Bhuvneshwar Kumar Makes IPL History with 200th Wicket as RCB Overpower CSK
BENGALURU — Royal Challengers Bengaluru fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar became the first pace bowler in the history of the Indian Premier League to reach 200 career wickets. The milestone occurred Sunday during RCB’s 43-run victory over the Chennai Super Kings at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Kumar secured his place in the record books by dismissing Chennai opener Ayush Mhatre. Delivering a hard-length ball outside the off stump, Kumar cramped Mhatre on the pull shot. The mistimed hit looped toward mid-off, where RCB captain Rajat Patidar secured the catch to seal the historic dismissal.
Leading IPL Wicket-Takers
With this achievement, Kumar joins spinner Yuzvendra Chahal as the only two players to cross the 200-wicket threshold in the tournament. Kumar now holds 202 wickets in 192 matches, reinforcing his status as the most successful fast bowler in IPL history.
| Bowler | Matches | Wickets | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yuzvendra Chahal | 176 | 224 | 22.68 |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 192 | 202 | 27.25 |
| Sunil Narine | 191 | 193 | — |
Data reflects the all-time IPL wicket-takers list following Sunday’s fixture.
RCB Batters Dominate Chennai Attack
Before Kumar’s milestone spell, Royal Challengers Bengaluru posted a commanding total of 250 for 3 in their 20 overs. The innings featured high strike rates across the batting order and a barrage of 19 sixes, neutralizing the CSK bowling unit.
- Virat Kohli: 28 runs (18 balls)
- Phil Salt: 46 runs (29 balls)
- Devdutt Padikkal: 50 runs (29 balls)
- Rajat Patidar: 48 not out (19 balls)
- Tim David: 70 not out (25 balls)
The total was anchored by an unbroken 99-run partnership off 35 deliveries between Patidar and David. David accelerated the scoring in the final overs, hitting eight sixes to push the total to 250. Chennai Super Kings managed 207 runs in response, falling 43 runs short of the target set by the BCCI-sanctioned franchise.