Former India cricketer-turned-commentator Virender Sehwag said that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be cursing Devdut Padikkal for losing his wicket to his Purple Cap race to another pacer, Kagiso Rabada, in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 final. However, Rabada clinched the award for the second time in his career after ending the season with a record 29 wickets in 17 matches at an average of 21.58 as well.
“Who got out to Kagiso Rabada today? Devdutt Padikkal? Bhuvi will be abusing him the most today. If he had not got out to him, then Bhuvi would have got the Purple cap. My take is that, if you are picking Bhuvi for the Indian team, then you will be setting an example that even if you are out of the side, you will get a chance to make a comeback irrespective of your age, if the performances are there. There is nothing bad in that. I am not saying that he should play the next World Cup, but atleast play him in the next 10 T20Is, and if he performs, then keep him, otherwise, drop him,” he said on Cricbuzz.
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However, Bhuvneshwar Kumar finished the IPL 2026 as the leading wicket-taker among Indian players, with 28 wickets in 16 matches. Had Kagiso Rabada remained wicket-less, Kumar would have won the Purple Cap due to his superior economy rate of 7,95 as well. And former India batter Manoj Tiwary said that it is difficult for veterans to make a return to the Indian setup, especially once the selectors have moved on to other players as well.
“What happens in your country is that there is always talk of transition and building teams for the next 4-5 years. But my opinion is that whoever is playing well, and is fit, the team should use him at that time and make the most of it to win trophies. But now that he has lost his place in the team at this age, and wins the Purple Cap, but don’t remain in Team India’s talent pool, then it becomes quite difficult to make a comeback. But gold is gold,” Manoj Tiwary said.
