Bhuvneshwar Kumar Singh (born 5 February 1990) is an Indian international cricketer who played for the Indian cricket team from 2012 to 2022. He currently plays for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League and Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket. A right-arm medium bowler, he is known by the nickname "Swing King" for his ability to swing the ball both ways efficiently, with his inswingers more effective than outswingers.[3][4] Initially starting his career as an opening swing bowler, Kumar upgraded his bowling armoury with reverse swing, slower balls and yorkers to become a death over specialist. With India, Kumar won the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. He became the first bowler to win a Purple Cap of IPL in two consecutive seasons.
He made his international debut in December 2012 against Pakistan, taking three wickets in a Twenty20 International, including one in his first over. He went on to make his One Day International (ODI) debut in the series which followed, where he took a wicket on his first ball.[5][6] He is the first Indian bowler to take a five-wicket haul in Test cricket, ODIs and T20Is.[7] He is the only bowler whose first wicket in all three formats of the game was bowled. During the 2022 Asia Cup, he was the highest wicket taker with 11 wickets.
Early life
Bhuvneshwar Kumar was born in Meerut on 5 February 1990 to Kiran Pal Singh, a police officer.[8][9]
His sister encouraged him to play cricket and took him to his first coaching centre when he was 13.[9]
In 2016, he played in Sunrisers' team which won the 2016 Indian Premier League, taking 23 wickets and winning the Purple Cap as the bowler who took most wickets during the season.[16][17] In 2018, he was named the team's vice-captain.[18]
Kumar made his international debut at the end of 2012, playing in T20I and ODI matches against Pakistan. He made his Test debut in 2013 and was part of the Indian team which won the 2013 Champions Trophy.[20] He was named in the Team of the Tournament by the International Cricket Council (ICC).[21]
In July 2013, he posted career-best figures of four wickets for eight runs (4/8) against Sri Lanka in the Tri-Nation tournament. He was the leading wicket taker in the tournament and awarded the Player of the Series.[22]
During the 2014 tour of England, Kumar took new career-best Test match bowling figures of 6/82 at Lord's; he was named the Indian Player of the Series.[23]
In June 2022, Kumar was named India's vice-captain for their T20I matches against Ireland.[30]
Personal life
On 23 November 2017, Kumar married Nupur Nagar in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.[31][32] They became parents to a baby girl named Acsah on 24 November 2021.[33][34]