3 reasons why RCB splurging for Bhuvneshwar Kumar at IPL 2025 Auction is the wrong move
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) went all out to bring back pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar into their squad at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction on Day 2.
The Bengaluru franchise spent a huge sum of INR 10.75 crore. Interestingly, Bhuveshwar began his journey in the IPL with RCB when he was a part of the team in 2009. However, he did not feature in a single match for them. After a long gap, he now returns to his former team.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar comes in with significant experience in the league and in international cricket as well. While RCB have struggled with their bowling over the years, many would see this as a good move, bringing in a quality Indian pacer.
However, it is questionable whether the right-arm pacer is past his prime and can still deliver performances like he used to in the past. Despite all his experience and skills, RCB splurging a hefty sum of above INR 10 crore on Bhuvneshwar could prove to be the wrong choice, and here are three reasons why.
#3 Dip in IPL form and recent performances
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is one of the most successful bowlers in the history of the IPL, having picked up 181 wickets from 176 matches in his career. He is considered among the greatest bowlers in the league.
However, his performance and form in the last season saw a major dip as he could not deliver as per his previous standards. Bhuvneshwar managed to bag just 11 wickets from 16 matches last season playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Moreover, he had a poor average of 48.45 with an economy rate of 9.35. As a result, he was released by Hyderabad. He recently played in the Uttar Pradesh T20 League as well but did not have any significant performance there either, indicating that his recent form has not been as great.
#2 Age factor and being out of the national team for a significant period
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is now 34 years old. While it is often said that age is just a number, it may not necessarily hold true in this case. With increasing age, it becomes difficult for fast bowlers to deliver at their prime.
He has also sustained several injuries and at this stage in his career, fitness may not be on his side, which could prevent him from delivering under pressure, especially in a stadium such as the Chinnaswamy that is known for extreme bowling conditions.
Moreover, he has also been out of the Indian national team for a long time now. He last played white-ball cricket for India in 2022 and since then has failed to make it back to the national side due to a dip in performance and fitness issues.
#1 Could Bhuvneshwar Kumar's strength make it difficult for him to find a place in the XI?
Keeping his recent form and age aside, Bhuvneshwar Kumar's strength or strong phase of late has been his bowling in the powerplay overs, which he has been known for throughout his career as well.
Looking at the RCB squad, they already have key pacers in the line-up such as Yash Dayal, who was retained, and Josh Hazlewood, who returns to the setup after being brought in the auction.
Both Yash Dayal and Josh Hazlewood are key powerplay bowlers who can pick up wickets at the top and trouble batters. With the two more fit and performing pacers in the line-up who are certain to share the new ball, it remains to be seen if Bhuvneshwar would fit into the XI.
If he does not bowl in the powerplay, it will be interesting to see how he performs in other phases and this makes his inclusion at such a high price questionable.