The Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed some of the greatest bowlers in T20 history, showcasing their skills year after year. Over the seasons, many legendary bowlers have dominated the tournament, leaving a lasting impact with their wicket-taking abilities. Here, we take a detailed look at the top 10 wicket-takers in IPL history, analyzing their stats and contributions to their respective teams.
1. Yuzvendra Chahal (PK) – 205 Wickets
Yuzvendra Chahal, Rajasthan Royals' (RR) premier leg-spinner, sits at the top of the list with 205 wickets. Having played 160 matches and bowled 585 overs, Chahal has conceded 4602 runs. His best bowling figures in an IPL match stand at 5/40. With an impressive bowling average of 22.45, an economy rate of 7.84, and a strike rate of 17.18, he has been a consistent match-winner. Chahal has taken six four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul in his IPL career. His ability to deceive batters with flight, turn, and accuracy makes him one of the most successful bowlers in IPL history.
2. Piyush Chawla (MI) – 192 Wickets
Piyush Chawla, currently representing Mumbai Indians (MI), has picked up 192 wickets in 192 matches. The experienced leg-spinner has bowled 640 innings, conceding 5108 runs in the process. His best figures in an IPL match are 4/17, and he maintains a bowling average of 26.60. With an economy rate of 7.96 and a strike rate of 20.5, Chawla has been a crucial asset for multiple franchises over the years. He has also recorded two four-wicket hauls. Chawla's vast experience and ability to bowl in pressure situations have made him a valuable spinner in the league.
3. Dwayne Bravo (CSK) – 183 Wickets
Dwayne Bravo, one of the best all-rounders in IPL history, has taken 183 wickets while representing Chennai Super Kings (CSK). In 161 matches, Bravo has bowled 4359 deliveries and conceded 4359 runs. His best figures in an IPL match stand at 4/22. He boasts a bowling average of 23.82, an economy rate of 8.38, and a strike rate of 17.05. The Caribbean superstar has claimed two four-wicket hauls. Bravo’s ability to deliver in death overs with variations like slower balls and yorkers has made him one of the most impactful bowlers in IPL history.
4. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (SRH) – 181 Wickets
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) pace spearhead, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, has scalped 181 wickets in 176 matches. He has bowled 650 overs, giving away 4929 runs. His best bowling figures in an IPL game are 5/19. With an average of 27.23 and an economy rate of 7.56, Bhuvneshwar has been an exceptional performer, especially with the new ball. His strike rate of 21.60, along with two four-wicket hauls and two five-wicket hauls, proves his match-winning capabilities. Known for his swing and accuracy, Bhuvneshwar has been a key asset for SRH in multiple IPL seasons. He will be seen in RCB team in IPL 2025.
5. Sunil Narine (KKR) – 180 Wickets
Sunil Narine, the mystery spinner from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has taken 180 wickets in 177 matches. He has bowled 679 overs and conceded 4571 runs. His best IPL figures are 5/19. Narine’s bowling average stands at 25.39, with an economy rate of 6.73—one of the best in IPL history. His strike rate is 22.64, and he has taken seven four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul. Narine’s unorthodox action and variations make him one of the toughest bowlers to face in the shortest format of the game.
6. Ravichandran Ashwin (RR) – 180 Wickets
Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has picked up 180 wickets in 212 IPL matches. He has bowled 753 overs and conceded 5370 runs. His best bowling figures in the tournament are 4/34. Ashwin has an average of 29.83, an economy rate of 7.12, and a strike rate of 25.13. He has taken only one four-wicket haul in his IPL career. Known for his intelligent variations and tactical acumen, Ashwin has been a crucial player in every team he has represented.
7. Amit Mishra (LSG) – 174 Wickets
Amit Mishra, one of the finest leg-spinners in IPL history, has taken 174 wickets in 162 matches. He has bowled 561 overs, conceding 4149 runs. His best bowling figures in an IPL match are 5/17. With a bowling average of 23.84 and an economy rate of 7.38, Mishra has been a consistent wicket-taker. His strike rate of 19.37, along with four four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul, reflects his ability to dismantle batting line-ups. Mishra's variations and ability to outfox batters have made him a valuable bowler in the league.
8. Lasith Malinga (MI) – 170 Wickets
Lasith Malinga, the yorker king of IPL, has picked up 170 wickets in just 122 matches for Mumbai Indians (MI). He has bowled 471 overs and conceded 3366 runs. His best bowling figures in an IPL game stand at 5/13. With an astonishing bowling average of 19.80 and an economy rate of 7.14, Malinga remains one of the most lethal bowlers in IPL history. His strike rate of 16.63, along with six four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul, demonstrates his dominance over the years. Malinga’s toe-crushing yorkers and ability to deliver under pressure made him a nightmare for batters.
9. Jasprit Bumrah (MI) – 165 Wickets
Mumbai Indians’ pace sensation Jasprit Bumrah has taken 165 wickets in 133 matches. He has bowled 506 overs, conceding 3714 runs. His best figures in an IPL match stand at 5/10. With a bowling average of 22.51, an economy rate of 7.30, and a strike rate of 18.50, Bumrah has been a vital cog in MI’s success. He has taken two four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul in his IPL career. Bumrah’s unique bowling action, accuracy, and ability to bowl deadly yorkers make him one of the best fast bowlers in IPL history.
10. Ravindra Jadeja (CSK) – 160 Wickets
Ravindra Jadeja, the all-rounder from Chennai Super Kings (CSK), has taken 160 wickets in 240 matches. He has bowled 636 overs and conceded 4864 runs. His best IPL figures stand at 5/16. With a bowling average of 30.40 and an economy rate of 7.62, Jadeja has been an effective left-arm spinner. His strike rate of 23.93, along with three four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul, highlights his match-winning ability. Besides his bowling, Jadeja's exceptional fielding and handy batting make him one of the most valuable players in IPL history.
Conclusion
These ten bowlers have made history with their wicket-taking prowess in the IPL. From spinners like Chahal, Narine, and Ashwin to pacers like Malinga, Bumrah, and Bhuvneshwar, each of these legends has contributed significantly to their team’s success. Their ability to perform under pressure, take crucial wickets, and adapt to different conditions has made them true IPL greats. As the tournament continues to evolve, it will be exciting to see which bowlers rise to the top and challenge these records in the coming years.
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