The veteran Sri Lanka speedstar, Lasith Malinga retires from all forms of cricket on Tuesday. Lasith Malinga made his One Day International debut on 17th July, 2004 and T20I debut on 15th June, 2006. Malinga has played 226 ODI matches and 83 T20I matches in his career. However, Lasith Malinga has bowled 10936 balls and taken 338 wickets. He had an average of 28.87 and an economy rate of 5.35. While in T20I, he scalps 107 wickets in 1799 balls that he bowled. In T20Is, Malinga had an average of 20.79 and an economy rate of 7.42. Though, Malinga is not known for his red ball skills. But, he took 101 wickets with an average of 33.16 in the 59 innings he played.

Also Read : IPL 2021: Number of matches each team needs to win to qualify for playoffs

Malinga is the only bowler in the world with two World Cup hat-tricks, three ODI hat-tricks and four wickets in four consecutive balls in any form of International cricket. He retired from all forms of cricket on 14th September, 2021. Malinga was named as the official event ambassador for the World Twenty20 Championships by ICC. Malinga is not only the highest wicket-taker for Sri Lanka in T20 Internationals but also the highest wicket-taker in IPL till now. And SportzPoint.com has comes with all the records of the veteran pacer from Sri Lanka.

However, let's look into the golden records created by the Sri Lanka Legend Lasith Malinga in the world of cricket.

Test career :

• Malinga took 6 wickets in his debut Test on 1 July 2004 against Australia. In the 2006-07 tour of New Zealand, he derailed the opposition's top order, helping Sri Lanka draw the series.
• However, Malinga announced his retirement from Test cricket on 22 April, 2011 in order to prolong his career in ODI and T20 cricket.
• He played 30 Tests and took 101 wickets at an average of 33.16, with the best bowling figure of 9 for 210.

Read Also : Cricket News: Lasith Malinga retires from all forms of cricket

ODI career :

Lasith Malinga made his ODI debut in Sri Lanka's opening match of the 2004 Asia Cup against the United Arab Emirates. Malinga has played 226 ODI matches in his career. In which he scalps 338 wickets with an average of 28.87 and the best bowling figure of 6/38.

• During the 2007 Cricket World Cup Super 8 match between Sri Lanka and South Africa, Malinga became the first player to take four wickets in four consecutive balls in ODIs. This was only the fifth hat-trick in World Cup history, the third ODI hat-trick for Sri Lanka and the 24th overall in ODIs.
• He became the first bowler to take two World Cup hat-tricks after he scalped three wickets in as many balls against Kenya during the 2011 Cricket World Cup.
• In August 2011, he took a hat-trick against Australia to become the first bowler to take three hat-tricks in ODI cricket.
• Malinga was included to the ODI squad for 2017 ICC Champions Trophy in June 2017, in which he took his 300th ODI wicket by dismissing Virat Kohli.
• On 13th October 2018 against England in the second ODI of the series, Malinga took his 8th five-wicket haul. Moreover, he also completed the 500 international wickets mark. In April 2019, he was named in Sri Lanka's squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup. And this was his last appearance in the World Cup stage.

Also Read : IPL 2021: Number of matches each team needs to win to qualify for playoffs

T20I career :

Lasith Malinga made his T20I debut against England in 15th June, 2006. He has played 83 T20I matches in his career. In which he scalps 107 wickets with an average of 20.79 and the best bowling figure of 5/6.

• Malinga was named captain of the Sri Lankan cricket team in 2014 ICC World Twenty20; the team won the trophy. He is the highest wicket-taker for Sri Lanka in T20Is with 96 wickets.
• In April 2017, he took a hat-trick in T20 match against Bangladesh, becoming the second Sri Lankan and fifth overall to take a T20I hat-trick.
• He has taken 4 international hat-tricks, which is most by a Sri Lankan player and joint highest along with Pakistan's Wasim Akram.
• Malinga has played 83 T20Is for Sri Lanka and taken 107 wickets

IPL career :

Read Also : IPL 2021: Most wickets in IPL history

Malinga has played for Mumbai Indians in Indian Premier League (IPL) from 2009 to 2019. In the first match for Mumbai Indians in the fourth season, he got 5 wickets against Delhi Daredevils. Malinga is the all time highest wicket taker of IPL till now. His best bowling figure in club-level T20s is 6 for 7 for Melbourne Stars against Perth Scorchers in December 2012, the only six-wicket haul taken the Australian Big Bash League.

