Bhuvneshwar Kumar: The Swing King of Indian Cricket - Career, Teams, and 5 Most Memorable Moments
**Let's Begin**
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is one of India’s most accomplished fast bowlers, famous for his immaculate swing bowling, death-over efficiency, and cool manner under pressure. Over the years, he has been a significant asset for the Indian cricket team and his Indian Premier League (IPL) side, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
In this article, we’ll explore: - Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s career highlights - The teams he has represented - The amount of players in his current IPL squad (SRH)
- **5 most startling and unforgettable moments** from his career
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## **Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s Cricket Career: A Brief Overview** Born on **February 5, 1990**, in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar made his international debut in **2012** against Pakistan, where he notably dismissed Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed with his signature swing.
### **Teams Represented:** - **International:** India (Tests, ODIs, T20Is) - **Domestic:** Uttar Pradesh - **IPL:** Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Pune Warriors India (previously)
### **Current IPL Team: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)**
Sunrisers Hyderabad has a squad of **25 players** in the **2024 IPL season**, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar being one of their important bowlers. He has been with SRH since **2014** and has played a significant part in their **2016 IPL title win**.
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## **5 Most Memorable & Shocking Moments in Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s Career**
### **1. Dream Debut versus Pakistan (2012) - The Swing Sensation Arrives** **Match:** India vs Pakistan, 1st T20I (Bangalore) **Date:** December 25, 2012
Bhuvneshwar established himself in international cricket with a **stunning spell** against Pakistan. Bowling his first over in T20Is, he **swung the ball viciously** to remove **Mohammad Hafeez (golden duck) and Nasir Jamshed** in his first two overs.
- **Hafeez’s wicket:** A superb inswinger that slammed into the stumps.
- **Jamshed’s wicket:** A magnificent outswinger, edged to the keeper.
This performance made him an immediate sensation, displaying his ability to challenge even the greatest batters with his swing.
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### **2. The Magical Spell versus Sri Lanka (2017) – 5-Wicket Haul in Tests** **Match:** India vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test (Eden Gardens) **Date:** November 16-20, 2017
Bhuvneshwar was largely viewed as a white-ball specialist, but in this Test, he silenced detractors with a **fiery 5-wicket haul (5/68)**.
- **Key wickets:** Dimuth Karunaratne, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews, Suranga Lakmal, and Dasun Shanaka.
- **Memorable moment:** His **lethal inswinger to reject Mathews** left fans and experts in amazement.
This performance established his spot as India’s **multi-format bowler**.
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### **3. The 19th Over versus MI (2016 IPL Final) – Defending 8 Runs** ** Match:** SRH versus MI, IPL 2016 Final ** Date:** May 29, 2016
Sunrisers Hyderabad set a target of **209**, but Mumbai Indians needed just **8 runs in the last over** with **Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya** at the crease.
- **Bhuvneshwar’s over:** 2, 1, W (Pandya), 1, 1, 1 – **Only 7 runs conceded! ** - **Result:** SRH triumphed by **8 runs**, clinching their **first IPL title**.
This remains one of the **greatest death-over performances** in IPL history.
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### **4. The Yorker That Dismissed AB de Villiers (2014 IPL)** **Match:** SRH versus RCB, IPL 2014 **Date:** May 4, 2014
AB de Villiers was in **destructive form**, but Bhuvneshwar unleashed a **unplayable yorker** that smashed his stumps.
- **Ball:** A **perfect toe-crusher** at **140 km/h**, leaving ABD shocked.
- **Impact:** This wicket shifted the match in SRH’s favor, demonstrating Bhuvi’s **death-bowling mastery**.
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### **5. The Shocking No-Ball in 2023 IPL – Heartbreak against RCB ** **Match:** SRH against RCB, IPL 2023 **Date:** May 18, 2023
In a **must-win game**, Bhuvneshwar **defended 7 runs in the last over** but **overstepped on the last ball**, allowing RCB a **free hit**.
- **Glenn Maxwell** hammered the **free-hit for six**, culminating to a **super-over defeat** for SRH.
- **Fans’ reaction:** Heartbreak for SRH followers, as this no-ball cost them a playoff position.
This moment remains one of the **most shocking** in his career.
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## **Conclusion: Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s Legacy** From **swinging the new ball** to **mastering death overs**, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been a **match-winner** for India and SRH. While injuries have slowed him down in recent years, his **skill, poise, and ability to execute in key moments** make him one of India’s top bowlers.
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