Virat Kohli Sings Praises For Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Virat Kohli praises Bhuvneshwar Kumar [Source: AFP]

On Thursday night in Lucknow, the in-form Bhuvneshwar Kumar achieved yet another feat in his illustrious IPL career, as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru took on the Lucknow Super Giants.

As he stepped onto the field with the new ball, as always, he became the first-ever fast bowler in the league history to complete 200 matches in the competition. Former RCB skipper, Virat Kohli, made sure the big moment remains special for the bowler as he gave him a heartfelt congratulations, whilst calling him a legend of the league.

Virat Kohli sends special message for Bhuvneshwar Kumar

In a special feature video posted by the RCB social media handles, Virat Kohli spoke highly of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and called him one of the top-3 pacers in IPL history, lauding his longevity.

He further credited the bowler’s ability to adapt according to the format and finding successive wherever he has gone, pointing out his impressive 7.68 runs per over economy rate, while also speaking about his temperament under pressure.

“It’s a big feat to play 200 games, especially as a fast bowler; that tells you the longevity, and he’s played cricket over all these years in all kinds of formats and been such a successful bowler. He’s probably been in the top three pacers in the IPL ever.”

“You look at his economy and the number of wickets he’s taken. He is a guy you can bank on under pressure 100 per cent of the time, which is exactly crazy if you think about it. Over so many years to still have that skill and have that execution that the captain can bank on you every game. It is a great achievement,” said Kohli.

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Bhuvneshwar Kumar rolls back the years in IPL 2026

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been an exceptionally consistent player in IPL history, with two Purple Caps in 2016 and 2017 and two IPLs with the Sunrisers Hyderabad (2016) and RCB (2025). However, at 36, nothing has changed, as he continues to dominate with the new ball inside the powerplay.

Having played 9 matches so far, he has picked 17 wickets in IPL 2026 and is the holder of the Purple Cap, leading his team to another playoff after being instrumental in their maiden title win last year. Notably, earlier in the season, he also breached the 200-wicket mark as the only second player to do so.

As things stand, he is the only fast bowler to have picked 200 or more wickets and is 14 behind Yuzvendra Chahal, who is the tournament’s highest wicket taker.

RCB looks to seal playoffs early in IPL 2026

Having played 9 matches, the Royal Challengers are comfortably seated at number 3 on the points table with 6 wins and three losses. A win against the struggling LSG would take them to 14 points and number 1 on the table.

Much like IPL 2025, they will be eyeing a Qualifier 1 (top-2) spot this season again. With 4 matches still to go after the LSG encounter, the top-2 finish remains in their own hands. If they win this year's IPL, they will be the only third team after CSK and MI to successfully defend their IPL title.

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