Veteran India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar opened up about his relationship with Virat Kohli while playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL 2025. The fast bowler stated that most of their earlier conversations were filled with fun and jokes, but now they mostly talk about matters beyond cricket.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Virat Kohli were instrumental in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL 2025 campaign. The Bengaluru-based team lifted their first title in 18 years under skipper Rajat Patidar. Bhuvneshwar picked up 17 wickets in 14 matches, while Kohli scored 657 runs in 15 innings, including eight fifties.
Things Are Different Now – Bhuvneshwar Kumar Opens Up on Friendship with Virat Kohli
Speaking on the YouTube podcast ‘Talk with Manvendra’, Bhuvneshwar Kumar said that his friendship with Virat Kohli has matured over the years. The veteran pacer shared that their conversations now reflect the changes that come with marriage and maturity.
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“Things are different now. When we meet these days, we talk more about family or off-the-ground matters because everyone has a family now,” Bhuvneshwar said.
“We talk about how we are doing in life other than cricket. Earlier, when we weren’t married and were younger, it was more about the usual fun and jokes boys have. So that’s where the change has come,” he added.
After being released by Sunrisers Hyderabad following a poor IPL 2024, Bhuvneshwar Kumar faced uncertainty about his future. However, Royal Challengers Bengaluru backed the veteran pacer and signed him for ₹10.75 crore at the mega auction.
We Never Really Need That Bond to Perform Well – Bhuvneshwar Kumar
The 35-year-old said that Royal Challengers Bengaluru expect every player to perform well regardless of friendship. Kumar added that off-field interactions have changed with age and maturity.
“We never really need that bond to perform well. If RCB has picked me, Virat, or any other player, they want us to perform regardless of friendship,” Kumar continued.
“Everyone knows what they have to do on the ground. But off the ground, of course, things have changed. We’ve matured, we’ve grown older, so now the conversations are different,” he added.
Kumar bowled effectively with both the new ball and in the death overs. Bhuvneshwar picked up two crucial scalps in the final against Punjab Kings (PBKS). The former Purple Cap winner has taken 198 wickets in 190 IPL matches at an economy rate of 7.69.
Rajat Patidar Didn’t Have to Do Much – Bhuvneshwar Kumar
In the same conversation, Bhuvneshwar Kumar praised Rajat Patidar for his leadership during RCB’s title-winning campaign, adding that the skipper handled a team full of senior players with ease. He stated that various players produced match-winning performances at different stages.
“The best part was that since it was such an experienced team, Rajat didn’t have to do much. Where leadership was needed, he took decisions without hesitation. That’s a quality — knowing when to step in and when to let things be,” Bhuvneshwar said.
“This time, the biggest difference was that all players in the XI won matches at different times, in different situations. You can’t win a big tournament relying on just one or two players. Bowlers stepped up in some games, batters in others. In every stage, a new player emerged to win it for us,” he concluded.
Rajat Patidar guided the team to their maiden IPL title in his debut season as Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain. The Indore-born batter led RCB to crucial victories against heavyweights like Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians.
Patidar scored 312 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of 143.77. The team secured a six-run win over Punjab Kings in the final at Ahmedabad.
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