The Indian Premier League has been running since 2008 and completed its 18th edition in 2025. Over nearly two decades, the tournament has given cricket fans some truly outstanding bowling performances.
At this time, Yuzvendra Chahal is the all-time leading wicket-taker in IPL history with 221 wickets. Behind him is Bhuvneshwar Kumar with 198 wickets, while Sunil Narine is in third place with 192 wickets. He is also the first bowler to take 200 wickets in IPL. Chahal is widely known as one of the best leg spinners, admired for his clever variations, sharp turn, and ability to trouble batters consistently.
One remarkable fact about this list is that seven of the top ten bowlers are Indian, which shows just how dominant Indian talent has been in the league. The only three overseas players in the top ten are Sunil Narine, Dwayne Bravo, and Lasith Malinga. Keep reading this full blog to know more about these legendary bowlers from IPL.
Top 10 Highest Wicket-Takers in IPL History
Here is a complete look at the top 10 bowlers by wickets taken in IPL history from 2008 to 2026.
| Position | Player | Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy | BBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yuzvendra Chahal | 174 | 221 | 22.76 | 7.96 | 5/40 |
| 2 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 190 | 198 | 27.33 | 7.69 | 5/19 |
| 3 | Sunil Narine | 189 | 192 | 25.63 | 6.79 | 5/19 |
| 4 | Piyush Chawla | 192 | 192 | 26.6 | 7.96 | 4/17 |
| 5 | Ravichandran Ashwin | 221 | 187 | 30.22 | 7.2 | 4/34 |
| 6 | Jasprit Bumrah | 145 | 183 | 22.02 | 7.24 | 5/10 |
| 7 | Dwayne Bravo | 161 | 183 | 23.82 | 8.38 | 4/22 |
| 8 | Amit Mishra | 162 | 174 | 23.82 | 7.37 | 5/17 |
| 9 | Lasith Malinga | 122 | 170 | 19.79 | 7.14 | 5/13 |
| 10 | Ravindra Jadeja | 254 | 170 | 30.51 | 7.67 | 5/16 |
1. Yuzvendra Chahal: 221 Wickets
Yuzvendra Chahal is the greatest wicket-taker in IPL history. He has been playing in the tournament since 2013 and across 174 matches has picked up an incredible 221 wickets, placing him firmly at the top of the all-time list.
Chahal’s numbers speak for themselves — a bowling average of 22.76, an economy rate of 7.96, and a strike rate of 17.15. His best bowling figures in the IPL are 5 for 40. He has also achieved the rare feat of taking two hat-tricks during his IPL career.
Known for his sharp leg-spin and a cool head under pressure, Chahal has produced several match-winning spells for his franchises over the years.
Yuzvendra Chahal’s Best IPL Bowling Figures
| No. | Bowling Figure | Against | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5/40 | Kolkata Knight Riders | IPL 2022 |
| 2 | 4/17 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | IPL 2023 |
| 3 | 4/25 | Kings XI Punjab | IPL 2016 |
2. Bhuvneshwar Kumar: 198 Wickets
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been one of the most reliable pace bowlers the IPL has ever seen. Since his debut in 2011, he has featured in 190 matches and taken 198 wickets, placing him second on the all-time list.
His best bowling figures are 5 for 19, and he has kept a steady bowling average of 27.33, an economy rate of 7.69, and a strike rate of 21.32.
Bhuvneshwar also made history by winning the Purple Cap in back-to-back seasons in 2016 and 2017, a feat no other bowler has managed in IPL history. He has also been on the winning side twice, claiming IPL titles with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016 and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2025.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s Best IPL Bowling Figures
| No. | Bowling Figure | Against | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5/19 | Kings XI Punjab | IPL 2017 |
| 2 | 5/30 | Gujarat Titans | IPL 2023 |
| 3 | 4/14 | Rajasthan Royals | IPL 2014 |
3. Sunil Narine: 192 Wickets
Sunil Narine is widely regarded as one of the greatest all-round performers in IPL history. A loyal servant of the Kolkata Knight Riders since 2012, Narine has played 189 matches and claimed 192 wickets.
His best bowling performance is 5 for 19, and his economy rate of 6.79 is exceptional by any standard, reflecting how effectively he has kept runs dry throughout his career.
Beyond his bowling, Narine has reinvented himself as a destructive opening batter, scoring 1780 runs in 189 matches, with 7 half-centuries and 1 century.
Sunil Narine’s Best IPL Bowling Figures
| No. | Bowling Figure | Against | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5/19 | Kings XI Punjab | IPL 2012 |
| 2 | 4/13 | Delhi Daredevils | IPL 2013 |
| 3 | 4/15 | Mumbai Indians | IPL 2012 |
4. Piyush Chawla: 192 Wickets
Piyush Chawla is one of the most experienced spinners the IPL has produced. He played in the tournament for an impressive 16 years, from 2008 to 2024, appearing in 192 matches and taking 192 wickets.
His best bowling figures are 4 for 17, and he maintained a bowling average of 26.60, an economy rate of 7.96, and a strike rate of 20.05 throughout his career.
Chawla represented several big franchises, including Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Kings XI Punjab, and Mumbai Indians.
