Bhuvneshwar Kumar couldn’t have asked for a more emotional turnaround. After years of heartbreak and close misses, Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally clinched their maiden IPL title on June 3—and Bhuvneshwar made sure the moment belonged to the fans. The seasoned pacer dedicated the long-awaited triumph to RCB’s fiercely loyal supporters, who stood by the team through thick and thin.
“It means the world. This win isn’t just ours—it belongs to every fan who’s waited 17 years, who never stopped believing,” Bhuvneshwar Kumar said in a post-match interview shared by the franchise. “So many prayers, so much support, and finally, here we are. This is also for all the former RCB players—AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, and others—who helped build this legacy.”
In a video posted by RCB’s official Instagram handle, Bhuvneshwar acknowledged how the unwavering fan support kept the team going during tough times, motivating them to break the 18-year jinx.
ALSO READ: KSCA Officials Move Karnataka High Court Seeking Quashing of FIR in Bengaluru Stampede Case
Having been released by Sunrisers Hyderabad after a forgettable IPL 2024 campaign, Bhuvneshwar’s future appeared uncertain. But RCB saw value in the veteran’s experience, investing ₹10.75 crore to bring him into their setup—a move that would pay off handsomely.
View this post on Instagram
Renowned for his swing in the powerplay and calmness at the death, Bhuvneshwar formed a formidable partnership with Josh Hazlewood. While Hazlewood grabbed the spotlight with 22 wickets, Bhuvneshwar quietly did his job, claiming 17 scalps in 14 games. His most impactful performance came in the final, where he dismissed dangerous PBKS batters Nahel Wadhera and Marcus Stoinis, swinging the game RCB’s way.
ALSO READ: Scott Boland Feels Pain-Free After 18 Months, Eyes WTC Final Spot at Lord’s
Those two breakthroughs proved decisive as PBKS, chasing 191, fell agonisingly short by just six runs. It echoed his key role in Qualifier 1, where he took out the in-form Prabhsimran Singh early, derailing Punjab’s chase.
With 190 IPL wickets and two Purple Caps (2016, 2017) to his name, Bhuvneshwar once again proved that class is permanent. His redemption story in RCB colours was not only a personal milestone but a long-overdue reward for a fanbase that never stopped dreaming.
