Bhuvneshwar Kumar sidesteps Purple Cap talk, stresses team over milestones: 'I'm not young anymore'

Even at 36, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has shown that his skillset remains as effective as ever, mixing control with timely breakthroughs to keep his team in the game.

Updated on: May 1, 2026, 14:48:19 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Bhuvneshwar Kumar has rediscovered his rhythm in the ongoing IPL season, turning back the clock with a series of disciplined and impactful spells. The RCB pacer has been among the standout performers this year, currently leading the Purple Cap race with 16 wickets from nine matches. His latest effort came against Gujarat Titans, where he picked up three crucial wickets while defending a modest target of 156, helping RCB stay in the contest despite pressure from the other end. Even at 36, Bhuvneshwar has shown that his skillset remains as effective as ever, mixing control with timely breakthroughs to keep his team in the game.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Bhuvneshwar Kumar is currently leading the Purple Cap race. (PTI)

In the same match, he also reached a major career milestone, becoming the first fast bowler and only the second Indian overall to complete 350 wickets in T20 cricket. The landmark came on Friday, when he returned figures of 3/28 in four overs in a disciplined display. Across his T20 career, Bhuvneshwar now has 352 wickets from 325 matches at an average of 24.51. His record also includes five four-wicket hauls and five five-wicket hauls, underlining his long-standing consistency in the format and his ability to deliver across phases of the game.

Speaking after a standout performance that also saw him take over the Purple Cap lead, Bhuvneshwar reflected on his shift in mindset, moving away from individual milestones and focusing more on team goals, while acknowledging how his priorities have evolved with experience and age.

"It's good that I got the Purple Cap. But I think I have come out of that time where I want to achieve something individually," Bhuvneshwar said at the post-match press conference.

"Of course, I want to achieve something, but now it's more of a team. I'm not young anymore. Of course, when you're young, you want to win those awards, and it comes when you do well.

"But when you want to work towards the team's goal, and you get an individual award or reward, you feel good. But honestly, I'm just trying my best. Getting confidence from the management. That's all I can say," he added.

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“Chasing easier in any ground”: Bhuvneshwar

Bhuvneshwar further acknowledged that chasing has generally been easier in this IPL season, pointing to conditions and dew as key factors influencing games. He admitted that batting second often brings advantages, but was quick to shift focus to his team’s execution on the day rather than external factors like the toss.

"If you look at this IPL, chasing is a bit easier in any ground because the way wicket behaves and dew comes. So, yes, it could be different. But yeah, we didn't win the toss. We were asked to bat first. We tried our best in bowling. So now the result is that we lost. That's all," he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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