India, June 1 -- For years, conversations around Bhuvneshwar Kumar carried the same caveat: "He's one of the most skilful Indian bowlers, but can his body hold up?"

The question followed him through recurring injuries, selection calls and inevitable assumptions that accompany older fast bowlers. Before you knew it, Bhuvneshwar became a player people spoke about in the past tense.

This IPL season, he reminded everyone why that was a mistake. He finished with 28 wickets in 16 matches, just one behind Kagiso Rabada in the Purple Cap race for the top bowler of the season.

It was one of the most memorable bowling performances by a pacer, specifically because he was everywhere. He struck with the new ball, controlled phases in the middle ove...