Bhuvneshwar Kumar hasn't been nicknamed the "Swing King" for his dance moves. He is among the best fast bowlers in the history of Indian cricket, and that says something. Kumar is loved by fans and feared by enemies for the same reasons: pinpoint accuracy and deceiving inswingers, which often leave batters completely defenseless. Is Kumar ready for the Test challenge in England?
Those who follow Indian cricket are well acquainted with Kumar's name and fame. His name appears in crypto sports betting every time the Royal Challengers Bengaluru step onto the pitch. The 35-year-old fast bowler is a veteran with a long track record of outstanding performances in several Indian teams and also for the national squad.
Here are some of his most relevant bowling records across different formats.
He debuted in professional cricket in 2009 with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. In 2011, he joined the Pune Warriors India, a recently created team. He performed so well that the club kept him for the next season. Kumar has also played for the Sunrisers Hyderabad and Uttar Pradesh, often tilting the cricket odds to his side. Some of his most memorable performances include:
The India tour of England will run from June 20 to August 4. During this period, there will be five Test matches against England. Each game will last four days, with eight hours of intensive playing each day. There will be seven days of well-deserved rest between one match and another.
Still, players must be in top physical health to endure the schedule against such a tough opponent. Kumar's last Test tour of England ended well for him, as he was the team's best bowler on the occasion. However, it's still unclear whether he'll be part of the next edition's squad.
Last year, Bhuvneshwar Kumar defended Sunrisers Hyderabad with outstanding results. The squad nearly won the season but was left behind by Kolkata Knight Riders by three points. Indeed, he was a vital part of the team that lost only one game out of 14. That's why his new deal with a redeemed Royal Challengers Bangaluru for 2025 wasn't cheap. The player signed back with the team, where his career started for INR 107.5 million.
Ironically, he delivered a smashing performance against RCB last year, with 13 runs and a strike rate of 100. It was a tough year for RCB, indeed, rising back from the bottom of the table to its first half. Kumar has praised the team's incredible recovery last year, and he seems very excited about going back to where it all started. Still, he claimed to be pretty surprised when RCB made the move in the last auction.
Despite an enviable track record of outstanding performances, he hasn't been part of Team India in T20 competitions since 2022. Kumar suffered from injuries and decreased physical performance during this period. The fact that there's a new generation of high-quality bowlers coming up also impacts his chances of getting back to the national squad.
Competitions like the Test tour of England require impeccable physical health. Similar reasons kept him out of the T20 England 2025 Series. Nevertheless, Kumar proved that he's still a game-changing force in the IPL 2024, nearly taking the Sunrisers Hyderabad to the tabletop.
In one of his last matches, in December 2024, Kumar pulled a triple-wicket maiden and a hat-trick, while captaining Uttar Pradesh against Jharkhand, for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Kumar seems eager to prove he's back to business, and his recent performances are, undoubtedly, a display of strength, technique, and physical prowess.
Kumar is now 35 years old, and his career started in 2009 with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. In 2011, he joined the recently created Pune Warriors in India.
Kumar has also played for the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Uttar Pradesh, and is currently defending the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He has also played for Team India multiple times and in different formats.
Kumar's stats look their best in the T20 format, with more wickets, balls, and runs than in any other format.
Five matches are scheduled between June 20 and August 4. The last game will take place at the Kennington Oval in London.
