Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Bhuvneshwar Kumar's Comeback Built on Strength and Training
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is a fast bowler who has had back, ankle and knee injuries.
His trainer, Surya Yadav, says Kumar has worked to become stronger and leaner.
His weight has stayed about the same, but his body fat has gone down.
He has also increased the weight he can squat.
His training includes gym exercises, jumping, bowling, rehabilitation and other cricket skills.
He builds up his bowling workload gradually before major competitions.
The article says he took 28 wickets in the 2026 IPL season.
It also says he bowled at around 140 kph during the season.
Trainer Surya Yadav says Kumar reduced his body fat from about 20% to 13–14% over three years while staying around 73–74 kg.
Yadav says Kumar’s squat load has risen from about 40 kg to roughly 110–120 kg.
His programme combines strength work, Olympic lifts, plyometrics, bowling practice, rehabilitation and injury-prevention exercises.
Kumar reportedly trains five to six days a week, with cricket-related training lasting about five to seven hours a day depending on preparation.
The article reports that Kumar took 28 wickets in the 2026 IPL season and maintained a pace of around 140 kph.
- Who
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar and his trainer, Surya Yadav.
- What
- Kumar's fitness rebuild and training programme after repeated injuries.
- When
- The article describes changes over roughly three years and reports on the 2026 IPL season.
- Where
- At his training centre and in cricket, including the 2026 IPL season.
- Why
- To improve strength and body composition, address bowling mechanics, and prepare for the demands of fast bowling.
Training emphasis
Injury concerns
Increasing strength work
Training emphasis
Yadav gradually introduced progressive resistance training, and Kumar's reported squat capacity increased substantially.
Injury concerns
Kumar was initially cautious about heavy lifting because of his injury history and concern that extra load could cause further problems.
Managing return to cricket
Training emphasis
The programme includes strength, power, bowling practice and other cricket skills to prepare Kumar for fast bowling.
Injury concerns
His return to full-intensity cricket is built up gradually, with controlled indoor bowling and rehabilitation to avoid a sudden increase in workload.
- Body fat
- Reportedly fell from about 20% to 13–14% over three years.
- Weight
- Reportedly remained around 73–74 kg.
- Squat load
- Rose from about 40 kg to roughly 110–120 kg, according to Yadav.
- Training frequency
- Five to six days a week, according to Yadav.
- Daily cricket-related training
- About five to seven hours, depending on preparation, according to Yadav.
- 2026 IPL wickets
- The article reports 28 wickets, described as the highest tally by an Indian bowler in that edition.
- Reported pace
- Around 140 kph during the 2026 IPL season.