Experienced Indian fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar A major milestone is on the brink as Royal Challengers Bangalore prepare to face off. Chennai Super Kings In the 11th match of IPL 2026 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday. The veteran seamer needs just one more wicket to reach 200 IPL scalps, a mark achieved by only one bowler so far. Yuzvendra Chahal With 224 wickets in 176 matches, he is the only player to reach the milestone, making Bhuvneshwar’s upcoming feat even more special as he could become the first fast bowler to reach there. Over the years, Bhuvneshwar has changed his game considerably. Once known primarily for his swing with the new ball, he has developed into a reliable option at the death as well. His use of variations like the knuckleball coupled with accurate yorkers make him a complete T20 bowler capable of delivering in all phases. He played a minor but crucial role in RCB’s title-winning run last season. While Josh Hazlewood Seizing the spotlight, Bhuvneshwar took 17 consecutive wickets in 14 matches. His impact was particularly evident in the closing stages of the innings, where he took seven wickets, including a crucial spell in the final against Punjab Kings. With Hazlewood unavailable at the start of this season, Bhuvneshwar has stepped in as the leader of RCB’s attack. He made an immediate impression in his opening game against Sunrisers Hyderabad, contributing just 31 runs in four overs while contributing both in the powerplay and at the death. In the build-up to the clash against CSK, they have also looked sharp in training, troubling the batsmen with a mix of hard lengths, cutters, and pinpoint yorkers. Bhubaneswar’s IPL journey has been marked by extraordinary consistency. He holds the record for most wickets in the Powerplay, with 80 at an economy rate of 6.52. He took 93 wickets after Devin Bravo. His career in the league has gone through several phases, from limited opportunities initially with RCB to a breakthrough period with Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he claimed back-to-back Purple Caps in 2016 and 2017. After a dip in form, he has embarked on a strong recovery in recent seasons. Since 2023, Bhuvneshwar has regained his rhythm, taking 45 wickets in 45 innings while adapting effectively to the increased demands of T20 cricket. As RCB prepares for a high-profile encounter against CSK, the spotlight will remain firmly on Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who stands just one wicket away from a landmark that could cement his legacy as one of the best bowlers in the IPL.
