The Indian Premier League (IPL) is not just a tournament—it’s a spectacle that showcases top-tier cricketing talent from around the world. Among the many exciting aspects of the IPL, the race for the highest wicket taker in IPL has always been one of the most thrilling. Over the years, many legendary bowlers have made their mark, delivering match-winning performances with the ball. Here’s a detailed look into the highest wicket taker in IPL history, their records, stats, and notable milestones.
Highest Wicket Taker in IPL: Top 20 Picks
Rank |
Player | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling |
1 | Yuzvendra Chahal | 169 | 214 |
5/40 |
2 |
Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 185 | 193 | 5/19 |
3 | Piyush Chawla | 192 | 192 |
4/17 |
4 |
Sunil Narine | 185 | 187 | 5/19 |
5 | Ravichandran Ashwin | 219 | 185 |
4/34 |
6 |
Dwayne Bravo | 161 | 183 | 4/22 |
7 | Jasprit Bumrah | 139 | 174 |
5/10 |
8 |
Amit Mishra | 162 | 174 | 5/17 |
9 | Lasith Malinga | 122 | 170 |
5/13 |
10 |
Ravindra Jadeja | 249 | 166 | 5/16 |
11 | Rashid Khan | 130 | 156 |
4/24 |
12 |
Harbhajan Singh | 163 | 150 | 5/18 |
13 | Harshal Patel | 114 | 148 |
5/27 |
14 |
Sandeep Sharma | 137 | 146 | 5/18 |
15 | Umesh Yadav | 148 | 144 |
4/23 |
16 |
Mohit Sharma | 119 | 134 | 5/10 |
17 | Trent Boult | 114 | 134 |
4/18 |
18 |
Mohammed Shami | 118 | 133 | 4/11 |
19 | Axar Patel | 159 | 126 |
4/21 |
20 |
Andre Russell | 136 | 122 |
5/15 |
#1. Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal is the highest wicket taker in IPL history. Known for his excellent spin bowling, Chahal has been a cornerstone of Royal Challengers Bangalore and later Rajasthan Royals. He has consistently been among the top wicket-taker each season, with his accuracy and ability to bowl in the middle overs being his strengths. As of now, he has surpassed all others, taking over 170 wickets in the IPL.
#2. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, known for his swinging deliveries, especially in the powerplay, has been one of the highest wicket taker in IPL for many years. His consistency in taking wickets with the new ball has made him a key player. Over the years, he has claimed more than 190 wickets in the IPL.
#3. Piyush Chawla
Piyush Chawla, another legendary Indian leg-spinner, is one of the highest wicket taker in IPL history. His variations and ability to bowl in the pressure moments have earned him over 150 wickets in the tournament. His most notable moments came with Kolkata Knight Riders, where he played a vital role in their victories.
#4. Sunil Narine
Sunil Narine, the mystery spinner from the West Indies, has been one of the most effective bowlers in IPL history. He has played a major role in Kolkata Knight Riders’ success over the years, constantly providing breakthroughs with his spin and guile. Narine has claimed over 120 wickets, solidifying his place as one of the highest wicket taker in IPL.
#5. Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin, a master of the art of spin bowling, has been a consistent wicket-taker in the IPL. Known for his control and variations, Ashwin has become one of the best off-spinners in the league, consistently taking wickets season after season. He has over 150 wickets in the IPL and remains one of the top bowlers in the tournament.
#6. Dwayne Bravo
Dwayne Bravo, the all-rounder from the West Indies, has made a massive impact in the IPL. Known for his ability to bowl in the death overs, Bravo has been a key player for Chennai Super Kings. His aggressive bowling and wicket-taking ability have earned him over 150 wickets, making him one of the highest wicket taker in IPL.
#7. Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah, Mumbai Indians’ premier bowler, has become one of the most feared fast bowlers in the world. Known for his accuracy and ability to bowl in the death overs, Bumrah has played a key role in Mumbai’s IPL successes. With over 130 wickets to his name, Bumrah is considered one of the best fast bowlers in the IPL.
