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Bhuvneshwar Kumar keeps proving that experience in T20 cricket is not a polite word for 'past it.' The Royal Challengers Bengaluru pacer produced another new-ball masterclass against Punjab Kings at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala, striking in the very first over of PBKS’ 223-run chase.

Priyansh Arya faced three balls and could not get off the mark before Bhuvneshwar removed him, giving RCB the ideal start in a high-pressure playoff race. That wicket also helped Bhuvneshwar go past Ashish Nehra’s long-standing Indian record for most wickets in an IPL season after turning 35.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar goes past Ashish Nehra in elite 35-plus list

Nehra had taken 22 wickets in 2015, and Bhuvneshwar has now moved to 23 in IPL 2026. In a league that keeps searching for the next 150kph wonder, Bhuvi is still out here winning with seam, swing, patience and the calm menace of a man who has seen every batting trend come and go.

Bhuvneshwar's first-over strike took him to 23 wickets in IPL 2026, making him the first Indian bowler to go past Ashish Nehra’s 11-year-old mark for most wickets in an IPL edition after turning 35. Nehra had picked up 22 wickets in 2015, and that remained the benchmark for Indian pacers in the late-career bracket until Bhuvneshwar overtook it this season.

Most wickets in an IPL edition after turning 35:

26 - Imran Tahir in 2019
23 - Bhuvneshwar Kumar in 2026
22 - Ashish Nehra in 2015
22 - Trent Boult in 2025
21 - Anil Kumble in 2009

Only Imran Tahir sits above him now. That tells you how special this season has been. Bhuvneshwar is not just hanging around in the XI because of reputation. He is leading RCB's attack, topping the Purple Cap race, and taking wickets in the toughest phase of the innings.

His role is also what makes the record valuable. These are not soft wickets picked up when batters are throwing their bats at lost causes. Bhuvneshwar is bowling the first over, setting the tone, and removing openers before chases can breathe.

First Indian with 50 first-over T20 wickets

The wicket of Priyansh Arya also gave Bhuvneshwar another massive achievement. He became the first Indian bowler to take 50 wickets in the first over of T20 matches. That is a record built over years of new-ball excellence.

Most wickets in first over of T20 matches:

64 - Shaheen Shah Afridi
63 - David Willey
52 - Mohammad Amir
50* - Bhuvneshwar Kumar
49 - Trent Boult

Bhuvneshwar is now fourth on the global list and ahead of Trent Boult. The names around him are all new-ball specialists, which shows the level of company he has entered.

This record is perhaps the purest summary of Bhuvneshwar’s career. He has never needed theatre to be dangerous. No exaggerated stare, no unnecessary chaos, no constant short-ball threats. Just seam position, late movement, and the ability to make batters play before they are settled.

Against Punjab, Priyansh Arya never looked comfortable. Three balls, no runs, and then gone. That is the Bhuvi script when the ball behaves even slightly.

Also READ: Virat Kohli breaks multiple IPL records during PBKS vs RCB clash in Dharamshala

Bhuvneshwar Kumar continues his Punjab Kings hold in IPL

After dismissing Priyansh in the first over, Bhuvneshwar returned in his second over and removed Prabhsimran Singh as well. The wicketkeeper-batter managed only 2 off 5 balls before edging to Devdutt Padikkal at slip.

That wicket took Bhuvneshwar to 36 IPL wickets against Punjab Kings, making him the joint-highest wicket-taker against PBKS in tournament history alongside Sunil Narine.

Most wickets against Punjab Kings in IPL:

36* - Bhuvneshwar Kumar
36 - Sunil Narine
35 - Umesh Yadav
32 - Yuzvendra Chahal
27 - Rashid Khan

Narine has taken all his wickets against Punjab while playing for Kolkata Knight Riders. Bhuvneshwar’s wickets have come across three franchises: Pune Warriors, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. That makes his record a long-running story rather than one-team dominance.

If Bhuvneshwar takes one more wicket against Punjab, he will become the outright highest wicket-taker against a single opponent in IPL history. As things stand, he is tied with Narine at 36.

Most wickets against one team in IPL:

36* - Bhuvneshwar Kumar vs Punjab Kings
36 - Sunil Narine vs Punjab Kings
35 - Umesh Yadav vs Punjab Kings
33 - Dwayne Bravo vs Mumbai Indians
33 - Yuzvendra Chahal vs Kolkata Knight Riders
33 - Bhuvneshwar Kumar vs Kolkata Knight Riders
33 - Mohit Sharma vs Mumbai Indians

The list shows how often Bhuvneshwar has built pressure against the same teams over several years. Punjab have been one of his favourite opponents, and Sunday was another reminder.