• Playing for Mumbai Indians, he won the Purple Cap award (most wickets) in the fourth season of Indian Premier League with 28 scalps in 16 matches.
• Mumbai Indians did not buy him during 2018 IPL Auctions, but named him bowling mentor for the side.
• He has so far played 127 games for Mumbai Indians in IPL and Champions League T20 and is the highest wicket-taker for the franchise with 179 scalps at an economy rate of 6.88. In 2019, he was again bought by Mumbai Indians.
• In IPL, Malinga has so far played 122 matches, in which he has taken 170 wickets at an average of 19.80 and the best bowling figure of 5/13.

N.B : The stats are accurate as of 15/09/2021.

We have all heard multiple times that T20 cricket is a batter’s game. However, one thing is to be noted that it is a bowler who turns the game for his team most times. The teams across the world have understood the fact that they need a good set of bowlers to win a tournament. This is true in the biggest T20 tournament IPL as well.

Over the years, it has been seen that teams who possess quality bowlers perform quite well, while those who struggle in this department generally lag behind.

So, let's take a look at the bowlers with the most wickets in IPL history.

Also Read: Fastest 50 IPL Wickets Among Pacers (by Matches)

Top 10 bowlers with most wickets in IPL history:

10. Ravindra Jadeja | 166 Wickets

Ravindra Jadeja is easily the most well-rounded cricketer India has ever produced. A major portion of his success needs to be credited to the IPL, as the Saurashtra superstar built his international career by learning in the IPL under cricketing greats like Shane Warne, MS Dhoni, Stephen Fleming, and others. 

Apart from missing the 2010 season, Ravindra Jadeja has played all the other seasons with him representing Chennai Super Kings (CSK) since 2012. He has played 249 games taking 166 wickets with the ball with an average of 30.43 and an economy rate of 7.64.

His generational fielding skills have also shined, as the 36-year-old has taken 103 catches in the competition, making him ‘The Ultimate All-rounder’ as he is the only player to have 1000+ runs, 100+ wickets, and 100+ catches, fulfilling his 3-dimensional abilities to the fullest. 

9. Lasith Malinga | 170 Wickets

Lasith Malinga, who is undoubtedly the greatest pacer in the IPL history has taken 170 wickets in 122 games he has played. Malinga averages 19.79 with the bowl and maintained an economy rate of 7.14 in the cash-rich league. 

Though 108 of these wickets have come in death overs where batters try to score at a faster pace and often get out in the process, still his overall numbers are too good to be questioned.

Malinga started playing for Mumbai Indians in the 2009 season, and last appeared in the 2019 season. His final over in the 2019 final was enough to prove his greatness even at that stage of his career.

8. Amit Mishra | 174 Wickets

The next bowler on the list is Indian leggie Amit Mishra who has picked 174 wickets in 162 games. The eighth-highest wicket-taker in the history of IPL, Mishra, went unsold in the mega auction of IPL 2025. 

He has recorded an impressive economy of 7.37 in the league and has been crucial in taking wickets in middle overs. However, previously he has played for Lucknow Super Giants.

7. Jasprit Bumrah | 174 Wickets

Jasprit Bumrah, the game-changer of the game has put his name at no. 7 on this list of bowlers who scalped the most wickets in IPL history. Bumrah has been playing for Mumbai Indians since the 2013 season, in which the franchise bought him at a cheap price.

Bumrah has scalped 174 wickets in 139 games with an average of 22.38. Meanwhile, Bumrah has bowled at an economy rate of 7.30 in the franchise cricket league. This year he is playing for MI again as the franchise retained him before the mega auction.

6. Dwayne Bravo | 183 Wickets 

Dwayne Bravo with 183 wickets is the sixth name on the list. Bravo had been a vital cog in Chennai’s bowling lineup, particularly in the death overs. With MS Dhoni being captain, Bravo’s potential has been used very cleverly for the team’s benefit. 

The all-rounder has played 161 IPL games and averages 23.82 with the ball. He played his last IPL match in the 2022 season for Chennai.

