Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is an Indian fast bowler known for his ability to control the game with the new ball in the early overs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is also trusted for bowling in pressure situations at the end of matches. He has played for India in all formats of cricket as well as in the Indian Premier League. The player has been a key bowler for his team. He is valued for his skillful use of variations that make it difficult for batters to score freely against him.
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Bhuvneshwar Kumar Singh |
| Role | Bowler (Right-arm medium-fast) |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| Date of Birth | February 5, 1990 |
| Birth Place | Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Father | Kiran Pal Singh |
| Mother | Indresh Singh |
| Wife | Nupur Nagar |
| Kids | Axeia (Daughter) |
| Siblings | Rekha Adhana (Sister) |
| Nickname | Bhuvi |
| Current IPL Team | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| Domestic Team | Uttar Pradesh |
| Jersey Number | 15 |
Net worth
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s total net worth is around ₹75 crore. He gets his income mainly by playing in the Indian Premier League. He has also been part of some startups, which helped him increase his income over time.
IPL Career:
- Bhuvneshwar charges an average annual IPL amount of about ₹10 crore. It varies by season.
- His Total career IPL earnings are ₹100+ crore. This is one of his biggest sources of earning.
Brand Endorsements
- His Average yearly income ranges from ₹2 to ₹4 crore
- Depends on the number of active ads and campaigns he is part of.
India (BCCI) Matches
- Average yearly income during peak years: ₹3 to ₹6 crore
- This includes match fees with the central contract he is in. He had high earnings when he was playing regularly in the Indian team.
Domestic Cricket
- His Average yearly income from domestic cricket play ranges from ₹20 to ₹40 lakh. It is a small income source compared to others.
The Early Life of Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar grew up in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. He belonged to a simple middle-class family. His father was a police officer during the early days. His journey into cricket began because of his elder sister. She took him to a coaching academy far from their home. His sister supported him in the early days. That step played a key role in shaping his career.
Natural Born Swinger
Bhuvneshwar had a natural ability to swing the ball from the very start. It was very rare for the beginners. Coaches quickly noticed his skill and trusted him with the new ball. He started playing for Uttar Pradesh at just 17. He gained major attention when he knocked out Sachin Tendulkar for zero in a Ranji Trophy match. This was what made selectors notice him.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar's Early Domestic Career
| Year | Match Type | Role | Wickets | Total Runs | Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008–09 | Domestic (Ranji) | Bowler | 35 | 242 | First bowler to dismiss Sachin Tendulkar for a 0 in FC cricket. |
| 2012 | Domestic (Duleep) | All-Rounder | 4 | 128 | Scored maiden FC century (128*) batting at No. 8 to win the Semi-Final. |
| 2012–13 | International (ODI/T20) | Bowler | 3 | 4 | Made International debut vs Pakistan; took a wicket on his 1st ODI ball. |
| 2013 | International (ICC) | Bowler | 7 | 10 | Winner, ICC Champions Trophy; named in the "Team of the Tournament." |
| 2014 | International (Test) | All-Rounder | 19 | 247 | India's Player of the Series in England; recorded 6/82 at Lord’s. |
| 2016 | IPL (SRH) | Lead Bowler | 23 | 24 | Purple Cap Winner & IPL Champion with Sunrisers Hyderabad. |
| 2017 | IPL (SRH) | Lead Bowler | 26 | 12 | Purple Cap Winner (Back-to-back); only bowler to achieve this feat. |
| 2022 | International (T20I) | Vice-Captain | 37 | 32 | Leading wicket-taker in Asia Cup (11 wickets); 5/4 vs Afghanistan. |
| 2024 | Domestic (Ranji) | Lead Bowler | 8 | 15 | Recorded career-best First-Class figures of 8/41 against Bengal. |
| 2025 | IPL (RCB) | Lead Bowler | 18 | 21 | IPL Champion with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. |
Ranji Trophy 2007-08
Bhuvneshwar Kumar made his debut for Uttar Pradesh against Bengal in the 2007–08 Ranji Trophy at Eden Gardens. The match took place from 17 to December 19 2007. He took 2 wickets across both innings. He was just 17 years old at that time. It wasn't a blockbuster debut in numbers, but it was enough to show the selectors they had some skills.
Vijay Hazare Trophy Debut: List A Cricket 2007-08
Kumar debuted for Uttar Pradesh in the 2007–08 Vijay Hazare Trophy against Rajasthan. The match was held in Kanpur on February 26 2008. This was his introduction to the 50-over domestic format. The player showed that he could adapt his swing bowling to the different types of games.
Ranji Trophy 2008-09 & The Tendulkar Moment
This season changed everything. Bhuvneshwar Kumar came to the limelight by becoming the first bowler to take the wicket of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar for a duck in first-class cricket in the Ranji Trophy final. He finished that entire season with 35 wickets.
