This achievement in his 81st SRH game saw him eclipse Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s previous record of six awards. Bhuvneshwar, SRH’s long-serving pacer who featured in 145 matches before moving to RCB in IPL 2025, had held the mark since his debut in 2014. Abhishek’s rise signals a new era for the Hyderabad-based outfit.

Notably, this century was Abhishek’s second for SRH, joining elite company with Warner and Klaasen. His prior IPL 2025 knock of 141 against Punjab Kings showcased his penchant for carnage. SRH’s batting firepower, led by such performances, positions them as serious contenders.

Abhishek’s journey from promising talent to record-breaker inspires young cricketers. With the IPL intensifying, his form could be the difference-maker. SRH fans are buzzing with excitement over this record-shattering night.

His versatility stands out: lethal in powerplays, economical in death. That three-wicket haul against Delhi Capitals in the opening overs exemplifies his new-ball wizardry. Even as teammate Josh Hazlewood grapples with form, Bhuvneshwar’s reliability has stabilized RCB’s attack.

RCB’s perennial bowling woes seem a distant memory post Bhuvneshwar’s 2025 arrival. He complements Hazlewood upfront and excels in containing runs late on, often snaring key scalps. Recalling his 17 wickets en route to RCB’s 2025 IPL glory, his current form suggests another stellar run.

Fitness remains his superpower. Sharp fielding and unrelenting pace underline his professionalism. Should this momentum persist, Bhuvneshwar could be the fulcrum for RCB retaining their crown, blending craft with endurance in IPL 2026’s intense battles.

Friday’s clash in Bengaluru saw Vaibhav treat elite pacers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood as mere net bowlers. His powerplay pyrotechnics – aggressive yet controlled – propelled Royals to a commanding position. Global cricket circles are abuzz with his poise against high-speed thunderbolts.

In an exclusive JioStar interview, Karim marveled, ‘Jaw-dropping stuff. Vaibhav’s era is dawning, and it’s thrilling to witness. Talent overflows, paired with bold strokes and mature game sense. Seamless against pace and spin, he dominated the 360 degrees. Post-powerplay, he shifted gears toward a ton, smartly turning singles. No century, but his clarity shines through.’

RCB veteran Bhuvneshwar echoed the sentiments in the presser: ‘T20 at its best. Young gun, but so savvy. Proper shots, not mere hits. Incredibly wise for 15. He ripped the match away in the powerplay – full marks to Vaibhav.’

From Bihar’s dusty grounds to IPL spotlights, Suryavanshi embodies youth’s audacity. His blend of power hitting, shot variety, and tactical nous marks him as a generational talent. As Royals surge ahead, the question isn’t if he’ll shine, but how brightly. Cricket’s new chapter features this prodigy at center stage.

Reflecting on his injury-plagued journey, Natarajan didn’t mince words. ‘The collarbone fracture last year was brutal. Credit to the DC setup—management, coaches, everyone—for their unwavering support. They charted my training roadmap. Camps in Delhi, Surat, Hyderabad, and Dubai pieced me back together, restoring rhythm and confidence. Injuries always derail momentum just when you’re peaking.’

He detailed his fitness overhaul. ‘For six-seven months, I’ve hammered away at strength and skills. Endless yorker sessions paid off. My belief is at an all-time high, and the way matches are unfolding feels perfect.’

On modern T20 dynamics, he underscored planning. ‘Batters today are tactical geniuses, scouting bowlers deeply. That’s why precise strategies define success. I map every phase; hits don’t faze me if plans are solid.’

To perfect his length, Natarajan blended childhood tennis-ball flair with pro techniques. Inspired by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, he incorporated weighted and red-ball sessions. ‘Tennis-ball roots gave me edge. Bhuvi’s tip on slow red-ball progression transformed my control.’

Natarajan’s comeback story inspires, signaling a potential game-changer for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar tops the charts with 1,852 dot balls in 4,222 deliveries across 190 matches. The right-armer’s IPL journey since 2011 includes 198 wickets at the cost of 5,412 runs, featuring 1,350 singles, 282 doubles, 558 boundaries, and 169 maximums. His swing bowling has defined purple caps and playoff heroics.

Sunil Narine follows with 1,720 dots from 4,345 balls in 189 games. The West Indian all-rounder’s 192 wickets came for 4,922 runs, including 317 fours and 188 sixes. Narine’s evolution from new-ball threat to death-over specialist has been legendary.

In third place, Ravichandran Ashwin boasts 1,663 dots in 4,710 balls over 221 matches. With 187 wickets, he’s conceded runs via 334 fours and 221 sixes. Ashwin’s button-mashing innovations and match-reading ability set him apart.

Jasprit Bumrah’s 1,420 dot balls from 3,337 deliveries in 145 matches underline his genius. His 183 wickets cost 4,031 runs, with 360 fours and 123 sixes smashed. No one matches his death-over mastery.

Piyush Chawla secures fifth with 1,358 dots in 3,850 balls across 192 games. His 192 wickets for 5,108 runs include enduring 374 fours and 222 sixes. Chawla’s leg-spin has sparked comebacks for multiple franchises.

These statistics highlight endurance and skill. In an era of power-hitting, these bowlers’ dot-ball prowess remains a game-changer.

RCB’s Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat, explained that RCB aimed to create a balanced and robust bowling lineup that could be effective in different conditions. He mentioned the desire to include Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the team, considering his experience and skill in swing bowling, which were crucial for RCB’s strategy. Bobat clarified that retaining Siraj would have made it difficult to acquire Bhuvneshwar, as balancing the budget and player priorities was essential during the auction.

Speaking to Cricbuzz, Bobat stated, ‘Siraj was perhaps the player we thought about the most. Indian international bowlers are not easily found. We discussed every possible scenario with Siraj, whether to retain him, release him, or use the right-to-match. It was not a straightforward decision. We were trying to bring in Bhui at both ends of the innings. Keeping Siraj in the team would have made this difficult. There isn’t one single reason, many factors played a role.’

Additionally, Bobat also revealed that Australian all-rounder Cameron Green was not retained solely due to injury. He said, ‘If he was fit, we would have almost certainly retained him.’