On how the journey started for Bhuvi
When I was in my 8th or 9th standard and I went to the stadium for the first time, my coach asked me what do you do? I said everything, because I wasn’t aware of the concept of a bowler or batter or all-rounder. So, I had gone with the mindset from gully cricket, that I can do everything. When I saw that everyone comes there to bat and they say that they are batters. And when I said, “I can do everything” the coach thought a bowler has arrived and said “Go bowl”. So that’s how the journey started.
On his ability to swing the ball and how that came about
The ability to swing the ball comes to me naturally, no one taught me how to swing it or what to do when bowling. So, it came on its own. The coaches noticed that he has something different or something good. Generally, when you are new, the coaches won’t give you the new ball for bowling, for obvious reasons, because you are new. But when he saw that I can swing the ball, he started giving me the new ball to practice with in the nets. Then when he felt that I had reached the age where I could understand something about bowling, then the coaches started teaching me things and giving me inputs.
On the Sachin wicket
In 2008-09 season, I got the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar for a duck, and then a lot of things changed. It was the final of the Ranji Trophy, UP vs Mumbai, and it was also my second season in domestic cricket. Being an Indian, I grew up watching him, I admired him and then to take his wicket, was a very big moment for me. It is difficult to explain. I bowled, and there wasn’t any real swing. But generally, it is said that if it is destined to happen then it will happen. I got the wicket. There was an inside edge and the catch went to the fielder who was just behind the short-leg position – it isn’t even a proper fielding position probably, but the fielder was there and the ball went to his hand.
India Selection for Pakistan tour
At that time the Ranji Trophy was going on, and we were playing Vidarbha when the team was announced. We were bowling at that time and someone told me that I have been selected for the Indian team for the series against Pakistan. Of course, I was very happy and it is hard describe the feeling and there were a lot of emotions at that time. And when you have worked so hard, and then you receive the debut call-up for the India team, you feel very good that whatever hard work you have put in till now has paid off. But again it is the start of a journey. The dream of wanting to play for India is now realised, but the dream of playing for India for a long period – that journey is just beginning.
Fast bowling revolution in India
The fast-bowling revolution in India came after the 2011 World Cup. There were swing bowlers, fast bowlers, there was a variety in the bowlers. At that time, some of the senior bowlers retired after the World Cup and it was a phase of transition for the Indian team. There was Ishant Sharma, who had been playing for a while and was a senior bowler. I made my debut and so did Mohammed Shami. And there were bowlers like Umesh Yadav, who had also been playing for a while, and that’s where our core group got formed. And the best part was that all of us were almost of the same age.
When Virat became the Test captain in 2014
When Virat took over captaincy of the Test team and the way there was a fast-bowling revolution in the team and to be a part of it was a very special feeling for me. The way Virat captained in Test cricket, and the way the transformation happened after that, the whole credit goes to him. And I think the reason is that the way Virat is. He is aggressive and in Test cricket you need that. It is a format where the game goes on for 5 days, and there are times in the game when nothing is happening and you’re just going through the motions. The match is going on session after session. But I think there was a hunger in Virat, that we have to do something, we don’t have to just go through the motions. We have to do something, create chances. That passion from Virat rubbed off on everyone. And everyone started thinking in the same manner slowly after the first series and the second series. Everyone was on the same page, that we have to create chances and do something to win the matches.
On Jasprit Bumrah and the India pace battery
When Jasprit Bumrah made his India debut, the unique style of his bowling also got added to the bowling unit. If you look at the bowlers, Ishant is tall and he gets bounce, Umesh is generally fast and with Shami, his seam bowling is very special. That was a team and it is a team game. Everyone’s uniqueness makes the team special. When Bumrah made his debut, before that everyone was very experienced. The way Bumrah came and the way Virat started things, it must have been easy for him, because all the bowlers had become experienced. Everyone was different, unique and good. So everything came together. If you look at that period, the Indian team was quite good. Virat’s mindset was special.
Death Bowling
Death bowling is like an instinct. It depends on what is the situation of the match and what you are thinking as well. When there are team meetings you plan things in a particular way. But a lot of times you do it differently on the ground, because that instinct kicks in. Sometimes there is a very normal situation going on, but you have an instinct that the batter is going to do something different. So that’s when we call it being proactive – to be a step ahead of the batter. There are times when it doesn’t work out, but as long as you are proactive, and you are getting the batter to do the things you want, you will be on top of the game.
On Injuries
Injuries are a part and parcel of a fast bowler’s life and mentally it is very tough. Firstly, it is tough that you are in rehab and your team is playing, so you feel bad that you are unable to contribute or perform. And that is honestly tough. Getting injured again and again, there are ups and downs, you have good times and the bad as well.
I almost missed the whole 2015 World Cup because of an injury. And when you get injured at such a big stage, you understand that it is part of the game. But it is also sometimes difficult to explain to yourself that “why at such a time”, so that is tough for sure.
It wasn’t easy. And then after that, I also got injured in the middle 2019 World Cup and missed a few matches.
On His Career
If I look at my career, whatever I have done, whether it is the IPL, Indian team, domestic cricket, I have to be satisfied. The ambition is always there because you always want to achieve more. But I think at some point you have to be satisfied as to what you have done and achieved in your career. All I can say is that I have no regrets.
On His Return to RCB
I am back in RCB after 16 years and I am very happy to be back. From the 2008-09 or 2010 season to now in 2025, things are very different. I had come in as a young player and now I have come back with so much more experience.
On Partnering with Yash Dayal and Josh Hazlewood
If you talk about Yash and Josh, and the three of us – we are the same but different as well. If we talk about the aspects that are similar, the three of us can swing it. And then if you look Josh Hazlewood, he has the height, and Yash is a left-arm pacer, which helps create a different angle altogether. And the best part is that all three of us can bowl at any stage of the game, and we have done it as well. These qualities help complement each other a lot.And if you look back in the season, there have been times that I have not done well, but they have backed me up, or if someone hasn’t had a good day, the rest of the bowlers have stepped up. So we are complementing each other and it is a great sign.
The Personal Approach After All the Years
The way I approach things is that I never make any personal goals, and there is no aim in that way. I just keep going match by match and tour by tour. That thought process helps me stay in the present and do my best in the tournament in progress. I have experienced this that if I have an aim of wanting to pick these many wickets or get these many runs, and it doesn’t happen, then it leads to disappointment.
If someone asks me what I have to do to get back into the Indian team, so I would say that I have to keep doing what I do. Nothing special. I just need to do the basics and small things that I have been doing and I am doing that. But I am not thinking of that right now, about getting back into the Indian team or not. Whatever comes my way, I will accept it.
On any advice that had a lasting impact on Bhuvi
There is no one advice that can change your career. Even I don’t remember any specific advice that was given to me that changed my entire career or my mindset. I think what changes you or improves you, is your practice, your consistency. I think that’s the message – just keep working hard, be consistent, be disciplined. I think if you do these, the things you want to achieve will automatically come to you in your career.
