On Saturday, November 23, a day before the highly anticipated IPL 2025 mega auction, veteran Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar etched his name in the history books. Playing for Uttar Pradesh against Delhi in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Bhuvneshwar became the first Indian fast bowler to take 300 T20 wickets, surpassing Jasprit Bumrah in the all-time list.
A Record-Breaking Achievement
Bhuvneshwar achieved this monumental feat in his 287th T20 match, claiming his first wicket of the game to reach the milestone.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar: 300 wickets in 287 matches
- Jasprit Bumrah: 295 wickets in 233 matches
With this, Bhuvneshwar now ranks as the fourth-highest Indian wicket-taker in T20s, trailing only:
- Yuzvendra Chahal: 354 wickets
- Piyush Chawla: 314 wickets
- Ravichandran Ashwin: 310 wickets
The Comeback Trail for Bhuvi
Once a dependable option for India across all formats, Bhuvneshwar Kumar held the title of India’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is for years. However, his international career took a backseat after India’s disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup 2022, and he hasn’t played white-ball cricket for India since.
Despite his absence on the international stage, Bhuvneshwar remained a key player for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL, having joined the franchise in 2014 and staying loyal for a decade. However, after a lackluster IPL 2024 campaign, SRH released him ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.
What’s Next for Bhuvneshwar?
As Bhuvneshwar Kumar leads Uttar Pradesh in the domestic circuit, the question now looms: can he revive his fortunes in the IPL?
- He has entered the IPL 2025 mega auction with a base price of ₹2 crores.
- SRH faces a tough decision, as they cannot use their Right to Match (RTM) card on Bhuvneshwar, having reserved it for an uncapped player.
The IPL auction dynamics could bring a new chapter for the seasoned bowler, as teams searching for a reliable and experienced pacer might view him as a valuable addition.