Batting always dominates in IPL, but there have been some bowlers who have been instrumental and successful in the cash rich league. In this article, we will talk about those 10 bowlers who have taken the most wickets in IPL history. We will start from number 10 and move forward to the name who sent the most batsmen to the pavilion.
10. Lasith Malinga (SL Malinga) – 170 wickets
Lasith Malinga played only 122 matches from 2009 to 2019, but taking 170 wickets in so few matches is nothing short of a miracle. His average was just 19.79 and strike rate 16.62 by giving 3365 runs in 2827 balls. The former Sri Lanka pacer’s best performance was 13 runs by taking 5 wickets. Malinga took four wickets six times and registered a five-wicket scalp once. The Yorker King took the death overs in his grip.
9. Amit Mishra (A Mishra) – 174 wickets
Amit Mishra featured 162 matches from 2008 to 2024. He dismissed 174 batsmen by giving away 4145 runs in 3371 balls. His bowling average was 23.82 and economy was 7.37. The leg-spinner is one of the few players to take a hattrick in IPL history. He was slow in the air and possessed a deceptive google to fox the batters.
8. Dwayne Bravo (DJ Bravo) – 183 wickets
The Caribbean super star Dwayne Bravo scalped 183 wickets playing 161 matches from 2008 to 2022. He gave away 4360 runs in 3119 balls and his best spell was 4/22. The former CKS man’s ability to take wickets in the death overs with an economy of 8.38 was amazing. Bravo's energy and variations won many matches for Chennai.
7. Jasprit Bumrah (JJ Bumrah) – 183 wickets
Jasprit Bumrah played only 145 matches from 2013 to 2025 and bowled in the same number of innings. He took 183 wickets giving away 4031 runs in 3337 balls. The Mumbai Indians’ superstar bowling average is currently 22.02 and strike rate is 18.23. 5/10 has been his best bowling figures in the league until now. Bumrah's accurate yorkers and slower balls have broken the backbone of opposition batsmen many times. Jasprit is the currently the best bowler across formats.
6. Ravichandran Ashwin (R Ashwin) - 187 wickets
Ravichandran Ashwin, who bowled 217 times in 221 matches, picked up 187 wickets for 5652 runs in 4710 balls. His bowling average is currently 30.22, which does not diminish his skill as he has bowled in difficult times. 4/34 was his best spell. The Chennai born’s variations and cleverness in off-spin has often foxed the best of batsmen.
5. Ravindra Jadeja (RA Jadeja) – 188 wickets
In 254 matches played from 2008 to 2025, Jadeja bowled in 225 innings and bowled 4056 deliveries. He bowled a total of 676 overs and took 188 wickets for 5188 runs. The left-arm spinner’s best bowling figure was not 5/16 but 4/32. His bowling average has been 27.59 and the economy rate is 7.44. Despite being an all-rounder, so many wickets prove how effective Jadeja has been with the ball in this league.
4. Piyush Chawla (PP Chawla) - 192 wickets
From 2008 to 2024, Chawla took 192 wickets for 5108 runs in 3850 balls in 192 matches. His average was 26.60 and strike rate was 20.05. 4/17 was his best performance. Chawla took wickets from the powerplay to the middle overs and he was consistently effective. His googly was a sight to watch.
3. Sunil Narine (SP Narine) – 192 wickets
Narine bowled 4345 balls in 189 matches from 2012 to 2025 and took 192 wickets for 4922 runs. His average is 25.63 and economy is just 6.79. 5/19 has been his best figures and he also took four wickets seven times. The mystery and tight line-length in his bowling forces the batsmen to think. The West Indies’ mystery spinner has been one of the instrumental figures in KKR winning three titles.
2. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (B Kumar) – 198 wickets
Bhuvnesh Kumar, who bowled 190 times in 190 matches, took 198 wickets for 5412 runs in 4222 balls. 5/19 was his best figures and his bowling average is 27.33. Bhuvi has stood out under pressure on many occasions with his accurate yorkers in death bowling and also with his ability to swing the new ball. The Uttar Pradesh born has two five-wicket hauls, which proves his quality.
1. Yuzvendra Chahal (YS Chahal) – 221 wickets
Yuzvendra Chahal is the most successful bowler in IPL. He bowled 3791 balls in 174 matches from 2013 to 2025 and took 221 wickets for 5032 runs. 5/40 was his best performance and his bowling average is 22.76. Chahal’s leg-spin has rattled the opposition, especially in the middle overs. He has the ability to turn matches around with his habit of taking wickets consistently.
These bowlers made their place in the batsman-dominated environment of IPL and proved that taking wickets is not just about skills, but also about brains and planning. Chahal being at the top is no coincidence. His consistent performance and his knack of impacting the results of the match has brought him to this position. It will be interesting to see in the coming seasons whether Bhuvi or Narine are able to challenge this figure or Chahal strengthens his lead.
