IPL 2025 Auction: Did you know Bhuvneshwar Kumar was once part of RCB?

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were among the few teams that went for a near-full rebuild ahead of the IPL 2025 auction with the retentions of only Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal. Yet, as part of a massive step to address their constant Achilles heel of quality pace bowling, the franchise bought veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar for ₹10.75 crore on Day 2.

While RCB fans celebrated his acquisition, many remained unaware that Bhuvneshwar was part of the franchise long ago. Incidentally, his first IPL franchise was RCB for two years in 2009 and 2010.

Yet, Bhuvneshwar did not play a single IPL game for them in both seasons, the first of which saw them qualify for their first-ever final.

Nevertheless, the champion pacer played for RCB in a lone match during the now-defunct Champions League T20 tournament in 2009. In what was Bhuvneshwar's only appearance in the playing XI for the franchise, they played the Delhi Daredevils in their final league stage game of the inaugural Champions League T20.

The now-34-year-old bowled four overs and conceded 31 runs without a wicket as Delhi scored 138/6 in 20 overs. RCB chased the score down comfortably, winning by eight wickets in only the 16th over in Bhuvaneshwar's lone game for them over 15 years back.

"He’s exactly what RCB needs" - Robin Uthappa on Bhuvneshwar Kumar's buy

Former Indian and RCB batter Robin Uthappa felt Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the ideal pick for RCB, thanks to his ability to master the Chinnaswamy track.

The veteran pacer is a two-time Purple Cap winner in 2016 and 2017 and is fourth all-time in IPL wickets with 181.

Speaking to Star Sports as quoted by News18, Uthappa said:

"Great buy! I think, along with Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvi at the top makes the bowling order really good. For RCB and in those conditions, he’s someone who has been super successful. He has had a lot of success there, and he’s exactly what RCB needs. So, the ₹10.75 crore seems to be shaping up really well, and now they just need to get their backup player."

He added:

"I remember talking about this during the game where Chris Gayle scored 175 against us when I was playing for Pune Warriors. Bhuvi was the only bowler that day who went for 24 runs in his four overs while everyone else went for plenty."

Bhuvneshwar had been part of SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) for over a decade from 2014 to 2024, helping win the title in 2016.

The 34-year-old struggled last season with the ball, finishing with only 11 wickets from 16 outings at an average of over 48 and an economy of 9.35.