Most Wickets in IPL History
In T20 cricket, particularly in the IPL, bowlers face a challenging environment. With flat pitches, short boundaries, and powerful hitters, every over feels like a fight. A single poor six-ball performance can completely mess up your stats. However, this is also what adds to the thrill of the format. It encourages bowlers to be clever and brave. The top bowlers don’t just focus on preventing runs, they aim for the stumps, vary their speed, and constantly seek wickets. In the IPL, many bowlers have made a name for themselves by taking on the batters. Jasprit Bumrah is famous for his accurate yorkers, Jadeja keeps batters guessing with his quick balls, and Rashid Khan’s googlies are almost impossible to read. Bhuvneshwar Kumar skillfully swings the ball in both directions, while legends like Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Sunil Narine consistently take wickets every season.
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Top 5 Most Wickets in IPL
Here’s a look at the Top-5 bowlers who have picked the most wickets in IPL history.
| Serial No. | Bowler Name | Wickets | Matches | Best Bowling |
| 1 | Yuzvendra Chahal | 221 | 174 | 5/40 |
| 2 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 198 | 190 | 5/19 |
| 3 | Sunil Narine | 192 | 189 | 5/19 |
| 4 | Piyush Chawla | 192 | 192 | 4/17 |
| 5 | Ravichandran Ashwin | 187 | 221 | 4/34 |
Yuzvendra Chahal – 221 wickets
Yuzvendra Chahal is at the top of the wicket-takers list with the most number of wickets in IPL history. He made a name for himself while playing for RCB in a stadium that was tough for bowlers. Still, it was his unique talent that helped him take a lot of wickets at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, which contributed to his rapid rise as a T20 bowler. After joining Rajasthan Royals in 2022, he became their leading strike bowler and even secured the Purple Cap that season. So far, in 174 IPL matches, Chahal has taken 221 wickets, with his best performance being 5/40 against KKR in 2022.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 198 wickets
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is considered one of the smartest fast bowlers in IPL history. Since he started playing in 2011, he has been recognized for his ability to swing the ball in both directions and for his precise yorkers during crucial moments. His peak performance was with Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he won the Purple Cap two times. Now, as the leader of the bowling attack for RCB, Bhuvi has taken 198 wickets in 190 matches, with his best performance being 5/19 against PBKS in 2017. He remains calm under pressure and is lethal with the new ball, demonstrating that talent and intelligence can still prevail in a game dominated by batters.
Sunil Narine – 192 wickets
Sunil Narine has been a legend for KKR since he started playing in 2012. The mystery spinner from Trinidad has taken 192 wickets in 189 matches in the IPL, which makes him one of the top wicket-takers in the league. His different bowling styles have confused batters for years, and he has been a key player in KKR’s championship victories. Narine is not just a bowler, he has also scored quick runs as a pinch-hitter. He is the only player to have won the Most Valuable Player award three times, showing that he is one of the most well-rounded T20 players the IPL has ever had.
Piyush Chawla – 192 wickets
Another Indian leg-spinner who honed his skills in the IPL, Piyush Chawla retired as one of the league’s all-time great bowlers. He kicked off his IPL career with the Punjab franchise in 2008 and later played for Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, and Mumbai Indians. Over the course of 192 matches, he took 192 wickets, making him one of the top wicket-takers in IPL history. Chawla’s career was packed with unforgettable moments, such as scoring the winning runs in the 2014 final for KKR. After wrapping up his final season with Mumbai Indians in 2024, he announced his retirement from a remarkable career in June 2025.
Ravichandran Ashwin – 187 wickets
Ravichandran Ashwin will be remembered as one of the smartest bowlers in IPL history. Since his debut in 2008 with CSK until his last season in 2025, he consistently kept batters on their toes with his carrom balls, off-spin, and strategic moves. Throughout 16 seasons, he participated in 221 matches and claimed 187 wickets, securing two IPL championships in the process. Ashwin was always willing to experiment, which is what made him unique. Now that he has retired, he is ready to share his cricket knowledge with the upcoming generation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q:Who has the most wickets in IPL?
Yuzvendra Chahal has picked the most wickets in the IPL. Chahal has 221 scalps to his name in his entire IPL career.
Q:Who is the No.1 bowler in the IPL?
In terms of wickets, Chahal is the No.1 bowler in the IPL.