Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Cricketer
Cricketer

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Born 5 February 1990 · Uttar Pradesh

Winning the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy as a key swing bowler for India.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar Singh is an Indian cricketer who has played for the Indian cricket team in all three formats of the game. He plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League and Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket. A right-arm medium bowler, he is known for his ability to effectively swing the ball both ways at will. Kumar was a member of the India team that won the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy.

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A detail that
surprised us

“

Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed Sachin Tendulkar for a duck in the 2008/09 Ranji Trophy final, a rare first-class cricket event involving the legendary batsman.

The Story

1
🎯 In December 2012, Bhuvneshwar Kumar made his international debut against Pakistan at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, taking three wickets in a T20I including one in his very first over, setting a record economy rate of 2.25.
2
In the 2008/09 Ranji Trophy final, Kumar dismissed Sachin Tendulkar for a duck — the first time Tendulkar was out for zero in first-class cricket, signaling Kumar's emerging threat.
3🏆 Bhuvneshwar won the IPL Purple Cap in back-to-back seasons, 2016 and 2017, with Sunrisers Hyderabad, claiming 23 wickets in the victorious 2016 campaign, a feat unmatched at that time.
4In 2014, during the Australia tour of India, Kumar batted at number 9 and forged a 140-run partnership with MS Dhoni, showcasing his unexpected lower-order batting prowess.

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the first Indian bowler whose first wickets in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is were all bowled dismissals, a testament to his swing precision.

🖼️

Through the Years

3 photographs from the archives
Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowling during the 2013 Champions Trophy group match against South Africa (2013).
Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowling during the 2013 Champions Trophy group match against South Africa (2013).
2013
Bhuvneshwar Kumar posing with Rashid Zirak at an event in 2021.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar in a portrait photograph taken in 2024.

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh
Bhuvneshwar Kumar was born to Kiran Pal Singh, a police officer, in Meerut, marking the start of his journey in a modest household.
1990
⚡
Career
First-class debut against Bengal
At age 17, Kumar debuted in first-class cricket for Uttar Pradesh facing Bengal, beginning his domestic career.
2007
⚡
Career
Dismissed Sachin Tendulkar for duck
In the 2008/09 Ranji Trophy final, Kumar bowled out Tendulkar for zero, an unexpected feat against the cricket legend.
2009
⚡
Career
International debut vs Pakistan
Kumar made his T20I debut at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, taking 3 wickets including one in his first over, setting a record economy rate.
2012
🏅
Award
Part of India’s ICC Champions Trophy winning team
Kumar contributed to India's 2013 Champions Trophy victory and was named in the ICC Team of the Tournament.
2013
🏅
Award
Won IPL Purple Cap with Sunrisers Hyderabad
Claimed 23 wickets to become the highest wicket-taker, helping SRH to their first IPL title.
2016
⚡
Career
Named Sunrisers Hyderabad vice-captain
Recognized for leadership, Kumar was appointed vice-captain of SRH IPL team.
2018
🌟
Other
Top wicket-taker in Asia Cup
Took 11 wickets to become the highest wicket-taker of the tournament, confirming his continued impact.
2022
⚡
Career
Bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore
Kumar was acquired for ₹10.75 crores in the IPL auction, marking a major return to RCB.
2024
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 06
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

In the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, Kumar was named in the Team of the Tournament after helping India win the title, marking his rise on the world stage.

02 / 06
🔍LESSER KNOWN

Kumar was one of the first IPL players to effectively use the knuckle ball, a slower delivery variation, contributing to his consecutive Purple Cap wins in 2016 and 2017.

03 / 06
💡SURPRISING

During the 2013 Australia tour of India, batting at number 9, Bhuvneshwar scored three half-centuries in a single series, a rare feat for a bowler.

No quote recorded for Bhuvneshwar Kumar yet.

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Top Bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar Ki Ansuni Kahani | Indian Cricket, RCB Phase, IPL & Love Story | TRS
More from this archive
Top Bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar Ki Ansuni Kahani | Indian Cricket, RCB Phase, IPL & Love Story | TRS
01
Top Bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar Ki Ansuni Kahani | Indian Cricket, RCB Phase, IPL & Love Story | TRS
Spicy Pitch Episode 6: Bhuvneshwar Kumar
02
Spicy Pitch Episode 6: Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar Test Cricket क्यों नहीं खेलते हैं? | Interview | Team India Comeback | #shorts
03
Bhuvneshwar Kumar Test Cricket क्यों नहीं खेलते हैं? | Interview | Team India Comeback | #shorts
What Tactics Would Bhuvneshwar Kumar Snap Up From His Contemporary Bowlers? | CNBC TV18
04
What Tactics Would Bhuvneshwar Kumar Snap Up From His Contemporary Bowlers? | CNBC TV18
Rapid Fire With Bhuvneshwar Kumar Podcast #cricket #ipl #csk #ipl2025
05
Rapid Fire With Bhuvneshwar Kumar Podcast #cricket #ipl #csk #ipl2025
Bhuvneshwar Kumar explains about his odi Debut and Ipl moments🤯
06
Bhuvneshwar Kumar explains about his odi Debut and Ipl moments🤯
Bhuvneshwar Kumar on Instinct, Swing & Virat’s Role in India’s Pace Revolution
07
Bhuvneshwar Kumar on Instinct, Swing & Virat’s Role in India’s Pace Revolution
UP T20 | Long Off Lounge ft. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Shubham Gaur
08
UP T20 | Long Off Lounge ft. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Shubham Gaur
Bhuvneshwar Kumar X Manvendra | Cricket Stories Podcast | Siraj,Dhoni,Virat Kohli,Rohit,Jadeja & RCB
09
Bhuvneshwar Kumar X Manvendra | Cricket Stories Podcast | Siraj,Dhoni,Virat Kohli,Rohit,Jadeja & RCB
What went WRONG with Bhuvneshwar Kumar?
10
What went WRONG with Bhuvneshwar Kumar?

🌱 What changed because of them

Bhuvneshwar Kumar's precision swing bowling shifted Indian pace bowling strategies toward skillful movement rather than sheer pace alone, influencing IPL franchises to value bowlers with swing variations. His consistent performances inspired Uttar Pradesh cricket infrastructure to nurture swing bowlers, contributing to India's pace bowling depth. The IPL Purple Cap wins in 2016 and 2017 popularized the usage of knuckle balls and variations in Indian limited-overs cricket.

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