Bhuvneshwar Kumar Singh, born on February 5, 1990, in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India, is a right-arm medium-fast bowler known for his ability to swing the ball both ways. He has been a key player for the Indian national cricket team across all formats and has also made significant contributions in the Indian Premier League (IPL), playing for teams like the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Kumar’s prowess in swinging the ball, especially under conditions conducive to seam bowling, and his skillful death bowling have established him as one of the premier fast bowlers in international cricket.
Biography
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s cricket journey began in Meerut, a city with a rich cricketing culture. His talent was evident from a young age, leading him to represent Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket. Kumar made headlines early in his career by dismissing Sachin Tendulkar for a duck in domestic cricket, showcasing his potential against top-quality batsmen.
He made his international debut for India in December 2012 in a T20 International against Pakistan and quickly made an impact by taking a wicket in his first over. Kumar’s ability to swing the ball was immediately recognized as a valuable asset for the Indian team, especially in conditions favorable to seam bowling.
Kumar has been part of many memorable victories for India, including key performances in the ICC Champions Trophy 2013, where India emerged as champions. His versatility allows him to be effective in all phases of the game, making him a crucial player in India’s bowling lineup.
Sporting Achievements
- International Cricket: Bhuvneshwar Kumar has achieved significant milestones in international cricket, including a five-wicket haul in his debut Test match against Australia in 2013. He has been a consistent wicket-taker for India in ODIs and T20Is, utilizing his ability to swing the ball.
- Indian Premier League (IPL): In the IPL, Kumar has been a standout performer for the Sunrisers Hyderabad, winning the Purple Cap for being the tournament’s leading wicket-taker in consecutive seasons (2016 and 2017). His performances have been instrumental in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s success, including their IPL championship win in 2016.
- Domestic Cricket: Representing Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket, Kumar has delivered numerous match-winning performances, contributing significantly with both bat and ball.
- Awards and Recognition: Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s contributions to Indian cricket have been recognized with several awards, including the ICC Cricket Awards and the Arjuna Award, one of India’s highest sporting honors.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s journey from playing cricket in the alleys of Meerut to becoming a key figure in the Indian cricket team underscores his dedication, skill, and impact on the game. His ability to swing the ball, combined with his death bowling skills, continues to make him a valuable player for India across formats.
Player Stats
Bowling
| FORMAT | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
| Tests | 21 | 37 | 3348 | 1644 | 63 | 6/82 | 8/96 | 26.09 | 2.94 | 53.1 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| ODIs | 121 | 120 | 5847 | 4951 | 141 | 5/42 | 5/42 | 35.11 | 05.08 | 41.4 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| T20Is | 87 | 86 | 1791 | 2079 | 90 | 5/4 | 5/4 | 23.10 | 6.96 | 19.9 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| FC | 72 | 126 | 12766 | 5961 | 231 | 8/41 | 9/103 | 25.80 | 2.80 | 55.2 | 9 | 13 | 0 |
| List A | 173 | 170 | 8369 | 6769 | 219 | 5/42 | 5/42 | 30.90 | 4.85 | 38.2 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| T20s | 270 | 269 | 5864 | 7019 | 288 | 5/4 | 5/4 | 24.37 | 7.18 | 20.3 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
Batting & Fielding
| FORMAT | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
| Tests | 21 | 29 | 4 | 552 | 63* | 22.08 | 1225 | 45.06 | 0 | 3 | 77 | 1 | 8 | 0 |
| ODIs | 121 | 55 | 16 | 552 | 53* | 14.15 | 747 | 73.89 | 0 | 1 | 46 | 8 | 29 | 0 |
| T20Is | 87 | 21 | 13 | 67 | 16 | 8.37 | 94 | 71.27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| FC | 72 | 104 | 11 | 2445 | 128 | 26.29 | 5718 | 42.75 | 1 | 14 | 315 | 8 | 18 | 0 |
| List A | 173 | 94 | 34 | 1223 | 72 | 20.38 | – | – | 0 | 3 | – | – | 42 | 0 |
| T20s | 270 | 94 | 51 | 447 | 27 | 10.39 | 481 | 92.93 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 7 | 55 | 0 |
