Raipur: One night in December 2012, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, a young Uttar Pradesh pacer announced his arrival in international cricket after making a dream debut in a T20I against Pakistan. Swing the new ball with excellent control, Bhuvneshwar Kumar Returns the number 3/9. More than 13 years later, in a format that has tilted further towards the batsmen, Bhuvneshwar remains not only influential but one of the most effective players, as he was in intense pulsed light this season. Once a young swing bowling prospect, he has become a study in craftsmanship, discipline and constant innovation.The 36-year-old has taken 21 wickets in 11 games and tops the IPL wicket-taking charts this season, an important mark as the 200-plus total no longer feels safe and bowlers are challenged every over. For Bhuvneshwar, survival in modern T20 cricket comes down to one thing: constant evolution.
“My technique and the psychology of the game have changed a lot. What has also changed is accepting situations quickly. The way batsmen attack you now is very different from 10 years ago. Accepting things quickly may help me,” the 36-year-old said.Such adaptability has become crucial in today’s tournament, which bears little resemblance to the early years of the IPL. Batsmen now attack from ball one, unconventional batting has become the norm and even good deliveries often disappear into the stands.“Five years ago, if you scored 40, I used to think it was a bad day,” admitted Bhuvneshwar, who took 4/23 against MI on Sunday and hit a crucial six in the final over. “Now, if you hit 40, I think that’s a good bowling! Earlier, 200 felt like a winning score. Now, when teams chase 200 points, it feels like ‘just 200 points’,” he said.Despite the changing demands, Bhuvneshwar remains one of the most dependable fast bowlers in the league, be it in the powerplay or in the death. The former India pacer, who has not played an international match since November 2022, insists there is no magic formula behind his longevity. Instead, he credits discipline and consistency with helping him stay ahead.“Motivation is overrated,” he said. “It’s discipline. You’re tired, you don’t want to go, but you still have to go. That consistency – doing things day in and day out – also keeps you consistent on the court.” However, age brings physical challenges. “When you’re younger, it takes less time to recover than it does at this age,” he said. “Physically it’s more difficult, but mentally it gets easier because you’re mature and experienced. You understand your game better. “Even as the younger generation of fearless batsmen continue to redefine T20 cricket, Bhuvneshwar believes the bowlers will continue to find ways to cope. “The batsmen did something and then the bowlers evolved. That’s how cricket has always worked,” he said.Bhuvneshwar’s RCB journey has also come to a successful end. He was part of the team’s formation as a young domestic cricketer in 2009 and 2010 before returning in 2025 as one of the most experienced pacers in the country. “Everything changed for me,” he said. “Back then, I was a domestic player. When I first came into the team, I just saw the glamorous side of it. Seeing the other players, the overseas players, I was nervous. But things have changed a lot now because a big part of being in the team now is being a senior player.“
