IPL25
Follow UsBhuvneshwar Kumar reunited with his first Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), after he was bought for a record price of INR 10.75 Cr at the IPL 2025 Mega Auction. This is the highest price paid to Bhuvneshwar by any franchise after he was first bought by the Challengers for INR 6 Lakhs in 2009.
However, the Uttar Pradesh-born player did not get to play even a single game for the Bengaluru-based side. Eventually, it was the Pune Warriors India (now defunct) that gave Bhuvneshwar a chance in 2011. The right-arm pacer, who is considered one of the finest swing bowlers in the country, grabbed the opportunity with both hands, taking 24 wickets in 31 matches across three seasons.
However, Bhuvneshwar unleashed his real potential at Sunrisers Hyderabad, for whom he took 146 wickets in 129 innings and won the purple cap twice in 2016 and 2017. Lucknow Super Giants started bidding for Bhuvneshwar, with Mumbai Indians joining them in the bidding war. Both teams went on until INR 10.50 Cr, and it required only one bid from RCB to get Bhuvneshwar back home.
The 34-year-old has so far taken 181 wickets in 176 IPL matches at an average of 27.23 and an economy rate of 7.56.
If you’ve not downloaded the Cricket.com app yet, you’re missing out on our content — big time. Download the App here
