Veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar is thrilled to return to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for IPL 2025, marking a major milestone in his career as he reunites with the franchise where his IPL journey began. Bhuvneshwar, who first played for RCB back in 2009, will once again don the red and gold jersey after being bought for a significant price of Rs 10.75 crore during the IPL 2025 mega auction. His return to RCB, where he made his IPL debut, is particularly special as it brings him full circle after more than a decade in the league.
The pacer expressed his excitement through a heartfelt video shared by RCB’s official social media platforms. Reflecting on the franchise's remarkable performance in IPL 2024, Bhuvneshwar praised RCB's perseverance and adaptability. He specifically highlighted their incredible turnaround, where they climbed from the bottom of the table to finish in the top 4. “Last year, RCB played the first half and the second half. It was different. The way they were playing the second half, you always feel good, looking at the team. Not from an opposition point of view, but as a cricketer or a guy who loves cricket, you always admire those things. You always want to adapt to those things. How they came back,” Bhuvneshwar said, acknowledging the grit and determination shown by the team.
RCB's performance in IPL 2024, where they won six consecutive matches to qualify for the playoffs, left a lasting impression on Bhuvneshwar. Although he was part of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the time, he admired RCB's resilience and performance from afar. The unpredictability of the auction meant he wasn’t sure if RCB would bid for him, but when the franchise selected him, he was welcomed with messages from the coach and management, which added an emotional touch to his return.
Bhuvneshwar’s journey in the IPL began in 2009, when he made his debut for RCB during the Champions League T20. Though he went wicket-less in that match, the experience marked the beginning of his successful T20 career. Over the years, Bhuvneshwar has emerged as one of the most consistent and successful seamers in T20 cricket, renowned for his swing and precision. Now, with a standout performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) and a lucrative IPL deal, Bhuvneshwar is widely regarded as one of the most reliable pacers in Indian cricket, with a reputation that has only grown stronger with time. His return to RCB is a testament to his immense talent and resilience as a cricketer.
“Honestly, it feels great to be back in RCB. It's not new for me in terms of the environment because I know most of the guys. But of course, there are new guys, I'll meet them. We'll have a chat and we'll play alongside for three months now,” Bhuvneshwar added, reflecting on how familiar he is with the franchise’s culture and environment. He is eager to meet the new players in the squad, bond with them, and work together as a team for the upcoming season. His return adds a wealth of experience and a calm, composed presence to RCB's fast-bowling unit.
As Bhuvneshwar looks ahead to the IPL 2025 season, he expressed his confidence in the strength and depth of the team’s bowling attack. “If you look at the bowling attack, I think RCB management has covered all the bases. Experience, skill-wise, pace, bounce, whatever that is. I think they've covered all the bases,” he said, praising the balance and versatility of the team’s seam and spin resources. His comments point to the fact that RCB has one of the most well-rounded bowling units in the league, with a blend of experience, youth, and all-rounder capabilities. This gives them a competitive edge as they look to go all the way in the IPL 2025 season.
Bhuvneshwar's addition to RCB is likely to have a huge impact on the team's performance. His ability to swing the ball in all conditions, combined with his vast experience in the IPL and international cricket, will provide RCB with crucial options in their fast-bowling department. With the likes of Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, and Glenn Maxwell already in the batting line-up, Bhuvneshwar’s arrival further strengthens the team’s overall composition and their hopes of winning the IPL trophy. Fans of RCB, as well as cricket enthusiasts, are eagerly anticipating how this seasoned pacer will help the team in their pursuit of IPL glory.