Also Read: IPL Facts: Best Economy in IPL Since 2024

5. Ravichandran Ashwin | 185 Wickets

Ravichandran Ashwin is always known as a great bowler in Test cricket but he has also proved his ability in the shortest format of the game. Meanwhile, Ash comes at number five on this list of bowlers with the most wickets in IPL history. 

Ashwin has picked 185 wickets in 219 matches with an average of 30.22. He has also maintained an economy rate of 7.18. 

Ashwin went on to play for Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals, and returns to the CSK fold after having featured for Rajasthan Royals for the last three seasons.

The Indian off-spinner was bought by Chennai Super Kings for Rs. 9.75 crore at the IPL 2025 auction. Ashwin had burst onto the scene in 2009 with CSK under the captaincy of MS Dhoni. He represented Super Kings till 2015 and was part of two title-winning campaigns, in 2010 and 2011. 

4. Sunil Narine | 190* Wickets

The next bowler on this is none other than the West Indies magician Sunil Narine. Narine has taken 190 wickets in 186 games with an average of 25.39 and bowls with an economy rate of 6.77. 

He has been a crucial member of the Kolkata-based franchise KKR, as the franchise won the league back in 2012, 2014, and 2024.

Narine has also played as an opener under Gambhir's captaincy. However, currently, he is with the KKR franchise as they retain the off-spinner before the IPL 2025 mega auction.

3. Piyush Chawla | 192 Wickets

Piyush Chawla, who was bought by Mumbai Indians for IPL 2021 in the mini-auction is the third-highest wicket-taker in the league history. He has picked 192 wickets in 192 matches with an average of 26.60 and an economy being 7.96. 

Piyush Chawla has earlier featured for Chennai, Punjab, and Kolkata-based franchises in the cash-rich league.

Over the last two years, Chawla was the lead spinner for Mumbai Indians. But, no teams went for him in IPL 2025 auction.

2. Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 193 Wickets

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, with 193 wickets is the second name in this list of players with the most wickets in IPL. Bhuvi has played in 185 matches in which he took those 193 wickets at an average of 27.01. However, he has bowled with an economy rate of 7.60 in the league. 

Meanwhile, Bhuvi is playimg for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchise as they bought him in the IPL 2025 mega auction at a whopping 10.75 crore price.

Also Read: Most Dot Balls Bowled in IPL History: No one is catching Bhuvi

1. Yuzvendra Chahal | 214 Wickets

Yuzvendra Chahal has taken the most wickets in IPL history. Chahal has played in 169 games in which he has scalped 214 wickets with an average of 22.63. Moreover, he has an economy of 7.90 in the league.

Previously Chahal has played for RCB till 2021 and this season he is featuring the Punjab Kings as they bought him in the IPL 2025 mega auction.

Chahal was with Rajasthan Royals since the 2022 season, claiming 66 wickets in 46 games. He has also represented Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Mumbai Indians earlier in the IPL. He is among the 19 bowlers to have claimed a hat-trick in the IPL.

The leg-break bowler also won the Purple Cap for being the leading wicket-taker during the 2022 season, with 27 wickets to his name in 17 games at an average of 19.51 and an economy of 7.75.

Mumbai Indians are one of the most successful teams in IPL history. They’ve won the title five times and are known for having some of the best bowlers in the league.

Throughout the seasons, MI has produced some of the finest bowling talents of the modern era. The combination of legendary pacers and crafty spinners has played a huge role in their success.  

Read Also | Fastest 50 IPL Wickets Among Pacers (by Matches)

1. Jasprit Bumrah (2013-present, 174* wickets)

Since his debut in 2013, Jasprit Bumrah has been the leader of MI's bowling attack. He is known for his pin-point yorkers, deceptive slower balls and as a death over specialist. With 174 wickets, Bumrah has surpassed Lasith Malinga as the highest wicket taker for MI including his best figures 5/10.

2. Lasith Malinga (2009-2019, 170 wickets)

Slinga Malinga is undoubtedly MI's one of the most iconic players. Known for his deadly yorkers and unorthodox bowling action, Malinga was MI's leading wicket taker throught the seasons. With the best figures of 5/13, he was the purple cap holder in the 4th edition of the IPL.

