Bhuvneshwar Kumar is rolling back all those years of swing and purple caps from the last decade. Once the highest wicket-taker for India in T20Is, Bhuvneshwar Kumar lost the selectors' faith in November 2022. This was when he played his last international game.

But the man did not stop there; he kept coming, and in the next IPL season, he picked up 16 wickets for SRH, including a 5-fer. But it seemed fate was not with him as his form declined, and after a poor 2024 season, he was overlooked for selection in the 2024 T20 WC.

Later that year, he was picked by RCB, who, under the new coaching staff and management, believed in his experience and numbers. And he has paid back to the franchise well. He became part of RCB's first-ever IPL title win and, alongside Krunal Pandya, was the 2nd highest wicket taker in the campaign.

But this year, he has taken his game to a further level. He is the purple cap holder at the moment with 21 wickets and an ER of 7.46. In a season where the bowlers are going for 9-10 an over, he is still under 7.50. This is now his fourth season in which he has taken 20 or more wickets. In the process, he has equalled Jasprit Bumrah and Lasith Malinga, who have also taken 20 or more wickets four times. Only Yuzvendra Chahal has done it more times (5).

Bhuvnehwar Kumar is also among the three bowlers to have 200 or more IPL wickets. He is the only pacer to do so, with two others being Chahal and Narine.

Whether he will be able to make his way back into Indian colours, only time will tell. But for now, let's enjoy the swing and death bowling mastery of this artist who is taking us through the memory lane.

photo credit: BCCI