Bhuvneshwar Kumar, a bowler for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), made his IPL 2025 debut on March 28 against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Despite being a member of the team in 2009, he never participated in any games.
Bhuvneshwar competed once in the 2009 Champions League matches as a member of the franchise. Through social media IPL posted a video where Bhuvneshwar discussed coming back to the team while sharing his internal feelings.
It didn’t feel like a ‘new’ team, according to the pacer. The player’s teammates welcomed him with open arms. He also talked about his experience with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and what it was like to win the trophy with them. He also mentioned that he hopes to do the same with RCB.
“I still remember that a young boy was picked for the first time (to play for RCB) in South Africa. Then again, that memory got fresh (when I came back in 2025), from the first IPL I had, and I didn’t feel like it was a new team. I think when you play IPL, you stay somewhere to win the trophy. And that was quite special because generally, it’s not over till it’s over. The 10-11 years journey was quite special. To play for a team for so many years. Everything I did for the other team (SRH), I want to do it for this team (RCB) this year.”
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
RCB didn’t make me feel awkward: Bhuvneshwar Kumar
During the 2016 season Bhuvneshwar played for SRH which won the championship while his team faced RCB in the final match. The memorable season for the player included 23 wickets taken from 16 matches while maintaining an average of 21.30. His wicket-taking statistics from the next season amounted to 26 victims over 14 matches. Bhuvneshwar experienced an exceptional path through the league as a member of SRH. According to the Uttar Pradesh cricketer he felt uncomfortable playing with RCB after dedicating 11 years to the victorious 2016 champions.
“After playing with the 11-year-old team, I feel a little unusually awkward, but RCB didn’t make me feel that way. They did good not just to me, but for everyone in the team, which is quite good. As a human being, we want to meet more people like that. But on the field, off the field, in my personal life, I am satisfied. 100% No regrets, no complaints.”
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
