Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the first pacer to take 200 wickets in IPL.
Kumar, who made his IPL debut in 2011 for Pune Warriors India, has played 199 games and has 215 wickets to his name at an economy of 7.68 and best bowling figures of 5/19. He has won the Purple Cap for most wickets two times in 2016 and 2017.
Bhuvneshwar has also won the IPL in 2016 with Sunrisers Hyderabad and then in 2025 with Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Kohli, Josh Hazlewood, and head coach Andy Flower were among the RCB members who honored the seasoned fast bowler ahead of the momentous occasion.
Bhuvneshwar's ability to sustain high standards for such a long time was commended by Kohli, who called him one of the best pacers in IPL history.
“It’s a huge achievement to play 200 IPL games, especially as a fast bowler. That speaks volumes about his longevity and consistency. He has played so much cricket across formats and has remained successful throughout.
The thing that has always stood out about Bhuvi is his understanding of the game and his cricket intelligence. He is definitely among the top three pacers in IPL history. When you look at his economy rate, the wickets he has taken, and the number of dot balls he delivers every match, it is truly remarkable. He is someone you can rely on under pressure every single time,” Kohli said in a video shared by RCB on X.
Bhuvneshwar's remarkable skill set and tactical knowledge, especially his ability to swing the ball and swiftly assess match conditions, were again commended by Hazlewood.
“I think his skill set is second to none. His swing bowling is of the highest quality. The lengths he consistently hits, his ability to move the ball both ways, and the way he reads the game are outstanding.
For someone who bowls the opening over almost every game, his communication and understanding of conditions are extremely important. Reaching 200 IPL matches is a special achievement. You are probably the first fast bowler to reach this milestone and also the leading wicket-taker among pacers. You’ve achieved almost everything possible in this tournament,” he added.
RCB Coach Flower described Bhuvneshwar as a master of his craft.
"It's an absolute privilege to watch him do his thing. It's a bit like watching Virat bat and watching Bhuvi bowl. They're masters at what they do. On your 200th, congratulations on the way that you've operated as a man and as a player over all these years," Flower said.
RCB is third on the IPL 2026 points table with 12 points from 9 games, while LSG is at the 19th spot with 4 points from 9 games.