#8. Amit Mishra
Amit Mishra, another experienced leg-spinner, has been a vital part of many IPL teams, including Delhi Capitals and Deccan Chargers. His ability to pick up wickets with his clever variations has earned him over 150 wickets, making him one of the most consistent bowlers in IPL history.
#9. Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga, the Sri Lankan fast bowler, has been one of the most iconic figures in the IPL. He is known for his toe-crushing yorkers and his ability to take wickets at crucial moments. Malinga has taken over 170 wickets in the IPL, making him one of the top wicket takers in the league’s history.
#10. Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja, the left-arm spinner and all-rounder, has been one of the most effective bowlers in the IPL. His ability to take wickets in the middle overs has made him a key player for Chennai Super Kings. With over 130 wickets, Jadeja remains one of the highest wicket taker in IPL.
#11. Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan, the Afghan leg-spinner, has taken the IPL by storm with his performances for Sunrisers Hyderabad. His deceptive bowling and accuracy make him one of the toughest bowlers to face in the IPL. With over 120 wickets, Rashid Khan is fast becoming one of the top wicket takers in the league.
#12. Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh, one of the stalwarts of Indian cricket, has been a consistent performer in the IPL. Known for his off-spin, he has played for various teams and has taken over 150 wickets in the tournament, contributing to his reputation as one of the highest wicket taker in IPL.
#13. Harshal Patel
Harshal Patel had an extraordinary season in IPL 2021, where he won the Purple Cap for taking the most wickets. His variations and slower balls made him a key player. With over 100 wickets, Harshal is one of the emerging wicket-taking threats in the IPL.
#14. Sandeep Sharma
Sandeep Sharma is another consistent wicket-taker, especially known for his swinging deliveries. With more than 100 wickets in the IPL, Sandeep has been a crucial player for Rajasthan Royals and continues to be a valuable asset to the team.
#15. Umesh Yadav
Umesh Yadav, the Indian fast bowler, has been effective with the new ball in the IPL. Known for his pace and bounce, Yadav has claimed over 100 wickets in the tournament, making him one of the notable wicket-taker in the history of IPL.
#16. Mohit Sharma
Mohit Sharma has made significant contributions to his teams, primarily in the early phases of the innings. With over 100 wickets in the IPL, Mohit is recognized for his ability to take wickets in the powerplay and his economy rate.
#17. Trent Boult
Trent Boult, known for his ability to swing the ball both ways, has been an outstanding fast bowler for Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals. Boult’s consistent performances with the new ball have helped him secure over 100 wickets in the IPL.
#18. Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Shami, one of the leading fast bowlers in world cricket, has also been one of the top wicket takers in IPL. His seam movement and pace have made him a consistent wicket-taker, claiming over 100 wickets in the league.
#19. Axar Patel
Axar Patel, the left-arm spinner, has been a consistent performer for Delhi Capitals. With his accuracy and clever variations, Axar has taken over 100 wickets in the IPL and continues to be one of the top bowlers in the competition.
#20. Andre Russell
Andre Russell, the explosive all-rounder from the West Indies, has also made his mark as the highest wicket taker in IPL. Known for his pace and aggressive bowling, Russell has claimed over 100 wickets, further solidifying his reputation as one of the most complete players in IPL history.
Key Milestones
- Yuzvendra Chahal became the first bowler to reach 200 wickets in IPL history.
- Dwayne Bravo surpassed Lasith Malinga to become the highest wicket taker in IPL history during the 2022 season.
- Ravindra Jadeja achieved the rare feat of accumulating over 100 wickets, 1,000 runs, and 100 catches in the IPL.
Conclusion
The list of highest wicket taker in IPL features a range of bowlers, from spinners like Yuzvendra Chahal and Sunil Narine to pacers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Lasith Malinga. Each of these players has played a significant role in their respective teams’ successes and has contributed to the thrilling action that fans love about the IPL. Their milestones and records serve as a testament to their skill, consistency, and ability to perform under pressure in one of the most competitive leagues in the world.