Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s Absence and RCB’s Early Gamble

When Bhuvneshwar Kumar didn’t show up for Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s opening match in the IPL 2025 season, plenty of fans were caught off guard. Snagged for a cool ₹10.75 crore in the high-stakes auction, expectations for the 35-year-old swing specialist were sky-high. Instead, he ended up on the bench with a minor injury, while RCB faced Kolkata Knight Riders without their most experienced pacer. RCB had to turn to Rasikh Salam Dhar from Jammu and Kashmir, who stepped in with determination. Despite missing their star bowler, RCB still emerged victorious, chasing down KKR with seven wickets to spare.

But with IPL seasons turning on tiny moments, questions swirled about how long RCB could manage without someone like Bhuvneshwar. His ability to control the new ball, peg back batters in the powerplay, and steady the ship at the death had always set him apart. Without him, the pressure on the rest of the bowling pack — especially on Australian quick Josh Hazlewood — was always going to feel like a ticking time bomb.

Recovery, Return, and Strategic Value in Crunch Moments

That’s why RCB wasted no time in ramping up Bhuvneshwar’s recovery program. Not long after the opening win, fans and coaches watched him at practice, sending down deliveries at full throttle in the nets. The team’s mentor, Dinesh Karthik, promptly assured the media that there were "no issues" about his fitness, snuffing out most of the speculation before the big face-off with Chennai Super Kings.

The team’s management took no shortcuts, making sure that Bhuvi was back for the matches that mattered. By April 18, he was not just back in the side but making an impact against Punjab Kings at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. In a stop-start contest shortened by rain, Bhuvneshwar did what he does best — picked up the wicket of opener Prabhsimran Singh, a player he’s managed to dismiss four times in T20 cricket. That small slice of the action summed up what he brings: tactical awareness, calm under pressure, and a knack for breakthroughs when things get scrappy.

RCB’s decision to hold Bhuvneshwar back and only reintroduce him once they were fully convinced of his readiness shows just how much importance they’re placing on his presence this year. Too many campaigns have slipped away for RCB because the bowling department failed to hold its nerve when the stakes rose. With Bhuvneshwar fit again, there’s a fresh layer of confidence in the dressing room. His experience allows bowlers around him to take bigger risks, knowing they have a safety net, especially in crunch death overs or when early wickets are desperately needed.

The new IPL season still has plenty of twists ahead, but RCB’s willingness to wait for their strike bowler — and the way he’s delivered since coming back — could set the tone for their title challenge. As long as Bhuvneshwar Kumar stays fit and firing, RCB’s bowling line-up looks more complete and far less vulnerable than in recent years.