The Indian Premier League is famous for big hits and massive scores. But bowlers have always found ways to fight back and take wickets under pressure. Some bowlers have had such good seasons that they have picked up an incredible number of wickets in just one IPL edition. If you want to know who took the highest wickets in IPL one season, this article covers everything from the all time record holders to the stats that tell the real story.
What Does “Highest Wickets in IPL One Season” Mean?
When we talk about the highest wickets in IPL one season, we are talking about the total wickets a bowler has taken across all the matches they played in a single IPL tournament. This is not about one match or one spell. It is the combined total from the entire season, which usually runs for about 14 to 16 matches for most teams, and sometimes up to 18 matches if a team plays in the playoffs.
The more matches a team plays, the more chances a bowler gets to pick up wickets. That is why bowlers from teams that reached the finals or semi finals tend to appear high on this list. The Purple Cap is awarded every season to the bowler who finishes the tournament with the most wickets. It is one of the most respected individual awards in the IPL.
Highest Wickets in IPL One Season:
This is the most detailed table covering all key bowling statistics for every bowler who has taken the highest wickets in IPL one season. The BBI column shows the best bowling figures in a single innings, while the 4W and 5W columns show how many four wicket and five wicket hauls each bowler took during the season.
| Player | Innings | Wickets | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR | 4W/5W | Season |
| Dwayne Bravo (CSK) | 18 | 32 | 4/42 | 15.53 | 7.95 | 11.71 | 1/0 | 2013 |
| Harshal Patel (RCB) | 15 | 32 | 5/27 | 14.34 | 8.14 | 10.56 | 1/1 | 2021 |
| Kagiso Rabada (DC) | 17 | 30 | 4/24 | 18.26 | 8.34 | 13.13 | 2/0 | 2020 |
| Lasith Malinga (MI) | 16 | 28 | 5/13 | 13.39 | 5.95 | 13.50 | 0/1 | 2011 |
| James Faulkner (RR) | 16 | 28 | 5/16 | 15.25 | 6.75 | 13.53 | 0/2 | 2013 |
| Mohammed Shami (GT) | 17 | 28 | 4/11 | 18.64 | 8.03 | 13.92 | 2/0 | 2023 |
| Jasprit Bumrah (MI) | 15 | 27 | 4/14 | 14.96 | 6.73 | 13.33 | 2/0 | 2020 |
| Yuzvendra Chahal (RR) | 17 | 27 | 5/40 | 19.51 | 7.75 | 15.11 | 1/1 | 2022 |
| Mohit Sharma (GT) | 14 | 27 | 5/10 | 13.37 | 8.17 | 9.81 | 2/1 | 2023 |
| Rashid Khan (GT) | 17 | 27 | 4/30 | 20.44 | 8.23 | 14.88 | 1/0 | 2023 |
Dwayne Bravo (CSK) IPL 2013: 32 Wickets
Dwayne Bravo was the first man in IPL history to take 32 wickets in a single season, and he did it across 18 innings for Chennai Super Kings in 2013. His economy of 7.95 and strike rate of 11.71 are outstanding numbers for someone bowling in the death overs every match. He picked up one four wicket haul during the tournament and finished the season as the most feared death bowler in the IPL that year. He also delivered in the biggest moment of all, the final, where he took 4 wickets, though CSK could not win the match. His record stood alone for eight years before Harshal Patel equalled it in 2021.
| Stat | Detail |
| Team | Chennai Super Kings |
| Season | 2013 |
| Innings | 18 |
| Wickets | 32 |
| BBI | 4/42 |
| Average | 15.53 |
| Economy | 7.95 |
| Strike Rate | 11.71 |
| 4W Hauls | 1 |
| 5W Hauls | 0 |
Harshal Patel (RCB) IPL 2021: 32 Wickets
Harshal Patel equalled Bravo’s record in 2021 while playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore, doing it in just 15 innings, which is three fewer than Bravo. His average of 14.34 is better than Bravo’s, and so is his strike rate of 10.56, which means he was picking up a wicket nearly every 10 balls. He took one five wicket haul in the very first match of the season against Mumbai Indians, taking 5 for 27. He also took a hat trick against the same opposition later in the season. His BBI of 5/27 remains one of the finest spell figures by any bowler in an IPL season where they also crossed 30 wickets. He was the only Indian bowler to ever match the all time record.
