Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s IPL ‘Best Ever’ List Snub: Reigniting Rohit Sharma Rivalry Talk

Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s Controversial IPL Picks: A Snub to Rohit Sharma?

The cricketing world is abuzz following veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s participation in a lively rapid-fire session with Cricbuzz. During the interaction, Kumar was asked to list his best IPL moments and players, a task that quickly ignited a firestorm of debate. While his choices for best captain, bowler, and finisher were widely accepted, his glaring omission of one of the league’s most celebrated batters, Rohit Sharma, left fans, especially those of the ‘Hitman’, feeling more than a little ruffled.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, once considered India’s premier swing bowler, has had a career marked by both brilliance and setbacks. After a period away from the international limelight post-COVID pandemic, largely due to injuries and stiff competition, Kumar has staged a remarkable resurgence in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He was instrumental in Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) maiden title victory in 2025, proving his enduring value in the T20 format.

Unpacking Kumar’s ‘Best Ever’ IPL List

During the rapid-fire round, Kumar made some interesting choices that have become the talk of the town. For the ‘best captain’ he had played under, he unhesitatingly named RCB’s skipper, Rajat Patidar. Patidar, who led the Bengaluru franchise to their historic IPL triumph last year, clearly holds a special place in Kumar’s assessment of leadership.

When it came to the ‘best bowler’ he had faced, the swing maestro picked none other than India’s pace sensation, Jasprit Bumrah – a choice few could argue with, given Bumrah’s consistent excellence. For the ‘best finisher’ in the league, Kumar’s selection of the legendary MS Dhoni was equally unsurprising, acknowledging Dhoni’s unparalleled ability to close out games under pressure.

However, it was his pick for the ‘best batter ever faced’ that truly raised eyebrows. Kumar opted for his current RCB teammate, Virat Kohli, and conspicuously failed to mention Rohit Sharma. This oversight immediately fueled speculation among fans, with many wondering if this was a deliberate dig at the Mumbai Indians’ former captain.

Is There a Deep-Seated Rivalry Between Kumar and Sharma?

The immediate reaction from fans suggested that Bhuvneshwar’s omission of Rohit Sharma wasn’t just an oversight but a calculated move, perhaps rooted in a past incident. Cricket enthusiasts quickly recalled an old event where, during his tenure as India’s captain, Rohit Sharma was seen kicking a ball in frustration towards Kumar after the latter dropped a crucial catch. This moment, caught on camera, has often been cited by fans as a point of contention between the two stalwarts.

Adding fuel to this narrative, Bhuvneshwar Kumar had recently dismissed Rohit Sharma during an IPL clash between MI and RCB. Given this historical context and the recent on-field battle, many fans are convinced that Kumar’s exclusion of Rohit from his ‘best ever’ list was indeed a subtle form of ‘revenge’ or a clear statement of rivalry. Social media platforms, as expected, were flooded with discussions and memes dissecting every aspect of this perceived feud.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar: Dominating IPL 2026 with RCB

While the fan chatter continues, Bhuvneshwar Kumar himself is letting his performance do the talking in IPL 2026. He is currently enjoying one of the most successful seasons of his illustrious career with RCB. In 14 games so far, the seasoned pacer has scalped an impressive 24 wickets at an outstanding average of 18.50, positioning him as a strong contender for the coveted Purple Cap – awarded to the leading wicket-taker of the season.

Kumar’s exceptional form has been a massive boost for RCB, who have successfully qualified for the playoffs. This means he will have at least a couple more crucial games to add to his tally and solidify his claim for the Purple Cap. His ability to consistently pick up wickets, especially in key phases of the game, has been invaluable to his team’s success.

A significant positive for RCB this season has been Kumar’s rediscovered dominance in both the powerplay and death overs. In a format where finding bowlers who can perform effectively across all stages of an innings is challenging, Bhuvneshwar stands out. He continues to extract swing with the new ball, making life difficult for opening batters, while his consistent hitting of the right lengths and subtle variations make him a lethal weapon during the crucial death overs.

His command over line and length, combined with his experience, allows him to navigate the high-pressure situations of modern-day T20 cricket, where margins for error are incredibly slim. This makes him not just a wicket-taker but a genuine asset who can control the flow of runs, a testament to his enduring skill and adaptability.

Bhuvneshwar vs. Rohit: Reality Beyond the Headlines

Statistically, the head-to-head battle between Rohit Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the IPL has seen its share of contests. Rohit Sharma has faced 76 deliveries from Kumar in the league, managing to score 102 runs at a strike rate of 134, while being dismissed twice by the pacer. These numbers suggest a competitive, yet not overwhelmingly one-sided, rivalry on the field.

However, the off-field narrative of a bitter rivalry, often amplified by social media, tends to paint a more dramatic picture than reality. While fans love to create compelling stories and pit two star players against each other for entertainment or ‘clout’, the reality among professional cricketers is often far more nuanced. It is common for players to maintain cordial relationships, irrespective of their on-field duels or personal preferences regarding ‘best ever’ lists.

Ultimately, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s list certainly sparked a lively debate and perhaps a touch of disappointment among a section of fans, it is more likely a reflection of his personal opinion rather than a deliberate ‘dig’ or an extension of a deep-seated feud. In the competitive world of cricket, such rapid-fire answers are often spontaneous and not always intended to carry the weight of complex rivalries, irrespective of what online discussions might suggest.