Bhuvneshwar Kumar is a specialist bowler from India playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. IPL 2026 fantasy price: 9 Cr on CricketDream.
🏏BHUVNESHWAR KUMAR: THE STORY
Swing bowler, first Indian with five-wicket hauls in all three formats and the first to win back-to-back Purple Caps.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar was never the quickest, but few bowlers have moved a new ball both ways as reliably. He is the first Indian with a five-wicket haul in Tests, ODIs and T20Is.
By the CricketDream editorial team. Facts checked against official records on . How our data works
Facts worth knowing
- He took a wicket with his first ball in ODI cricket, against Pakistan in December 2012.
- He is the only bowler whose first wicket in all three formats was bowled.
- He won the IPL Purple Cap in 2016 and 2017, the first bowler to win it in consecutive seasons.
- He was the leading wicket-taker at the 2022 Asia Cup with 11.
- He won the 2013 Champions Trophy with India and the 2016 IPL with Sunrisers Hyderabad.
🧠Quick quiz: how well do you know Bhuvneshwar Kumar?
3 questions, answers explained. No sign-up needed.
- 1. What happened with Bhuvneshwar's first ball in ODI cricket?
- 2. In which two seasons did Bhuvneshwar win the IPL Purple Cap?
- 3. How did Bhuvneshwar take his first wicket in each format?
🏏PLAYER DETAILS
🌍INTERNATIONAL CAREER
In T20Is, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has scored 67 runs across 87 matches at an average of 8.38 (SR 71.28). Best score: 16. With the ball: 90 T20I wickets at an average of 23.10, with best figures of 5/4. In ODIs, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has scored 552 runs across 121 matches at an average of 14.15 (SR 73.90). Best score: 53*. With the ball: 141 ODI wickets at an average of 34.94 and economy of 5.10, with best figures of 5/42. In Tests, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has scored 552 runs across 21 matches at an average of 22.08 (SR 45.06). Best score: 63*. With the ball: 63 Test wickets at an average of 26.10 and economy of 2.95, with best figures of 6/82.
| Format | Mat | Runs | Avg | SR | 100s | 50s | Wkts | Bowl Avg | Eco |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20I | 87 | 67 | 8.38 | 71.28 | 0 | 0 | 90 | 23.10 | — |
| ODI | 121 | 552 | 14.15 | 73.90 | 0 | 1 | 141 | 34.94 | 5.10 |
| Test | 21 | 552 | 22.08 | 45.06 | 0 | 3 | 63 | 26.10 | 2.95 |
| M | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | SR | 50s | 100s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 87 | 19 | 11 | 67 | 16 | 8.38 | 71.28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Inn | Wkts | Runs | Avg | Eco | SR | BBI | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85 | 90 | 2079 | 23.10 | — | 0.0 | 5/4 | 1 |
📋PLAYER OVERVIEW
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is a specialist bowler representing Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026, priced at 9 Cr on CricketDream.
Across 16 matches this IPL season, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has scored 973 fantasy points: 61 a game, at 108.1 points per credit.
📊RECENT FORM (LAST 5 MATCHES)
| Match | Overs | Wkts | Catches | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NZ v IND1 Nov 2026 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| NZ v IND27 Oct 2026 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 | -1 |
| NZ v IND24 Oct 2026 | 4.0 | 1 | 0 | 24 |
| NZ v IND22 Oct 2026 | 4.0 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| RCB v GT31 May 2026 | 4.0 | 2 | 0 | 54 |
Over the last 5 games, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is averaging 18 fantasy points, against 61 for the season. Most recently against NZ: 7. Best of the run was 54.
👥ON CRICKETDREAM
Across Bhuvneshwar Kumar's last 15 fixtures, 65% of CricketDream teams started Bhuvneshwar Kumar and 5% handed over the captaincy, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar averaged 51 fantasy points in those games. The captains who backed Bhuvneshwar Kumar got the best return in RCB v KKR: 39 points (78 as captain), with 28% of teams on board.
Counts real CricketDream teams only. Internal test accounts are excluded.
🎯FANTASY VERDICT
61 a game at 9 Cr, or 108.1 points per credit, across 16 matches.
CREDIT VALUE
❓FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who is Bhuvneshwar Kumar?▾
Bhuvneshwar Kumar was never the quickest, but few bowlers have moved a new ball both ways as reliably. He is the first Indian with a five-wicket haul in Tests, ODIs and T20Is.
What are the best-known facts about Bhuvneshwar Kumar?▾
He took a wicket with his first ball in ODI cricket, against Pakistan in December 2012. He is the only bowler whose first wicket in all three formats was bowled. He won the IPL Purple Cap in 2016 and 2017, the first bowler to win it in consecutive seasons. He was the leading wicket-taker at the 2022 Asia Cup with 11.
Which IPL team does Bhuvneshwar Kumar play for in 2026?▾
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is a bowler for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
What are Bhuvneshwar Kumar's fantasy stats in IPL 2026?▾
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has 973 fantasy points from 16 matches, an average of 61 per game, or 108.1 points per credit at 9 Cr.
Is Bhuvneshwar Kumar a good captain pick?▾
On the numbers, yes. Bhuvneshwar Kumar averages 61 points a game, and a captain scores double, so Bhuvneshwar Kumar is one of the stronger armband options.
What are Bhuvneshwar Kumar's international cricket career stats?▾
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has international career data across T20I, ODI, Test. Bhuvneshwar Kumar's best batting format is ODI: 552 runs in 121 matches with a batting average of 14.15.
How many T20I runs has Bhuvneshwar Kumar scored in international cricket?▾
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has scored 67 runs in 87 T20I matches, averaging 8.38 at a strike rate of 71.28. Highest score: 16.
How many T20I wickets does Bhuvneshwar Kumar have?▾
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has taken 90 wickets in T20I cricket in 87 matches with a bowling average of 23.10. Best bowling: 5/4 with 1 five-wicket haul.
How many ODI runs has Bhuvneshwar Kumar scored in international cricket?▾
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has scored 552 runs in 121 ODI matches, averaging 14.15 at a strike rate of 73.90. Highest score: 53*.
How many ODI wickets does Bhuvneshwar Kumar have?▾
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has taken 141 wickets in ODI cricket in 121 matches with a bowling average of 34.94 and an economy rate of 5.10. Best bowling: 5/42 with 1 five-wicket haul.
How many Test runs has Bhuvneshwar Kumar scored in international cricket?▾
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has scored 552 runs in 21 Test matches, averaging 22.08 at a strike rate of 45.06. Highest score: 63*.
How many Test wickets does Bhuvneshwar Kumar have?▾
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has taken 63 wickets in Test cricket in 21 matches with a bowling average of 26.10 and an economy rate of 2.95. Best bowling: 6/82 with 4 five-wicket hauls.
How does Bhuvneshwar Kumar's IPL performance compare with the international career?▾
In IPL 2026, Bhuvneshwar Kumar averages 61 fantasy points per match. Internationally, the best batting average is 14.15 in ODIs.
Share Bhuvneshwar Kumar's profile
⚔️COMPARE THIS PLAYER
See how Bhuvneshwar Kumar stacks up head-to-head against other top IPL 2026 picks: credits, form and fantasy value side by side.
Play on CricketDream
Between fixtures, play daily Cricket Grid, CricketQuest or Quiz. All free on CricketDream.