Bhullar, who opened with a round of five-under 67 on the first day to be tied 10th, added a second round card of two-under 70 to get to seven-under 137 for 36 holes.
He was provisionally tied 18th and looks to be in good position to make a charge over the weekend.
Another young Turk of Indian golf, Anirban Lahiri, who is likely to get into the PGA Championships next month, started the week with a round of four-under 68. Lahiri, playing on a sponsor exemption, was due to finish his second round late on Friday.
Bhullar, who has been going through a slump over the past few months on the European Tour five birdies and a superb eagle on par-five 13th and he dropped bogeys on third and 10th.
In the second round, Bhullar had two bogeys on front nine, but had four birdies on the second nine.
Others in the joint lead are Rafa Cabrera Bello (64-68), Pablo Larrazabal (69-63), Emiliano Grillo (66-66). US Open champion Martin Kaymer's return to action following the second major victory of his career saw his home crowd turn out in force to see the 29-year-old post a one-under 71, which left him some work to do in second round.