| Stat | Detail |
| Team | Royal Challengers Bangalore |
| Season | 2021 |
| Innings | 15 |
| Wickets | 32 |
| BBI | 5/27 |
| Average | 14.34 |
| Economy | 8.14 |
| Strike Rate | 10.56 |
| 4W Hauls | 1 |
| 5W Hauls | 1 |
Kagiso Rabada (DC) IPL 2020: 30 Wickets
Kagiso Rabada came the closest to breaking the 32 wicket record when he finished IPL 2020 with 30 wickets in 17 innings for the Delhi Capitals. The entire tournament was played in the UAE behind closed doors due to the pandemic. Rabada’s raw pace and ability to take wickets on slow UAE pitches made him the standout performer of the season. He took two four wicket hauls across the tournament, with his BBI being 4/24. His economy of 8.34 was slightly higher than ideal but given the conditions, it was still a very good number. He had also taken 25 wickets in IPL 2019, making him the only bowler apart from Dwayne Bravo to take 25 or more wickets in two different IPL seasons.
| Stat | Detail |
| Team | Delhi Capitals |
| Season | 2020 |
| Innings | 17 |
| Wickets | 30 |
| BBI | 4/24 |
| Average | 18.26 |
| Economy | 8.34 |
| Strike Rate | 13.13 |
| 4W Hauls | 2 |
| 5W Hauls | 0 |
Lasith Malinga (MI) IPL 2011: 28 Wickets
Lasith Malinga’s 2011 season for Mumbai Indians is the gold standard for fast bowling in IPL history. He took 28 wickets in 16 innings and his economy rate of 5.95 is by far the best on this entire list. No other bowler who has taken 28 or more wickets in an IPL season has had an economy rate even close to that. His average of 13.39 is the joint best on this list alongside Mohit Sharma. He took one five wicket haul during the season with figures of 5/13, and his yorkers and round arm slower balls were almost unplayable. Malinga went on to become Mumbai Indians’ all time highest wicket taker in the IPL, and his 2011 season was the peak of his IPL career.
| Stat | Detail |
| Team | Mumbai Indians |
| Season | 2011 |
| Innings | 16 |
| Wickets | 28 |
| BBI | 5/13 |
| Average | 13.39 |
| Economy | 5.95 |
| Strike Rate | 13.50 |
| 4W Hauls | 0 |
| 5W Hauls | 1 |
James Faulkner (RR) IPL 2013: 28 Wickets
James Faulkner is one of the most underrated bowlers in IPL history, but his 2013 season for Rajasthan Royals speaks for itself. He took 28 wickets in 16 innings and his economy of 6.75 is the second best on this entire list after Malinga. What really sets Faulkner apart from every other bowler on this list is that he took two five wicket hauls in the same season, which no other bowler has done in a single IPL edition. He took 5/20 and 5/16 in back to back matches against Sunrisers Hyderabad. His BBI of 5/16 remains one of the best single innings figures in IPL history. He also had a brilliant strike rate of 13.53. Faulkner’s cutters and back of hand deliveries made him nearly impossible to read during that tournament.
| Stat | Detail |
| Team | Rajasthan Royals |
| Season | 2013 |
| Innings | 16 |
| Wickets | 28 |
| BBI | 5/16 |
| Average | 15.25 |
| Economy | 6.75 |
| Strike Rate | 13.53 |
| 4W Hauls | 0 |
| 5W Hauls | 2 |
Mohammed Shami (GT) IPL 2023: 28 Wickets
Mohammed Shami had his best ever IPL season in 2023 while playing for the Gujarat Titans. He took 28 wickets across 17 innings at an average of 18.64 and an economy of 8.03. He also took two four wicket hauls during the season with his BBI being an impressive 4/11. Shami’s ability to swing the ball and bowl at pace made him the leader of an incredibly strong Gujarat Titans bowling attack in 2023. He won the Purple Cap that season and played a huge role in taking GT all the way to the final, where they lost to Chennai Super Kings. He was the first of three GT bowlers to take 25 or more wickets in that same 2023 season, which is a team record that may never be broken.
