Team India veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar has revealed an interesting story about his move to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the IPL 2025 auction. The experienced pacer was bought by the franchise for ₹10.75 crore, beginning a successful chapter that eventually saw him become part of RCB’s back-to-back IPL title-winning campaigns.
Bhuvneshwar recalled that he was leading Uttar Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) when his name came up at the auction. He managed to watch the bidding initially, with Mumbai Indians (MI) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) among the teams showing interest. However, he had to leave when the bidding reached around ₹5-6 crore because his match was about to begin.
The veteran pacer only discovered that RCB had secured his services after the game had started. The news came as a surprise, but Bhuvneshwar was delighted to join one of the IPL’s most passionate fanbases.
“When my name came up, the SMAT was going on, and I was captaining UP. We were just getting into the ground, and our video analyst was watching the auction. I saw it, and I remember MI and LSG started bidding. When it went to 5 or 6 crores [the umpires started walking], I had to go. omeone came in after a few overs and told me that RCB picked me. I was a bit surprised. But I got messages from the team, and I was happy to be part of a team with such a big fanbase,” he said on a podcast with Jatin Sapru.
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Bhuvneshwar also discussed his first interaction with RCB’s support staff. According to the pacer, the team had a clear desire to win but maintained a relaxed approach instead of allowing pressure to dominate the campaign. “When I met the staff, everyone wanted to win, but they had a simple philosophy: if we win, it would be great but if not, it’s just one more year. They were excited, prepared, but relaxed.”
That approach worked brilliantly in IPL 2025, with Bhuvneshwar making a significant contribution to RCB’s maiden IPL title. He finished the season with 17 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 28.41 and an economy rate of 9.28.
Ashish Nehra was literally laughing when RCB bought Bhuvneshwar Kumar at the auction.
Now Bhuvi is out there making batters laugh at their own stumps. pic.twitter.com/58DFQZuIax
— The Bat (@Wrathofgotham) May 27, 2026
The pacer also revealed that former Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) head coach Daniel Vettori had told him that several franchises were interested in signing him. SRH wanted to retain him but could not complete the deal because of their budget and auction dynamics. “I had no idea. But when the auction happened on the first day and SRH could not take me, I was told by Daniel Vettori that a few teams were waiting for me.”
Bhuvneshwar had spent 11 seasons with SRH after being released following the 2024 campaign. He was an important part of their 2016 title-winning side. The 36-year-old also offered a strong opinion on the IPL auction system, saying the uncertainty can create significant mental pressure for players, particularly those waiting to find out whether they will be selected.
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“The auction system is a mental toll on players, big time. Youngsters just want to get sold… If I had the option, I would remove the auction. It is not right for the players’ mentality.”
Bhuvneshwar’s RCB journey continued in IPL 2026 after being retained by the franchise. He played another crucial role in their successful title defence, taking 28 wickets in 16 matches at an impressive average of 17.89 and an economy rate of 7.95.