Tendulkar had played first-class cricket for nearly two decades without being dismissed for a golden duck. But a boy from Meerut did it. Taking 35 wickets in the season at such a young age really impressed the people.
2011-12 Ranji Trophy
Bhuvi took 28 wickets in 8 matches at an average of approximately 25. He took five wickets in just 87 runs while bowling. These performances made him Uttar Pradesh's leading wicket-taker for the season. He was Player of the Season for Uttar Pradesh.
Vijay Hazare Trophy
Bhuvneshwar Kumar had an amazing performance in this tournament. He took 21 wickets during the season. He gave very few runs, on average, 16 runs per wicket.
The Duleep Trophy 2012
This time, Bhuvneshwar surprised everyone with his batting. He came to bat at No. 8 when his team was in a very bad situation. He scored 128 runs in that match. It was the highest score in his team. Bhuvi helped his team reach the final. This showed that he can support his team with batting, too.
Return to Ranji Trophy 2024
Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned to domestic cricket in 2024 after many years. He took 8 wickets for 41 runs in a match against Bengal. Bhuvi took 5 wickets on the first day and 3 more on the second day. Fans were happy to see him again in the Ranji Trophy.
International Career
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has played an important role in Indian cricket as one of the most reliable bowlers. He was known for giving India strong starts with the ball in ODIs and T20Is by taking early wickets. He also contributed to Test cricket with his ability to move the ball both ways. This made him useful in helpful conditions. He played an important role in major tournaments over the years. The player has shown his skills in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy win. India lifted the trophy with its consistent bowling support.
| Year | Match Type | Role | Wickets | Runs Scored | Significant Achievements |
| 2012 | T20I / ODI | Bowler | 4 | 0 | International Debut: Took a wicket in his 1st T20I over and his 1st ODI ball. |
| 2013 | Test / ODI / T20I | Bowler | 42 | 165 | Champions Trophy Winner: Part of the ICC Team of the Tournament; Test Debut vs Australia. |
| 2014 | Test / ODI | All-Rounder | 31 | 288 | Lord's Masterclass: Took 6/82 at Lord's; Indian Player of the Series in England. |
| 2015 | ODI / T20I | Bowler | 12 | 18 | Played 2015 World Cup; struggled with ankle injuries during the year. |
| 2016 | Test / ODI / T20I | Bowler | 13 | 42 | Comeback Year: Took 5-wicket hauls against West Indies (Away) and NZ (Home). |
| 2017 | ODI / T20I | Bowler | 34 | 148 | Champions Trophy Finalist: Named in ICC Team of the Tournament for the 2nd time. |
| 2018 | Test / ODI / T20I | Bowler | 39 | 102 | Historic Record: 1st Indian to have a 5-for in all 3 formats (5/24 vs SA in T20I). |
| 2019 | ODI / T20I | Bowler | 51 | 54 | 100 Wicket Club: Reached 100 ODI wickets; played in the 2019 World Cup. |
| 2020 | T20I | Bowler | 2 | 0 | Limited play due to COVID-19 pandemic and injury management. |
| 2021 | ODI / T20I | Vice-Captain | 15 | 45 | Leadership Role: Named Vice-Captain for SL tour; ICC Player of the Month (March). |
| 2022 | ODI / T20I | Bowler | 51 | 38 | Asia Cup Dominance: 5/4 vs Afghanistan; Finished as tournament leading wicket-taker (11). |
The Debut: December 2012 vs Pakistan
Bhuvneshwar Kumar quickly impressed everyone with his swing bowling in his debut for India in 2012. He played all formats within a short time.
- He took a wicket in his very first over of the first match.
- He got a wicket in his first ODI ball
- Bhuvi also took 3 wickets in total in the T20 match
Test Debut & The 2013 Champions Trophy
Bhuvneshwar made his Test debut against Australia in 2013. Soon became part of India’s successful team. He was in the squad that won the 2013 Champions Trophy. The player was also included in the Team of the Tournament, showing his strong performance.
- He took 4 wickets for just 8 runs in a match against Sri Lanka
- Bhuvneshwr Won Player of the Series that time
ICC Champions Trophy 2017
Bhuvneshwar Kumar was India’s main swing bowler. He was again selected in the Team of the Tournament. Bhuvi had formed a strong bowling partnership with Jasprit Bumrah and improved his death bowling skills.
2018 South Africa Tour & Career Peak
Bhuvneshwar gave the best performances in big matches. He became the first Indian bowler to take a five-wicket haul in all three formats (Tests, ODIs, T20Is). This period marked the peak of his career.
ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 and comeback
Bhuvneshwar Kumar reached 100 ODI wickets before the tournament. He was selected for the World Cup but missed matches due to his injury. But he made a strong return to the Indian team. During this time:
- He became vice-captain for the ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka
- Won ICC Player of the Month in 2021
- Selected for the T20 World Cup squad
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s IPL Legacy
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been one of the most reliable fast bowlers in the history of the IPL. He is known for his smooth swing with the new ball. He built a reputation as a bowler who could control both the early and final overs of a match. Bhuvi was taken by Royal Challengers Bengaluru, but he never got a chance to play for two seasons. He officially started his career with pune warriors in 2011.
Most Reliable Swing Bowler
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar has played a key role in the IPL for many years. He has made many records and is still making them in his IPL career.
- Made his IPL debut in 2011. The player quickly became known for his bowling accuracy.
- Played a major part in India’s bowling attack in all formats. He made a huge contribution to Indian cricket.
- Became a key bowler for Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he spent most of his IPL career. He slowly became their main strike bowler.
- Won the IPL Purple Cap twice (2016 and 2017) by finishing as the highest wicket-taker in those seasons.
- The player is also trusted in death overs for his ability to bowl under pressure.
- Crossed 200 wickets in IPL history, becoming one of the highest wicket-takers in the tournament.
- Bhuvneshwar helped India win the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. He became one of India’s most reliable fast bowlers.
| Season | Team | Role | Wickets | Runs | Key Achievement | Result |
| 2009–10 | RCB | Bowler | 0 | 0 | Earned his first IPL contract; did not feature in playing XI. | Semi-Finalists / Finalists |
| 2011 | PWI | Bowler | 3 | 16 | IPL Debut season; maintained a tidy economy of 6.09. | 9th Place |
| 2012 | PWI | Bowler | 8 | 15 | Established himself as a powerplay specialist. | 9th Place |
| 2013 | PWI | Bowler | 13 | 52 | Leading wicket-taker for Pune Warriors India. | 8th Place |
| 2014 | SRH | Bowler | 20 | 25 | Smashed expectations with best figures of 4/14 vs RR. | 6th Place |
| 2015 | SRH | Bowler | 18 | 35 | Consistent performer; led the SRH pace attack. | 6th Place |
| 2016 | SRH | Bowler | 23 | 10 | Purple Cap Winner; played a key role in the final. | Champions |
| 2017 | SRH | Bowler | 26 | 12 | Purple Cap Winner; first to win it back-to-back. | Playoffs |
| 2018 | SRH | Bowler | 9 | 14 | Named Vice-Captain; led the team to the final. | Runner-up |
| 2019 | SRH | Bowler | 13 | 11 | Reached the milestone of 130 IPL wickets. | Playoffs |
| 2020 | SRH | Bowler | 3 | 0 | Season cut short due to a thigh muscle injury. | Playoffs |
| 2021 | SRH | Bowler | 6 | 34 | Reached 140 IPL wickets despite fitness struggles. | 8th Place |
| 2022 | SRH | Bowler | 12 | 24 | Crossed the 150-wicket mark in the IPL. | 8th Place |
| 2023 | SRH | Bowler | 16 | 32 | Claimed his 2nd IPL 5-wicket haul (5/30 vs GT). | 10th Place |
| 2024 | SRH | Bowler | 11 | 22 | Helped SRH reach their first final in 6 years. | Runner-up |
| 2025 | RCB | Bowler | 17 | 15 | Returned to RCB; claimed 2 wickets in the Final. | Champions |
Bhuvneshwar Kumar Enters the Record Books
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has created history in the IPL by becoming the first fast bowler ever to take 200 wickets in the tournament. He has created a milestone that shows his long-lasting skill. The player has come a long way from swinging the new ball in the power play to delivering tight overs at the death. He has been a constant match-winner for years. The player has given his best, especially for the IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad. He spent 11 seasons with the team from 2014 to 2024.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has a reputation for controlling games with his accuracy. He has set a new benchmark for fast bowlers in the IPL. The player has made himself one of the greatest bowlers in the league’s history. He set this history by taking his 200th IPL wicket while dismissing Chennai Super Kings batter Ayush Mhatre in a match in Bengaluru.
Frequently asked questions
What is Bhuvneshwar Kumar's age?
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is currently 36 years old.
Who is Bhuvneshwar Kumar's wife?
He is married to Nupur Nagar. The two got married in November 2017.
Is Bhuvneshwar Kumar still playing cricket?
Yes. Bhuvneshwar Kumar continues to play in the IPL for RCB. He also represents Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket.
What is Bhuvneshwar Kumar famous for?
He is famous for his ability to swing the ball both ways. The player is famously known as the Swing King.