| Stat | Detail |
| Team | Gujarat Titans |
| Season | 2023 |
| Innings | 17 |
| Wickets | 28 |
| BBI | 4/11 |
| Average | 18.64 |
| Economy | 8.03 |
| Strike Rate | 13.92 |
| 4W Hauls | 2 |
| 5W Hauls | 0 |
Jasprit Bumrah (MI) IPL 2020: 27 Wickets
Jasprit Bumrah had an exceptional 2020 IPL season for Mumbai Indians in the UAE, taking 27 wickets in just 15 innings. His economy rate of 6.73 is the second best on the entire top 10 list after Malinga, which shows just how difficult it was to score off him. He took two four wicket hauls during the tournament with his BBI being 4/14. His strike rate of 13.33 means he was taking a wicket roughly every 13 balls. Bumrah was the lead bowler in Mumbai Indians’ title winning campaign that year, and his ability to bowl accurate yorkers and slower balls in death overs made him almost unplayable. The 2020 season remains the highest wicket tally of Bumrah’s IPL career.
| Stat | Detail |
| Team | Mumbai Indians |
| Season | 2020 |
| Innings | 15 |
| Wickets | 27 |
| BBI | 4/14 |
| Average | 14.96 |
| Economy | 6.73 |
| Strike Rate | 13.33 |
| 4W Hauls | 2 |
| 5W Hauls | 0 |
Yuzvendra Chahal (RR) IPL 2022: 27 Wickets
Yuzvendra Chahal’s 2022 IPL season for Rajasthan Royals was one of the finest leg spin performances the tournament has seen. He took 27 wickets in 17 innings and won the Purple Cap, making him the first spinner in a long time to top the wicket takers chart for a full IPL season. He took one five wicket haul during the season with figures of 5/40, and one four wicket haul as well. His average of 19.51 and economy of 7.75 are solid numbers for a leg spinner playing on some very flat pitches. His strike rate of 15.11 is the highest on this list but for a spinner in T20 cricket, that is still a very good return. Chahal helped Rajasthan Royals reach the final that year, where they lost to Gujarat Titans.
| Stat | Detail |
| Team | Rajasthan Royals |
| Season | 2022 |
| Innings | 17 |
| Wickets | 27 |
| BBI | 5/40 |
| Average | 19.51 |
| Economy | 7.75 |
| Strike Rate | 15.11 |
| 4W Hauls | 1 |
| 5W Hauls | 1 |
Mohit Sharma (GT) IPL 2023: 27 Wickets
Mohit Sharma had the most surprising entry on this list. He was one of three Gujarat Titans bowlers to take 27 or more wickets in the 2023 season and he did it in just 14 innings, the fewest innings among anyone in the top 10. His strike rate of 9.81 is the best on the entire list, which means he was taking a wicket every 9 to 10 balls on average. His average of 13.37 is the joint best on this list alongside Malinga. He took two four wicket hauls and one five wicket haul with his BBI being a stunning 5/10. Mohit Sharma’s ability to bowl full deliveries and hit the stumps regularly made him a key reason why Gujarat Titans were so hard to beat in 2023.
| Stat | Detail |
| Team | Gujarat Titans |
| Season | 2023 |
| Innings | 14 |
| Wickets | 27 |
| BBI | 5/10 |
| Average | 13.37 |
| Economy | 8.17 |
| Strike Rate | 9.81 |
| 4W Hauls | 2 |
| 5W Hauls | 1 |
Rashid Khan (GT) IPL 2023: 27 Wickets
Rashid Khan completed the remarkable Gujarat Titans triple in 2023, becoming the third GT bowler to take 27 or more wickets in the same season. He played 17 innings and took 27 wickets with a BBI of 4/30. His economy of 8.23 is slightly on the higher side for him personally because he is usually very tight, but it should be noted that the 2023 season saw high scoring on many pitches. His average of 20.44 and strike rate of 14.88 are still very good numbers for a spinner. Rashid took one four wicket haul during the tournament. What makes his performance even more impressive is that he was part of the best bowling attack any single IPL team has produced, yet still stood out individually with 27 wickets.
| Stat | Detail |
| Team | Gujarat Titans |
| Season | 2023 |
| Innings | 17 |
| Wickets | 27 |
| BBI | 4/30 |
| Average | 20.44 |
| Economy | 8.23 |
| Strike Rate | 14.88 |
| 4W Hauls | 1 |
| 5W Hauls | 0 |
What Separates the Top Two (32 Wickets) from the Rest?
