After 15 years, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is making a comeback to Royal Challenger Bengaluru (RCB). The talented fast bowler is returning to RCB in IPL 2025 after the 18th season of the tournament.
How was this return possible, and what would his comeback mean for the team? Here, we cover his comeback to RCB and farewell to SRH.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s Return to RCB After 15 Years
The Indian fast bowler started his IPL journey with RCB in 2009, but he has never had a chance to play. Now, he will wear the RCB jersey for IPL 2025.
RCB bought Bhuvneshwar Kumar for INR 10.75 crore in the IPL auction, which was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The bidding war was highly competitive, with Mumbai Indians and Lucknow SuperGiants also trying to sign him.
But RCB made the final move and won the bid to take him into their squad.
RCB Secures Bhuvneshwar Kumar for ₹10.75 Crore in IPL 2025 Auction
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, one of the biggest names known for his swing and accuracy, entered the auction with a base price of INR 2 crore.
Along with RCB, Mumbai Indians and Lucknow SuperGiants crossed INR 10 crore, but RCB won the bid at INR 10.75 crore.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has taken 181 wickets in 176 IPL matches, making him one of the best bowlers in the tournament. Although his performance was not up to par last season, his ability to handle pressure and deliver crucial speed makes him valuable for the RCB bowling lineup.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s Emotional Farewell to Sunrisers Hyderabad
Bhuvneshwar Kumar was a key player for Sunriser Hyderabad (SRH) for more than a decade. He won the purple cap back in 2016 and 2017 and played an important role in helping SRH win their maiden IPL title in 2016.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar shared an emotional message on social media thanking SRH and its fans. He said it was time to say goodbye after years of a wonderful journey and expressed his love for the team and fans.
“After 11 incredible years with SRH, I say goodbye to this team. I have so many unforgettable and cherishable memories. Amazing victories, winning the title, getting the Purple Cap twice, and a lot more. One thing unmissable is the love of the fans, which has been splendid! Your support has been constant. Thank you, Orange Army, for shaping me into who I am today. I will carry this love and support with me forever,” Bhuvneshwar wrote on X.
Strengthening RCB’s Bowling Lineup: The Inclusion of Bhuvneshwar Kumar
RCB has always been known for its strong batting lineup, but bowling has often been a problem. With the addition of Bhuvneshwar Kumar to the squad, RCB hopes to improve its pack attack.
His ability to swing the ball in both ends and bowl effectively in the powerplay and death overs will bring balance to the squad.
Bhuvneshwar will play alongside bowlers like Josh Hazelwood and Lungi Ngidi and bring experience and leadership to the RCB bowling unit. His presence will also help young bowlers develop their skills.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s Anticipation for the Upcoming Season with RCB
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is excited about playing for RCB in the upcoming IPL 2025. In a recent interview, he expressed his excitement about joining the team after many years.
“I wasn’t sure if RCB would bid for me. When they did, I got messages from the team director and coach. It feels great to be back at RCB after so many years,” he said.
RCB performed well in IPL 2024, winning six matches in a row to reach the playoffs. Bhuvneshwar hopes the team will continue their good form in IPL 2025 and challenge for their first-ever IPL title.
