Most Wickets in IPL History - Top 10 Leading Wicket Takers
by Maivizhi A | Updated Mar 31, 2023
Most Wickets in IPL History
Taking wickets is of great importance in the IPL T20 format as it can help to swing the momentum in a team's favor and also put pressure on the opposition. In T20 cricket, where every run counts, the ability to take wickets at regular intervals can help to restrict the opposition's total and limit their scoring rate. Bowlers who can consistently take wickets can also create a fear factor for the opposition, making them more cautious and reducing their attacking intent. This can lead to mistakes and misjudgments, resulting in further wickets and a lower score. In addition, taking wickets in the powerplay overs can be crucial as it can help to set the tone for the rest of the innings and put the opposition on the back foot early on. Conversely, losing early wickets can put a team on the defensive and make it harder for them to set a challenging target or chase down a big total.
Overall, taking wickets is a key aspect of success in the IPL T20 format and can make a significant difference in determining the outcome of a match.
Top 10 Leading Wicket Takers in IPL History
Here is the list of the all-time top 10 wicket-takers in the history of the IPL tournaments.
S.No
Players
Wickets
Matches
Team
Economy
1
Dwayne Bravo
183
161
Chennai Super Kings
8.38
2
Lasith Malinga
170
122
Mumbai Indians
7.14
3
Yuzvendra Chahal
166
131
Rajasthan Royals
7.61
4
Amit Mishra
166
154
Delhi Capitals
7.36
5
Piyush Chawla
157
165
Mumbai Indians
7.88
6
Ravichandran Ashwin
157
184
Rajasthan Royals
6.97
7
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
154
146
Sunrisers Hyderabad
7.30
8
Sunil Narine
152
148
Kolkata Knightriders
6.63
9
Harbhajan Singh
150
163
Kolkata Knightriders
7.07
10
Jasprit Bumrah
145
120
Mumbai Indians
7.39
Let us see each players in detail.
Who has the Most Wickets in IPL Top 10?
1. Dwayne Bravo
Dwayne Bravo from the West Indies has taken the most wickets in the league, having claimed 183 wickets in 161 matches. He boasts an impressive bowling average of 23.82, with his best performance being 4/22 against Punjab in 2016. One of Bravo's key strengths is his ability to bowl accurate yorkers and slower deliveries. He has represented Chennai for 10 seasons, Mumbai for 3 seasons, and Gujarat for 2 seasons. Known for his entertaining style on the cricket field, Bravo is considered to be a top performer in the league.
2. Lasith Malinga
With 170 wickets in 122 matches, Lasith Malinga is the second-highest wicket-taker in the IPL. He has remained loyal to one franchise throughout his career and has played a significant role in Mumbai's multiple IPL title victories. Malinga's impeccable yorkers have posed a challenge for many batters, contributing to his impressive average of 19.79. He currently serves as the bowling coach for the Rajasthan team. Malinga's consistent performance and loyalty to his team have earned him a reputation as a valuable player in the league.
3. Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal, who won the Purple Cap last season, has taken 166 wickets in the Indian T20 League throughout his career. His excellent bowling average of 21.83 and economy rate of 7.61 are notable statistics in T20 cricket. Chahal, who previously played for Bangalore, achieved his first 5-wicket haul during last year's tournament when Rajasthan defeated Kolkata in a thrilling match. With his impressive performances, Chahal has established himself as a skilled bowler in the league.
4. Amit Mishra
Amit Mishra, who is considered to be one of the league's legends, has taken 166 wickets in his career, just like Chahal. Mishra has represented Delhi, Deccan, and Hyderabad throughout his career and will be playing for Lucknow in the upcoming 2023 season. With an impressive economy rate of 7.35, Mishra will be aiming to make a strong impact for his new team from the get-go. Mishra's experience and skill as a bowler have earned him a reputation as a top performer in the league.
5. Piyush Chawla
Piyush Chawla has claimed 157 wickets in the top T20 league worldwide, using his leg-spin skills to great effect. Chawla has represented Punjab, Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai in his career, with his most significant success coming while playing for Kolkata. In 2011, Chawla delivered his best bowling performance of 4/17 against Bangalore. As Mumbai's most experienced spinner, Chawla will be representing them in the 2023 season. With his skill and experience, Chawla will likely play a crucial role in Mumbai's performance.
6. Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin is a prominent player in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He has represented three different franchises in the league so far, including Chennai Super Kings, Rising Pune Supergiant, and Delhi Capitals. Ashwin has been a vital part of his teams, contributing to their success with his exceptional off-spin bowling and his ability to take wickets at crucial moments. He has been recognized for his performances in the IPL, receiving the Purple Cap for being the leading wicket-taker in the 2010 season, and he has been named the Player of the Match on several occasions. Ashwin's experience and skills as a bowler have made him a valuable asset to any team in the league.
