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Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed two PBKS batters in IPL 2025 final. (Picture Credit: Sportzpics)
Bhuvneshwar Kumar dedicated Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s maiden title victory on Tuesday, June 3, to the franchise’s loyal supporters, who never gave up on them despite years of heartbreak in the Indian Premier League. The experienced RCB seamer saluted the team’s emotional fanbase that kept filling the stands and sent prayers for the team’s success.
Bhuvneshwar also made a point to remember former RCB stars, including legends AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle, for their contributions.
“It means a lot. Everyone had been waiting for this moment for 17 years. With such a massive fanbase and so many prayers behind us, it’s a perfect moment for us, for all the former RCB players, and everyone who’s been a part of this journey,” said the veteran quickly in a post-match interaction with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
In a video posted by the franchise, Bhuvneshwar hailed the fans for acting as a motivation to end the painstaking 18-year trophy drought.
Released by his former franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad, Bhuvneshwar saw uncertainty ahead of him as his disappointing performances in IPL 2024 pulled the Indian seamer’s stocks drastically. But his fortunes changed at the pre-season auction where RCB showed faith in the ageing IPL great with a bid of 10.75 crores.
Known for his new-ball swing and death-overs expertise, Bhuvneshwar emerged as a dark horse in RCB’s attack, taking 17 wickets in 14 matches and forming a great bowling duo with spearhead Josh Hazlewood. While Hazlewood got the accolades for picking 22 scalps in RCB’s inspiring run, Bhuvneshwar once again played an underrated role, including in the final, where he took two crucial wickets of Punjab Kings batters Nahel Wadhera and Marcus Stoinis.
The twin strikes curtailed the wings of a power-packed PBKS line-up that fell six runs short of ultimate glory after RCB had posted an imposing 190/9 in the high-pressure finale. Bhuvneshwar had played a similar role in Qualifier 1 versus the same opponent, dismissing in-form opener Prabhsimran Singh early to dismantle PBKS’ plans. The 2016 and 2017 Purple Cap winner has a career IPL tally of 190 wickets to his name with an economy rate of only 7.69.
