CSK vs RCB, IPL 2025: Will Bhuvneshwar Kumar Play For Royal Challengers Bengaluru Against Chennai Super Kings?

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will hope to have Bhuvneshwar Kumar available for the first southern derby of IPL 2025 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday (March 28).

RCB signed Bhuvneshwar for Rs 10.75 crore at the player auction last year as the franchise focused on strengthening their bowling, which has always been lacking in the squad for several seasons now.

However, the 35-year-old, who was expected to share the new ball with Josh Hazlewood, missed RCB's campaign opener against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata last weekend due to a minor injury as updated by the franchise after the toss.

RCB under the captaincy of Rajat Patidar managed to overcome KKR in their own backyard thanks to Krunal Pandya's bowling display followed by Phil Salt and Virat Kohli's batting show.

The Bengaluru-based side selected Jammu and Kashmir pacer Rasikh Salam Dhar in place of Bhuvneshwar, but will hope to have the seasoned campaigner fit and available soon. So, that brings us to the question if he will be available for Friday's CSK vs RCB match:

Will Bhuvneshwar Kumar play for RCB vs CSK today?

Bhuvneshwar Kumar Fitness Update: The senior pacer has been bowling at the nets, possibly indicating that he is available for the clash against CSK in Chennai. RCB mentor Dinesh Karthik also hinted the same during the pre-match press-conference.

"As far as I know, there are no fitness concerns. Yes, Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar) did not play the last game but he bowled and felt good yesterday. So, we will wait on that," Karthik said. This indicates, he will come into the eleven at the expense of Rasikh.

The 35-year-old has represented Pune Warriors India (PWI) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL, playing 11 consecutive seasons for the latter and lifting the 2016 title. He also had a stint for Royal Challengers Bengaluru earlier, playing for the side in the Champions League T20 back in October 2009.

Overall, Bhuvneshwar has claimed 181 wicket in 176 matches in IPL at an economy rate of 7.56. Against CSK, he has claimed 13 wickets in 20 innings and at the Chennai stadium, the medium pacer has claimed 7 wickets in 12 innings.