183 Wickets and Counting: Bhuvneshwar Kumar Joins Bravo in IPL History Books
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has carved his name into IPL history, equaling Dwayne Bravo’s tally of 183 wickets to become the joint-highest wicket-taking pacer in the tournament’s 18-year legacy. The 35-year-old Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) seamer achieved this milestone during Match 14 of IPL 2025 against Gujarat Titans (GT) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday, April 2. With this feat, Bhuvneshwar now stands third among Indian bowlers in the IPL’s all-time wicket-takers list, trailing only Yuzvendra Chahal (206) and Piyush Chawla (192), and level with Bravo as the top fast bowler.
The Milestone Moment
Entering the GT clash just one scalp shy of Bravo’s mark, Bhuvneshwar didn’t have to wait long to etch his name in the record books. In his second over, he dismissed GT captain Shubman Gill for 14 off 14 balls. Bowling a classic outswinger, Bhuvneshwar lured Gill into a loose drive, and the edge flew to Virat Kohli at first slip, who made no mistake. The wicket sparked muted celebrations from Bhuvneshwar—known for his understated demeanor—but the Chinnaswamy crowd roared in appreciation of the veteran’s milestone.
This strike took Bhuvneshwar to 183 wickets in 169 IPL matches, matching Bravo’s haul from 161 games. While Bravo’s record includes a flair for death-over heroics, Bhuvneshwar’s consistency—built on swing, accuracy, and new-ball mastery—has now earned him parity as the IPL’s most prolific pacer.
RCB’s First Stumble of IPL 2025
Despite Bhuvneshwar’s landmark moment, RCB couldn’t capitalize, suffering their first defeat of the season. Batting first, RCB stumbled early, losing Rajat Patidar (12) and Faf du Plessis (19) inside the powerplay. Liam Livingstone’s fighting 54 off 37 balls, laced with four fours and three sixes, propped up the innings, but a lack of support left them at a modest 169/7. Bhuvneshwar’s 1/32 in four overs kept GT in check early, but it wasn’t enough to stem the tide.
GT’s chase was a masterclass in controlled aggression. Sai Sudharsan (49 off 36) anchored the innings with elegant strokeplay, while Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 73 off 39—featuring eight fours and three sixes—blew RCB away. Sherfane Rutherford’s rapid 30* off 18 sealed the deal, as GT cruised to 170/2 in 17.5 overs, winning by eight wickets. The Chinnaswamy faithful, usually a sea of red, were silenced by GT’s clinical display.
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Bhuvneshwar’s IPL Journey
Bhuvneshwar’s ascent to 183 wickets is a testament to his longevity and skill. Debuting in 2011 with Pune Warriors India, he rose to prominence with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), where he won the Purple Cap in 2016 and 2017 consecutively, snaring 23 and 26 wickets. His knack for swinging the new ball and delivering pinpoint yorkers in the death overs has made him a T20 stalwart. Joining RCB for IPL 2025 at INR 10.25 crores, Bhuvneshwar has added veteran nous to a pace attack featuring Mohammed Siraj and Josh Hazlewood.
- Matches Played: 169
- Wickets: 183
- Average: 26.54
- Economy: 7.42
- Best Figures: 5/19 (vs KXIP, 2017)
Leveling Bravo—who retired with a strike rate of 17.2 compared to Bhuvneshwar’s 21.5—marks a pinnacle for the Meerut-born pacer, whose understated brilliance often flies under the radar.
RCB’s Reflection and Road Ahead
RCB captain Rajat Patidar, standing in for Faf du Plessis, admitted the shortfall: “We were 20-30 runs short. The middle order stepped up, which is a positive, but we couldn’t defend it.” Livingstone’s knock, supported by Glenn Maxwell’s 22 off 15, showed resilience, but GT’s batting firepower proved too much. Patidar remained optimistic, noting that reliance on the top order alone isn’t sustainable—a lesson RCB will carry into their next outing.
GT’s Statement Win
For GT, the victory was a statement of intent. After a loss to Punjab Kings, they’ve now won two of three games, with Buttler’s form and Sudharsan’s composure signaling a balanced unit. Bhuvneshwar’s early strike couldn’t derail their chase, as Rutherford’s late blitz ensured a comfortable finish. GT’s eight-wicket triumph over an unbeaten RCB side at Chinnaswamy is a warning to the league.
Conclusion
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s climb to 183 IPL wickets, matching Dwayne Bravo, is a milestone of consistency and craft, cementing his legacy as one of the IPL’s finest pacers. Though RCB couldn’t celebrate with a win, his achievement lit up an otherwise tough night for the hosts. As GT walked away with the points, Bhuvneshwar’s record-equaling feat stood out—a quiet reminder of his enduring impact in the IPL’s fast-evolving landscape.