Piyush Chawla’s Best IPL Bowling Figures
| No. | Bowling Figure | Against | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4/17 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | IPL 2011 |
| 2 | 4/32 | Delhi Daredevils | IPL 2015 |
| 3 | 3/19 | Kings XI Punjab | IPL 2014 |
5. Ravichandran Ashwin: 187 Wickets
Ravichandran Ashwin has gathered 187 wickets in the IPL across 221 matches, making him one of the most experienced bowlers in the tournament’s history. He is well known for his tactical thinking and ability to read batters early.
His bowling average stands at 30.22, with an economy rate of 7.20 and a strike rate of 25.18.
Over his IPL career, Ashwin has worn the jerseys of Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, Kings XI Punjab, Rising Pune Supergiants, and Rajasthan Royals. He was also part of the CSK team that clinched IPL titles in 2010 and 2011.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s Best IPL Bowling Figures
| No. | Bowling Figure | Against | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4/34 | Kings XI Punjab | IPL 2016 |
| 2 | 3/16 | Kolkata Knight Riders | IPL 2010 |
| 3 | 3/16 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | IPL 2011 |
6. Jasprit Bumrah: 183 Wickets
Jasprit Bumrah is the finest fast bowler of the modern IPL era. Between 2013 and 2025, he has played 145 matches and taken 183 wickets for the Mumbai Indians.
He has a bowling average of 22.02, an economy rate of 7.24, and a strike rate of 18.23. His best IPL bowling figures are a stunning 5 for 10.
Bumrah has spent his entire IPL career at Mumbai Indians and has been part of five title-winning campaigns with the franchise.
Jasprit Bumrah’s Best IPL Bowling Figures
| No. | Bowling Figure | Against | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5/10 | Kolkata Knight Riders | IPL 2022 |
| 2 | 5/21 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | IPL 2024 |
| 3 | 4/14 | Delhi Capitals | IPL 2020 |
7. Dwayne Bravo: 183 Wickets
Dwayne Bravo is one of the most feared death-over bowlers the IPL has ever seen. Across 14 seasons from 2008 to 2022, he played 161 matches and took 183 wickets.
He maintained a bowling average of 23.82 and an economy rate of 8.38. Bravo won the prestigious Purple Cap on two occasions, in 2013 and 2015, on both occasions while representing the Chennai Super Kings.
His skill in executing yorkers and slower balls at the death made him a nearly unplayable option in the closing overs of IPL matches.
Dwayne Bravo’s Best IPL Bowling Figures
| No. | Bowling Figure | Against | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4/22 | Kings XI Punjab | IPL 2016 |
| 2 | 4/42 | Mumbai Indians | IPL 2016 |
| 3 | 3/9 | Mumbai Indians | IPL 2013 |
8. Amit Mishra: 174 Wickets
Amit Mishra has been one of the most successful leg-spinners in IPL history. From 2008 to 2024, he played 162 matches and took 174 wickets, consistently troubling top-order batters with his sharp turn and variations.
He maintained a bowling average of 23.82, an economy rate of 7.37, and a strike rate of 19.37. His best bowling figures in the IPL are 5 for 17.
Amit Mishra is the only bowler in the tournament’s history to take three hat-tricks, which is a remarkable achievement.
Amit Mishra’s Best IPL Bowling Figures
| No. | Bowling Figure | Against | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5/17 | Deccan Chargers | IPL 2008 |
| 2 | 4/9 | Kings XI Punjab | IPL 2011 |
| 3 | 4/11 | Kings XI Punjab | IPL 2016 |
9. Lasith Malinga: 170 Wickets
Lasith Malinga is widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in IPL history. Playing exclusively for the Mumbai Indians from 2009 to 2019, he appeared in 122 matches and took 170 wickets.
His best bowling figures are 5 for 13, and he was remarkably economical, finishing with a bowling average of 19.79, an economy rate of 7.14, and a strike rate of 16.62, all outstanding numbers for a fast bowler.
Malinga claimed the Purple Cap in 2011 and played a central role in MI’s IPL title victories in 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019.
Lasith Malinga’s Best IPL Bowling Figures
| No. | Bowling Figure | Against | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5/13 | Delhi Daredevils | IPL 2011 |
| 2 | 5/32 | Chennai Super Kings | IPL 2012 |
| 3 | 4/16 | Deccan Chargers | IPL 2012 |
10. Ravindra Jadeja: 170 Wickets
Ravindra Jadeja is one of the finest all-rounders the IPL has produced. From 2008 to 2025, he appeared in 254 matches, the most of any player on this list, and took 170 wickets, contributing enormously to his teams with both bat and ball.
His bowling average is 30.51, with an economy rate of 7.67 and a strike rate of 23.85. Over his long IPL career, Jadeja has represented several franchises, including Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Lions, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, and Rajasthan Royals.
Ravindra Jadeja’s Best IPL Bowling Figures
| No. | Bowling Figure | Against | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5/16 | Deccan Chargers | IPL 2012 |
| 2 | 4/11 | Rajasthan Royals | IPL 2015 |
| 3 | 4/12 | Kolkata Knight Riders | IPL 2014 |
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Conclusion: Yuzvendra Chahal Leads the IPL Wicket Chart
Yuzvendra Chahal sits at the top of the all-time IPL wicket-takers list with 221 wickets, and his lead continues to grow with every season. He is followed by experienced Indian bowlers, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Amit Mishra, and Ravichandran Ashwin.
As IPL 2026 is about to start, several bowlers will be chasing these records. It will be fascinating to see who climbs the charts next and whether anyone can close to the top ten. Keep following for more IPL records, stats, and updates.
