Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s IPL ‘Best Ever’ List Snubs Rohit Sharma, Enraging Fans
In the dynamic and often passionate world of the Indian Premier League (IPL), player opinions frequently become headlines. Such was the case recently when veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar participated in a rapid-fire interview, sharing his ‘best ever’ IPL moments and player rankings. While his selections for best captain, bowler, and finisher were well-received, his choice for the ‘best batter ever faced’ has sent ripples through the cricketing community, particularly among fans of one prominent Indian star.
Kumar, currently enjoying a stellar run with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2026, raised eyebrows by naming his present RCB teammate Virat Kohli as the best batter he has faced, seemingly overlooking one of the IPL’s most successful batsmen, Rohit Sharma. This omission was not lost on fans, leading to immediate speculation and widespread debate across social media platforms.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s Controversial ‘Best Ever’ List
During a candid interaction with Cricbuzz, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was put on the spot to rank various aspects of his illustrious IPL journey. His choices reflected a mix of current success and respect for established legends. For the best captain, Kumar unhesitatingly picked RCB skipper Rajat Patidar, under whose leadership RCB clinched their maiden title in 2025. This choice was understandable, given the recent triumph and the camaraderie within the team.
Continuing his selections, Kumar named the formidable Jasprit Bumrah as the best bowler, a sentiment shared by many in the cricketing world who acknowledge Bumrah’s unparalleled skill across all formats. For the best finisher, the veteran pacer opted for the legendary MS Dhoni, a testament to Dhoni’s enduring legacy as one of the game’s greatest closers. However, it was his pick for the best batter ever faced that truly caught the attention of fans and pundits alike.
Instead of mentioning Rohit Sharma, a player with five IPL titles as captain and a plethora of batting records to his name, Kumar chose Virat Kohli. This decision immediately fueled discussions about a potential underlying rivalry or a deliberate dig, given past interactions between the two Indian stalwarts.
The Alleged Rohit Sharma ‘Snub’ and Its Origins
The cricketing world, especially the passionate fan base, thrives on narratives of rivalry and personal contests. Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s decision to omit Rohit Sharma from his ‘best batter’ list was quickly interpreted by many as a calculated snub, perhaps even a form of ‘revenge’. Fans were quick to recall an incident from the past when, during his tenure as India’s captain, Rohit Sharma had visibly expressed anger by kicking a ball towards Kumar after the latter dropped a catch. This historical context immediately became a focal point for those believing in a simmering tension between the two players.
Adding fuel to this fire was a more recent encounter where Bhuvneshwar Kumar successfully dismissed Rohit Sharma during an IPL clash between MI and RCB. For many fans, this dismissal, coupled with the rapid-fire interview omission, cemented the idea that Kumar was indeed taking a subtle jab at Rohit Sharma and his supporters. The narrative of an ongoing rivalry, whether real or imagined, was firmly established in the minds of many cricket enthusiasts.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s Dominant IPL 2026 Season
Amidst the controversy, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s performance on the field in IPL 2026 has been nothing short of spectacular. Far from being distracted, the experienced pacer is enjoying one of the best seasons of his career with RCB. In 14 games, he has scalped an impressive 24 wickets at an average of 18.50, positioning him as a strong contender for the prestigious Purple Cap, awarded to the bowler with the most wickets in the season.
His consistent wicket-taking ability has been a cornerstone of RCB’s success, leading them to qualify for the playoffs. This qualification is a significant positive for Kumar’s Purple Cap aspirations, as it guarantees him at least a couple more games to add to his already impressive tally. His ability to consistently pick up wickets, particularly at crucial junctures, has been invaluable for his team.
A major boon for RCB this season has been Kumar’s rediscovered dominance with the ball. He has provided a reliable pace option capable of excelling in both the powerplay and death overs, a rare and highly sought-after skill in T20 cricket. Even at 35, Kumar continues to demonstrate his ability to generate swing, a trait that made him India’s premier swing bowler in his prime. Coupled with his consistent accuracy in hitting the right lengths, this combination makes him a lethal and effective bowler, proving that experience and skill can still outshine raw pace in modern-day cricket, where bowlers often have very little margin for error.
Is the Bhuvneshwar vs. Rohit Rivalry Really True?
While the narrative of a rivalry between Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rohit Sharma makes for captivating headlines and social media discussions, a closer look at the facts often reveals a different picture. Statistically, in the IPL, Rohit Sharma has faced 76 balls against Bhuvneshwar Kumar, scoring 102 runs at a strike rate of 134 while being dismissed twice. These numbers indicate a competitive but not overwhelmingly dominant individual contest.
As for the off-field ‘rivalry’ and the alleged revenge moves, it is often seen as a product of social media-orchestrated agendas. Fans, with their immense passion for the game and their favorite players, sometimes inadvertently create narratives to pit two cricketing heroes against each other, often to generate engagement and ‘clout’. The reality, however, is frequently far removed from these online conjectures.
In truth, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has consistently maintained a cordial and professional relationship with Rohit Sharma. Irrespective of his personal views on the best IPL batters or captains, player interactions behind the scenes are usually respectful. The competitive spirit on the field is a fundamental part of sports, but it rarely translates into genuine animosity off it, especially among seasoned professionals who have played together for years at the highest level. It is more likely that Kumar’s choices in the rapid-fire round were genuine reflections of his experiences and preferences, rather than a deliberate attempt to ‘throw shade’ or reignite an old ‘rivalry’.
