out-swingers. He is bowling at a length that is telling the guys, 'I am good enough to hit this length every time. It is the most difficult length to hit. And I'm just going to keep hitting this length. Are you good enough to take me on or not? It's simple stuff. It's repetition. It's execution. It's uncomplicated consistency backed with tremendous belief. That's all he's doing," Virat Kohli said on RCB Podcast in Bhuvneshwar Kumar's appreciation.
Furthermore, Kohli admired Bhuvneshwar's old-school approach of sticking by the basics, which has resulted in him bagging six three-fers in 11 (12) innings.
"He's got six three-wicket hauls in 11 games. That's crazy. He's not even going at eight this season, you know," he added.
"He's not playing all year round. He is not grinding through franchise tournaments on every continent. He is just someone who has spent a lifetime learning one thing very well, and then doing it. The belief he has in his abilities because of the work he's done from a childhood age of eight, nine years old to now - those foundations will always hold him in good stead."
The Bhuvi magic RCB always needed!
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who joined RCB ahead of IPL 2025, played a second fiddle to Josh Hazlewood last season. The duo formed such an enthralling fast bowling pair that the franchise bagged its maiden IPL title.
However, with the Australian seamer coming off an injury this year, the 36-year-old Indian pacer took over the reins of the RCB's bowling group. Credit to Rajat Paditar for using Bhuvi to perfection, and the seamer is repaying the faith by being RCB’s go-to man to break partnerships.
It is worth mentioning that the RCB bowler is not just leading the wicket-taking tally, but also has the best economy among the top 10 wicket-takers in the season.
It is worth mentioning that Bhuvneshwar Kumar is not just leading the wicket-taking tally, but also has the best economy among the top 10 wicket-takers in the season.
Nevertheless, Bhuvneshwar and RCB will next be seen in action on Sunday (May 17) against Punjab Kings at Dharamsala, where a favourable result will see the defending champions through to the playoffs.
Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Ruled Out Of India Squad Vs Ireland? BCCI Casts Doubt On T20I Debut
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