Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif feels that disgraced Indian player Bhuvneshwar Kumar was not treated properly in the Indian team. He was unfairly left out of the Indian team despite his stellar performances in the domestic matches as well as the IPL.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won their maiden title in IPL 2025, with Rajat Patidar leading them for the first time in a full season. They have brought several new players to their side, especially in the bowling department.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Krunal Pandya and Yash Dayal seemed surprising options for RCB; however, before the mini-auction, they are unlikely to get Yash Dayal.
Your daily dose of cricket!
‘Bhuvneshwar Kumar was treated unfairly in the Indian team’ – RCB star Mohammad Kaif
Former RCB cricketer Mohammad Kaif feels that veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar was not treated properly by the Indian selectors. He further felt that the bowler was unfairly let down despite his excellent long-term record.
“According to me, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was treated unfairly in the Indian team. He was left out very early. Look at him now too, he came to RCB and they became champions. He also contributed there. Questions were raised about his fitness,” Kaif said during a live session on his YouTube channel.
Bhuvneshwar was in high demand during the IPL 2025 mega-auction and was signed for a whopping sum of INR 10.75 crores. He then became RCB’s third highest wicket-taker in the edition and took 17 wickets in 14 innings.
“I think if he gets a chance to play, he will always pick up wickets,” Mohammad Kaif said.
The 35-year-old Indian pacer has remained absent from the Indian national team since 2022, as it remains clear that he may not be seen further in a recent development if he gets more opportunities at the highest level of the game.
“A fast bowler will face injuries at some point in his career. That’s the time when you have to support him. However, they moved on from Bhuvneshwar Kumar very quickly. India still doesn’t have a replacement for Bhuvneshwar Kumar,” he added.
He also said that the seasoned Indian star would continue to play for RCB for many years to come.
“I think if he gets a chance to play, he will always pick up wickets. He doesn’t want to play test matches because of his body and has focused on white-ball cricket. He will play a lot of white-ball cricket. He is coming off his best year, where he played a role in RCB’s victory,” the former RCB batter said.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar IPL Stats
Bhuvneshwar Kumar made his debut in the IPL in 2011, as he started playing for Pune Warriors India, when he was thrust into the limelight. He took 13, 20 and 18 wickets between 2013 and 2015.
He was part of SRH’s title-winning campaign in IPL 2016, where he finished with a purple cap and 23 wickets in 17 matches. The following season, he came back stronger with 26 wickets in 14 matches.
Moving from SRH to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he picked 17 wickets in the season, making a strong comeback and knocking on the doorstep of 200 wickets in the IPL. He would be the first leader to reach this milestone.
ALSO READ: Mohammed Shami declared finished leader by former SRH coach
