Stories
Why RCB Fans Are Upset Over Bhuvneshwar Kumar's India Comeback
- •Veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been named in India's 16-member squad for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand.
- •While his return marks a major milestone after battling injuries, Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans are unhappy with the news.
- •The frustration stems from the IPL uncapped player rule, which allows franchises to retain eligible players for a lower price of Rs 4 crore.
- •Bhuvneshwar needed to stay away from international cricket until late 2027 to qualify for the uncapped status, saving RCB a huge sum from his current Rs 10.75 crore salary.
- •His recall to the national team ruins RCB's chances of retaining him at the bargain rate under the special retention framework.
Key Questions Answered
Fans are frustrated because Bhuvneshwar's international comeback interferes with the IPL 'uncapped player' rule, which allows franchises to retain a retired or unselected international player for a fixed Rs 4 crore. If he remained uncapped for another year, RCB could have kept him well below his current salary of Rs 10.75 crore.
The IPL Governing Council revived the uncapped player rule in September 2024 ahead of the 2025 mega auction. The rule classifies a capped Indian player as 'uncapped' if they have retired from international cricket or have not played for India or held a BCCI central contract for five years, allowing franchises to retain them for Rs 4 crore.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned to the national T20I setup when the BCCI announced a 16-member squad for the five-match away series against New Zealand, starting on October 22.
