Indian T20 League, the most-watched cricket league in the world, usually sets explosive batting and powerful hitting as the centre of attention. What the fans tend to overlook, though, is the fact that bowlers are actually the trump cards, who are equally capable of dictating the pace of the game.
Since its inception in 2008, the league has seen some of the most breathtaking bowling performances and these five players dominate the list of tournament’s all-time top wicket-takers.
Most wickets in Indian T20 League
5. Ravichandran Ashwin
Having been loyal to just one Indian T20 League side, the right-arm off-break bowler has notched 180 wickets in 177 games at an average of 25.39. The lead spinner for team Kolkata is also one of the few bowlers in the league with seven four-wicket hauls to his name.
4. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Playing for the Hyderabad franchise in the 2024 season of the Indian T20 League, India's Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been a vital cog for this team. In the course of 176 matches across seasons, Bhuvneshwar has scalped 181 wickets at an average of 27.23 and an economy rate of 7.56.
3. Dwayne Bravo
Dwayne Bravo, who is one of the two players to have won the Purple Cap twice in the league, started his career with Mumbai before moving to MS Dhoni-led Chennai in 2011. Having played 14 seasons, the West Indies cricketer picked 183 wickets in 161 matches while holding an economy of 8.38.
2. Piyush Chawla
Having played for Punjab from 2008 till 2013, leg-spinner Piyush Chawla was roped in by Kolkata in 2014, and he performed well for them before joining Team Mumbai. In 192 matches so far, Chawla surpasses Bravo's record to have scalped 192 wickets. He holds an average of 26.6 and an economy rate of 7.96.
1. Yuzvendra Chahal
The fourth Indian spinner in this top five, no bowler has taken more wickets in the Indian T20 League than Yuzvendra Chahal. The tricky right-arm spinner boasts plenty of variations and can turn the ball a long way. In 160 games so far, he's taken 205 wickets at an impressive average of 22.45 and an economy of 7.84.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Manjunath Kiran
