Bhuvneshwar Kumar joins elite list for pacers in IPL history

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Apr 3, 2025, 14:26 IST

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Bhuvneshwar Kumar became the joint-highest wicket-taker among pacers in IPL history with 183 wickets during RCB's match against Gujarat Titans. Despite his impressive performance, RCB lost by eight wickets. Bhuvneshwar's economical bowling stood out in the game where Gujarat chased a 170-run target successfully, thanks to contributions from Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar joins elite list for pacers in IPL history

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowls a delivery against Gujarat Titans during an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 cricket match at M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru. (PTI)

Bhuvneshwar Kumar made history by becoming the joint-highest wicket-taker among pace bowlers in the Indian Premier League during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's match against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025. Despite his impressive spell of 1/23, RCB suffered an eight-wicket defeat on their home ground as Gujarat Titans successfully chased down the target of 170 runs.
Kumar's milestone achievement saw him equal Dwayne Bravo's record of 183 wickets in IPL history. While Bravo reached this figure in 161 appearances, Kumar achieved it in 178 matches. The Indian pacer now shares the third position on the all-time IPL wicket-takers list, behind only Yuzvendra Chahal with 206 wickets and Piyush Chawla with 192 wickets.
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Which player had the biggest impact in the match?

Sherfane RutherfordSai SudharsanJos ButtlerBhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar, known as the "Prince of Swing," displayed his expertise by delivering an economical spell, conceding runs at just 5.80 per over. He made an early impact by dismissing GT captain Shubman Gill, though his efforts ultimately proved insufficient for his team's victory.

The match at M Chinnaswamy Stadium saw Gujarat Titans execute a perfect chase on opposition territory. After Kumar's early breakthrough, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler formed a crucial 75-run partnership for the second wicket, significantly denting RCB's chances of defending their total.
Josh Hazlewood managed to break the partnership by dismissing Sudharsan, but the damage was already done. Gujarat Titans then brought in Sherfane Rutherford as an impact substitute to complete the chase.

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The match concluded in the 18th over with a flourish of boundaries. Buttler struck two consecutive sixes, followed by Rutherford's decisive hit over deep backward square to secure Gujarat Titans' victory with eight wickets in hand.
The defeat marked Rajat Patdiar's first loss as RCB captain, though Kumar's record-equaling performance remained a positive takeaway for the team.
Most wickets in IPL history
Yuzvendra Chahal - 206 wickets
Piyush Chawla - 192 wickets
Dwayne Bravo - 183 wickets
Bhuvneshwar Kumar - 183 wickets
R Ashwin - 183 wickets
Sunil Narine - 183 wickets

Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India, including match schedules, team squads, points table and IPL live score for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Don't miss the list of players in the race for IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple cap.

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