Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pace spearhead, etched his name deeper into the record books after his sensational performance with the ball in a thrilling IPL 2026 clash against Mumbai Indians (MI) at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur on Sunday, May 10.
The 36-year-old Bhuvneshwar delivered a masterclass in swing bowling, finishing with remarkable figures of 4/23 in his four overs, restricting MI to 166/7 and powering RCB to a thrilling 2-wicket victory.
A Spell For The Ages
Bhuvneshwar Kumar set the tone early with the new ball. He dismissed opener Ryan Rickelton in the first over, then struck twice in his second over to remove Rohit Sharma (via a clever knuckleball) and Suryakumar Yadav for a duck. MI slumped to 28/3 inside the powerplay.
The veteran pacer returned in the 18th over to trap Tilak Varma (57) and complete his four-wicket haul, finishing with an economy of 5.75. This was Bhuvneshwar’s third four-wicket haul in IPL history and his standout moment in a season where he has already crossed several milestones.
Historic Achievement
At 36 years and 94 days old, Bhuvneshwar became the second-oldest pacer in IPL history to register a four-wicket haul. The only fast bowler older than him to achieve this feat was Australian legend Glenn McGrath, who did it 18 years ago after turning 36.
Player Age Figures Team Opposition Year
Glenn McGrath 38 years 81 days 4/29 Delhi RCB 2008
Bhuvneshwar Kumar 36 years 94 days 4/23 RCB MI 2026
Ashish Nehra 35 years 358 days 4/10 CSK RCB 2015
A Season of Milestones For Swing King
Bhuvneshwar’s heroics come on the back of an already stellar 2026 campaign. Earlier, he became the first pacer and only the second bowler overall after Yuzvendra Chahal to reach 200 IPL wickets. He also became the first fast bowler to play 200 IPL matches.
With 21 wickets in the IPL 2026 season so far, he has led the wicket-taking charts at various points and continues to defy age with his signature away-swing and clever variations.
With RCB pushing for a top-four finish, Bhuvneshwar’s resurgence as a primary wicket-taker provides the defending champions with the tactical edge they need heading into the IPL 2026 playoffs.
Lineup For RCB vs MI IPL 2026 Clash
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Playing XI: Virat Kohli, Jacob Bethell, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Salam Dar
Mumbai Indians Playing XI: Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Naman Dhir, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Will Jacks, Raj Bawa, Corbin Bosch, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, AM Ghazanfar
RCB Impact substitutes: Devdutt Padikkal, Jordan Cox, Mangesh Yadav, Suyash Sharma, Venkatesh Iyer
MI Impact substitutes: Raghu Sharma, Mayank Rawat, Robin Minz, Shardul Thakur, Trent Boult