3. Harbhajan Singh (2008-2017, 127 wickets)

The Turbanator, Harbhajan Singh was a crucial bowler during his tenure in MI. Being an experienced off-spinner, he provided control and important break-throughs in the middle overs. His best bowling figures of 5/18 came in the 4th edition and he also played an important role in MI's 1st title.

4. Mitchell McClenaghan (2015-2019, 71 wickets)

McClenaghan was known for aggressive bowling which helped him bag wickets during crucial moments. With his fierce pace, the kiwi added firepower to MI's bowling attack. He has the best bowling figure of 4/21 against Gujrat Lions in the 2016 season.

5. Kieron Pollard (2010-2022, 69 wickets)

Being an all-rounder, Kieron Pollard has made some key contributions as a medium pacer for MI. Often called the "man with the golden arm", Pollard had knack for breaking partnerships during crunch situations. He has his career-best figures of 4/44 against the Rajasthan Royals.

6. Hardik Pandya (2015- 2025, 65* wickets)

The current captain of MI, Hardik Pandya is known for his versatility in his bowling. Though he can be expensive at times, Pandya has delivered wickets during the powerplay, middle overs, and at the death. With the best figures of 5/36, he has been one of the key players for MI over many years.

Read Also | IPL 2024: Hardik Pandya becomes the new captain of Mumbai Indians

7. Krunal Pandya (2016-2021, 51* wickets)

Krunal Pandya was known for his tight bowling during the middle overs. With his economical bowling, he had the ability to control the run-rate and bowl during pressure situations. Krunal proved to be a valuable asset to the MI's squad and has the best bowling figures of 5/36.

In the Indian Premier League, there is not only a rain of runs but also a flurry of wickets. In the world's most popular league, while the batsmen have scored mountains of runs, the bowlers have also taken heaps of wickets. 

In Match 42 of IPL 2025, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru claimed their first home win, defeating the Rajasthan Royals by 11 runs. Josh Hazlewood starred with 4/33 in four overs. With this, he also reached 50 IPL wickets in just 36 matches, the joint-fourth 50 IPL wickets among pacers.

Also Read: IPL Facts: Most Fifty Plus Scores in T20s

In this article, we will be discussing about the fastest 50 IPL wickets among pacers.

Fastest 50 IPL Wickets Among Pacers

5. Mitchell McClenaghan | 36

Mitchell McClenaghan, the former Kiwi bowler is the joint-fourth fastest pacer to 50 IPL wickets, having taken just 36 matches. He achieved the feat during the 2016 season while playing for MI against the Delhi Capitals, returning with figures of 2/37.

Overall, he claimed 71 wickets in 56 matches at an average of 25.39, including a four-wicket haul with best figures of 4/21.

4. Josh Hazlewood | 36*

As mentioned, the RCB pacer is now the joint-fourth fastest to 50 IPL wickets, reaching the mark in just 36 matches. His milestone wicket came against RR, when he dismissed Shimron Hetmyer for 11, his third wicket of the match.

With this performance, Hazlewood now has 16 wickets in nine matches this season and 51 wickets overall in his 36-match IPL career.

3. Khaleel Ahmed | 35

Khaleel Ahmed ranks third on this list, reaching 50 IPL wickets in 35 matches. He achieved the milestone in 2023, dismissing Nicholas Pooran while playing for Dehli Capitals against Lucknow Super Giants.

Notably, he is the fastest Indian bowler to do so, having broken Amit Mishra's 37-match record. Playing for CSK this season, Ahmed has raced to 85 wickets in 65 matches.

2. Lasith Malinga | 33

Former Sri Lankan veteran bowler Lasith Malinga is in third place in terms of taking fastest 50 IPL Wickets among pacers, having bagged 50 IPL wickets in 33 matches. Malinga achieved the feat with a stunning 5/13 against Delhi Capitals in the fourth match of IPL 2011.

A one-franchise man, Malinga played his entire IPL career with Mumbai Indians, finishing with 170 wickets in 122 matches at an average of 19.79, including six four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul.