Looking at the table closely, a few things stand out about Bravo and Harshal Patel compared to the rest. Both had strike rates well under 12, meaning they were getting wickets more frequently than anyone else on the list. Bravo’s strike rate of 11.71 and Harshal’s strike rate of 10.56 are the two best on the entire top 10. Harshal’s economy of 8.14 is higher than Bravo’s 7.95, but his average of 14.34 is the best across the whole list along with being the overall record holder. Bravo needed 18 innings to get to 32, while Harshal needed only 15. If you had to pick the more dominant individual performance, Harshal’s numbers in fewer innings make a very strong case.
What Makes a Bowler Take the Highest Wickets in One IPL Season?
Taking 25 or more wickets in a single IPL season is not easy. Several factors come into play.
- Team’s progression in the tournament: The deeper a team goes in the IPL, the more matches they play. A bowler from a team that plays all the way to the final gets 3 to 4 extra matches compared to a team that exits early. This is why Dwayne Bravo’s 32 wickets came in 18 matches because CSK reached the final.
- Death bowling skills: Most of the bowlers on this list are known for their death bowling. Yorkers, slower balls, wide yorkers and clever change of pace at the end of an innings tend to produce more wickets than bowling in the powerplay. Bravo, Harshal and Faulkner are all considered among the best death bowlers in IPL history.
- Consistency across both phases of the tournament: For a bowler to take 30 plus wickets, they need to be consistent from match one to the final. Any dip in form can cost them the Purple Cap. Harshal Patel showed this by maintaining his form across two different countries when the 2021 IPL was split between India and the UAE.
- Team’s confidence in the bowler: When a captain trusts a bowler with the ball in the toughest situations, that bowler gets more opportunities to take wickets. All the top wicket takers in a single season had the full trust of their captains.
- Wicket taking variations: The best bowlers on this list had more than one trick up their sleeve. Malinga had his round arm action and lethal yorkers. Rabada had raw pace and the ability to get the ball to jag off the pitch. Harshal had his off cutters and slower deliveries. The more variations a bowler has, the harder it is for batters to read them.
Conclusion:
The record for the highest wickets in IPL one season stands at 32, jointly held by Harshal Patel (RCB, 2021) and Dwayne Bravo (CSK, 2013). These two bowlers showed what true consistency looks like in the world’s biggest T20 league. Kagiso Rabada’s 30 wickets in 2020 is the next best, followed by Lasith Malinga and James Faulkner who both took 28 wickets in memorable seasons.
As the IPL grows bigger with more teams and more matches, it is likely that someone will challenge or even break the 32 wicket record in the coming years. Until then, Harshal Patel and Dwayne Bravo share the top spot as the greatest single season wicket takers in IPL history.
FAQs:
Harshal Patel (RCB, 2021) and Dwayne Bravo (CSK, 2013) jointly hold the record for the highest wickets in IPL one season with 32 wickets each. Bravo was the first to achieve the record in 2013, while Harshal equalled it in 2021.
Dwayne Bravo was the first bowler in IPL history to cross the 30 wicket mark in a single season. He did this in the 2013 IPL while playing for Chennai Super Kings, finishing with 32 wickets in 18 matches.
Harshal Patel is the Indian bowler with the most wickets in a single IPL season. He took 32 wickets for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2021 edition, equalling the overall IPL record set by Dwayne Bravo.
Kagiso Rabada took 30 wickets in IPL 2020 while playing for Delhi Capitals. The tournament was played in the UAE and Rabada finished as the third highest wicket taker in a single IPL season. His performance helped Delhi reach the final.
The Purple Cap is awarded to the highest wicket taker at the end of each IPL season. Dwayne Bravo is one of the few bowlers to win it twice, in 2013 and 2015. Bhuvneshwar Kumar also won it in two consecutive seasons, 2016 and 2017. The Purple Cap winner is considered the best bowler of that IPL season.
Kiran is a cricket analyst and writer with strong expertise in the Indian Premier League and modern cricket. He closely follows match situations, player performances, team strategies, and season trends to deliver clear and accurate insights. Passionate about the game, Kiran enjoys exploring emerging talents, tracking auction movements, and sharing timely updates related to IPL and competitive cricket.
