Bhuvi has a skill of understanding - Ian Bishop on RCB pace ace's primary weapon

IPL 2026 saw Bhuvneshwar Kumar rewrite bowling records and scale new heights, forming a pivotal part of RCB's bowling unit. In a season that saw scores north of 200 become the norm, Bhuvi claimed 28 wickets at a strike rate of 12.35 and an average of 17.89.

He also became only the second-ever bowler to enter the 200-wicket club in IPL history, and picked up 17 wickets in the powerplay, level with Mohammed Shami.

Speaking on the Big Basket presents RCB Podcast, Ian Bishop opened up on the impact Bhuvneshwar Kumar had on RCB's title run, while also lauding Josh Hazlewood's incredible numbers.

Bishop broke down what makes Bhuvi an unplayable bowler despite his fairly medium pace, and revealed the capacity in which he'd love to see Bhuvi feature alongside India's other greats in the future.

Bishop said, "Bhuvneshwar, not only him but for Josh Hazelwood as well, they deserved the plaudits. Josh Hazlewood was integral in that championship run in 2025."

Highlighting the finesse of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Bishop added, "It was Bhuvi's ability to stay fit, and he's a fast bowler. I'm gonna put it like and say fastest maybe in a slow bowler we've seen. Because his speeds normal, man, he was never quick, but he wouldn't see a scary face, and that in itself is more astounding, because we see Bumrah taking on the fastest, and the fastest can make you wither in the pads."

Continuing further, Bishy said, "But Bhuvi has a skill of understanding through experience of when to bowl a slow ball, when does he bowl his yorker, when does he bowl length, and he reminded us that test match lengths are still, as you put it, a thing."

Explaining the conditions that unleash the absolute beast in Bhuvneshwar, Bishop said, "And I appreciate that from the beginning, especially when there's a little something in the pitches. The bowlers are in big time. So, look, I think Bhuvi, he will be a great teacher. I've often tried to pick his brain outside of, behind the camera. And I haven't succeeded yet in getting out of him what I want."

Decoding the blueprint of Bhuvi's dominance, Bishy stated, "But I think understanding when to bowl length, when to take the pace off, because you come to a point in your career, and the principle moves on Test cricket, which we played, with T20 cricket, you're just running in and you get a sense that a batsman is going to do this because of your experience. And I can see that in Bhuvi. He may not see a trigger, but he gets a feeling because of the situation of the game, that this skill, he's going to try to do this, I'm going to shift my line here."

He concluded by revealing his wish to see the Indian greats teach together, adding, "The Jos Buttler wicket, I think, was one where he bowled just around his legs from the information that he processes. And I wish guys like him and Jasprit and Shami, whoever, obviously Jasprit, and Shami is brilliant, would be put in a position where they can formally teach the next generation coming through. They do it informally, but formally, the next generation on, not only for Indian cricket, but for world cricket."