Bhuvneshwar Kumar Singh, popularly known as Bhuvneshwar Kumar, is an Indian cricket player known for his exceptional swing bowling skills. Born on February 5, 1990, in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar made his mark in international cricket as one of India’s most promising fast bowlers.
From the very beginning of his career, Bhuvneshwar exhibited an exceptional command on his line and length. In the final of the 2008-09 Ranji Trophy, when he was just 19 years old, he worked his magic on none other than the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, dismissing him for his first duck in domestic first-class cricket.
Making his debut for India in 2012, Bhuvneshwar showcased his ability to swing the ball both ways and had an impeccable inswinger. In his very first T20I over, he dismantled Nasir Jamshed’s stumps. Similarly, in his first ODI delivery, he bowled out Mohammad Hafeez. His ability to swing the ball early in his career made him India’s answer to the long-standing fast-bowling scarcity.
One of the highlights of Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s career was his exceptional performance during India’s tour of England in 2014. Despite India’s overall struggle, Bhuvneshwar was outstanding, taking 19 wickets, including a remarkable 6 for 82 in the victory at Lord’s. However, an ankle injury in Australia soon after hindered his progress, which kept him out of action for most of the following year.
Returning to the game after his injury, Bhuvneshwar focused on increasing his pace and traded swing bowling for raw speed. Although this approach brought mixed results, he still managed to record two five-wicket hauls in 2016, displaying glimpses of his potential. Injuries continued to plague him, and his appearances in Tests became sporadic, leading to his last Test series against South Africa in 2018.
Despite these setbacks in the longest format of the game, Bhuvneshwar flourished in white-ball cricket, proving to be a reliable and wicket-taking bowler. During the 2013 tri-series in the Caribbean, he took a magnificent 4 for 8 against Sri Lanka, finishing as the leading wicket-taker with ten wickets in four matches. He formed a formidable partnership with Jasprit Bumrah and became India’s go-to bowler at the death, using his exceptional slower balls and yorkers to great effect.
Bhuvneshwar’s impact in limited-overs cricket mirrored his success in the Indian Premier League (IPL). After initially being overlooked by Royal Challengers Bangalore, he joined Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2014. He quickly established himself as a critical player for the franchise, excelling in both the powerplay and death overs. Bhuvneshwar consistently took more than 18 wickets in each of his first four IPL seasons, winning the prestigious purple cap twice, in 2016 and 2017. He played a vital role in Sunrisers’ successful title campaign in 2016.
While his performances slightly declined in subsequent seasons, Bhuvneshwar remains Sunrisers Hyderabad’s leading wicket-taker of all time. His mastery in the IPL further cemented his reputation as a skillful bowler and earned him accolades from fans and experts alike.
Bhuvbeshwar Kumar’s dedication to his craft and ability to adapt to different formats of the game have made him a valuable asset for the Indian cricket team. His contributions with the ball, both with swing and increased pace, coupled with his handy lower-order batting, have made him an integral part of the Indian squad. With his remarkable achievements in international and domestic cricket, Bhuvneshwar continues to be an inspiration for aspiring fast bowlers in India and around the world.
