“Best After Bumrah”: Dinesh Karthik Praises Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s RCB Resurgence
A behind-the-scenes video of former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik praising veteran fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar has resurfaced, aligning perfectly with Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s dramatic victory over Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026.
Vintage Swing Bowling Dismantles Mumbai Indians
On Sunday in Raipur, Bhuvneshwar delivered a masterclass in swing bowling to help RCB secure a two-wicket victory in a final-over thriller. On a pitch offering uneven bounce, the right-arm seamer decimated the Mumbai top order, removing Ryan Rickelton, Rohit Sharma, and Suryakumar Yadav in a devastating opening spell.
He capped off the player-of-the-match performance by hitting the winning six in the 20th over of the run chase.
Match Performance Breakdown
| Metric | Statistics |
|---|---|
| Bowling Figures | 4 overs, 4/23 |
| Key Wickets | R. Rickelton, R. Sharma, S. Yadav |
| Economy Rate | 5.75 |
| Batting Contribution | Match-winning six (final over) |
Karthik and Ashwin Advocate for National Return
Ahead of Bhuvneshwar’s milestone 200th appearance in the Indian Premier League against Lucknow Super Giants, RCB management shared a clip featuring Karthik and head coach Andy Flower discussing the bowler’s impact. In the video, Karthik offered high praise for the veteran pacer.
“Just for the record, I am convinced that he is the best bowler India has after Jasprit Bumrah even today. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the best T20 bowler,” Karthik stated.
The sentiment is gaining traction across the Indian cricket fraternity. Following the Raipur match, former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin campaigned for the bowler’s return to the national setup, stating on JioStar: “Hashtag ‘BringBackBhuvi’, I’d love to see him being considered for the T20I side.” Fans and analysts continue tracking squad updates via the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
Leading the IPL 2026 Purple Cap Race
Bhuvneshwar’s current campaign is yielding unprecedented numbers for a fast bowler at this stage of his career. He currently anchors the RCB bowling attack while leading the tournament’s wicket-taking charts.
- Matches Played: 11
- Total Wickets: 21
- Economy Rate: Best among the top 10 wicket-takers this season
- Milestone: First fast bowler to reach 200 IPL matches
Reaching 200 IPL appearances establishes a new benchmark for pace bowlers, a record verifiable through ESPNcricinfo historical data. While spinners and top-order batters have crossed this threshold, managing fast-bowling workloads over nearly two decades requires exceptional fitness and technical adaptability.
As RCB pushes toward the playoffs, Bhuvneshwar’s form remains their primary asset. If his current trajectory holds, a return to international cricket under the International Cricket Council framework may transition from a fan movement to a strategic necessity for the Indian team.