7. Bhuvaneshwar Kumar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is an Indian cricketer who has made a significant impact as a bowler in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He has represented the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise throughout his IPL career and has been a key member of their bowling attack. Bhuvneshwar's ability to swing the ball both ways has made him a difficult bowler to face, and he has consistently been among the top wicket-takers in the league. He has won the Purple Cap twice, in 2016 and 2017, for being the leading wicket-taker in the tournament. In addition to his bowling skills, Bhuvneshwar is also an excellent fielder and a useful lower-order batsman. His consistent performances have made him one of the most valuable players in the IPL.
8. Sunil Naraine
Sunil Narine is a West Indian cricketer who is renowned for his exceptional spin bowling skills in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He has represented the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise since 2012 and has been one of their most successful bowlers. Narine is known for his ability to bowl a variety of deliveries, including off-breaks, doosras, and knuckleballs, making him a difficult bowler to read for the opposition batsmen.
Narine has been consistently among the top wicket-takers in the IPL, and he has won the Purple Cap twice, in 2012 and 2013. He has played a crucial role in helping Kolkata Knight Riders win the IPL title twice, in 2012 and 2014.
9. Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh is an Indian off-spinner who has played for various franchises, including Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. He is one of the highest wicket-takers in the IPL with 150 wickets in 160 matches. Harbhajan is known for his accuracy, subtle variations, and the ability to bowl in the powerplay and take wickets in the middle overs. He has been an integral part of Mumbai Indians' success in the IPL, winning the tournament four times with them.
10. Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah is an Indian fast bowler who has represented Mumbai Indians throughout his IPL career. He is regarded as one of the best death bowlers in the world, with his ability to bowl yorkers and slower balls at the death making him a lethal weapon for Mumbai Indians. Bumrah has taken 145 wickets in 120 matches at an economy rate of 7.39. He has won the IPL title five times with Mumbai Indians and has been their leading wicket-taker in several seasons.
Who is the Highest Wicket Taker in IPL History?
Dwayne Bravo, the West Indies legend, became one of the most well-known personalities in the IPL and a Chennai Super Kings (CSK) icon during his illustrious career, which included four IPL titles, among other accolades. Despite his outstanding performances, Bravo had a quiet start to his IPL journey, as he was not one of the top picks in the 2008 auction and was signed by the Mumbai Indians as a replacement for the injured Lasith Malinga. However, in 2011, he was bought by CSK, and he helped them win the IPL title four times. While he established himself as a quality batsman, it was his bowling, particularly in the death overs, that made him an asset for his team.
After playing in the IPL every year except 2017, Bravo retired from the tournament last year and will now return as a bowling coach for CSK in the 2023 season. He retired as the leading wicket-taker in IPL history, having taken 183 wickets in 158 innings at an average of 23.82 and an economy rate of 8.38. Bravo also holds the record for the most wickets in a single season, with 32 wickets in 2013, which he shared with Harshal Patel, who equaled the record in 2021.
Most Wickets in IPL Season
Dwayne Bravo, the record holder for most wickets taken in the IPL's history, also shares the record for most wickets taken in a single season, jointly with Harshal Patel, both having taken 32 wickets each. Bravo achieved this feat in 2013 while playing for the Chennai Super Kings, and Harshal Patel matched it in 2021.
Conclusion
The 16th season of the Indian Premier League is set to commence on March 31, featuring 10 teams competing in 74 matches. Although the T20 format is known for favoring the batsmen, many bowlers have made their mark in the tournament since its inception in 2008. Dwayne Bravo, the former all-rounder for Chennai Super Kings, holds the record for the most wickets in IPL history, with 183 wickets in 161 matches at an average of 23.83 and a strike rate of 17.05. Lasith Malinga, a former bowler for Mumbai Indians, ranks second with 170 wickets in 122 games, with his best bowling figures being 5 for 13 in the IPL. Amit Mishra, the latest addition to Lucknow SuperGiants, and Yuzvendra Chahal, the leg-spinner for Rajasthan Royals, are the leading Indian wicket-takers in the tournament with 166 wickets each. Only three overseas players feature in the top 10 wicket-takers list.
Most Wickets in IPL History - FAQs
Taking wickets is crucial in T20 cricket because it can help swing the momentum in a team's favor, restrict the opposition's total, and limit their scoring rate.
Dwayne Bravo from the West Indies is the highest wicket-taker in the IPL, having claimed 183 wickets in 161 matches.
Lasith Malinga is known for his impeccable yorkers that pose a challenge for many batters, contributing to his impressive average of 19.79. He has played a significant role in Mumbai's multiple IPL title victories and is currently serving as the bowling coach for the Rajasthan team.
Yuzvendra Chahal won the Purple Cap last season in the IPL, having taken 21 wickets in 15 matches.
Amit Mishra has represented Delhi, Deccan, and Hyderabad throughout his career and will be playing for Lucknow in the upcoming 2023 season.