Also Read: Most Dot Balls Bowled in IPL History: No one is catching Bhuvi

1. Kagiso Rabada | 27

Kagiso Rabada is the fastest pacer to reach 50 IPL wickets, doing so in just 27 matches, surpassing Lasith Malinga's longstanding record of 33 matches. He achieved this milestone in 2019 against Chennai Super Kings, dismissing Faf du Plessis in the 15th over while playing for Delhi Capitals.

Debuting in 2017, Rabada now owns 119 wickets in 82 IPL matches, including six four-wicket hauls.

A total of 20 matches have been played in IPL 2025 till April 7 and most of the matches have been exciting. Many records have been made in these matches on the basis of the excellent performance of the batsmen and bowlers. 

At the same time, if we talk about the most wickets for a pacer in IPL then Royal Challengers Bengaluru pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar overtook West Indies legend Dwayne Bravo to become the pacer with the most wickets in the history of the Indian Premier League.

Bhuvneshwar achieved this milestone during the IPL match against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium. During the match, Bhuvneshwar gave away 48 runs but got a crucial wicket of Tilak Varma, who threatened to take the game away from RCB.

Also Read: MI vs RCB: Most Wickets against RCB in IPL

In this article, we will be discussing about the most wickets for a pacer in IPL. 

Most Wickets for a pacer in IPL

4. Jasprit Bumrah | 165 Wickets

One of the most lethal pacers in modern-day cricket, Jasprit Bumrah has been Mumbai Indians’ spearhead since his debut. He has taken 165 wickets in 134 matches, with a best performance of 5/10, finishing as the team’s leading-wicket taker during three title-winning campaigns (2017, 2019 and 2020). His ability to bowl in the powerplay and nail yorkers at the death makes him a standout bowler.

Bumrah made his long-awaited injury comeback after he was picked in the Mumbai Indians Playing XI for the IPL 2025 encounter against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The 31-year-old has been missing from action since he suffered a back problem during the final Test of India’s series defeat against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

3. Lasith Malinga | 170 Wickets

Arguably the greatest fast bowler in IPL history, Lasith Malinga was a key figure in Mumbai Indians’ success. With his deadly yorkers and deceptive slower balls, he took 170 wickets in 122 matches, boasting a stunning best of 5/13. His economy rate of 7.14 and strike rate of 16.62 highlight his dominance.

Malinga made his debut for his only IPL team Mumbai Indians, in the year 2009. He bagged a purple cap in 2011 for his exceptional performance of 28 wickets in just 16 matches.

2. Dwayne Bravo | 183 Wickets

Former West Indies cricketer Dwayne Bravo is at second place in the list of most wickets for a pacer in IPL. Bravo's slower balls and variations made him a CSK legend. He remains one of IPL's most iconic and successful death over specialist. 

Bravo, who last played in the IPL in 2022, has 183 scalps to his name. Bravo has played a total of 161 matches in IPL for three different teams. His best performance was 4 wickets for 22 runs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar broke Bravo's record against Mumbai in Wankhede.

Also Read: Most Wickets in IPL as a Captain

1. Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 184 Wickets

RCB's fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar has the most wickets in IPL as a pacer. Kumar has taken 184 wickets in 179 matches. His best performance is 5 wickets for 19 runs. 

The right-arm swing bowler is also the third-highest wicket-taker in the IPL. Above him are Punjab Kings (PBKS) spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (206 wickets in 162 matches at an average of 22.83 and best figures of 5/40) and Piyush Chawla (192 wickets in 192 matches at an average of 26.60, with best figures of 4/17). 

Bhuvi is one of the finest bowlers in the history of the IPL, and is still going strong at the age of 35. He played for Pune Warriors initially, and then was the one of the pillars of SRH unit for a long time. He played a big role in their success and picked wickets both with the new ball and at the death, and is now doing the same for RCB in IPL 2025.

The ninth edition of the Champions Trophy will be played in Pakistan and UAE from February 19 to March 9. 

This tournament was first played in the year 1998 and a total of eight editions have taken place so far. 

Also Read: Most Runs in Champions Trophy

Now the tournament is finally going to be back after eight years since its last edition in England and Wales in 2017, where the current hosts Pakistan were crowned champions for the first time after defeating arch-rivals India in the final. 

Teams which finished in top eight after the league stage of the 2023 ODI World Cup, including the hosts Pakistan, are divided into two groups of four teams each for the upcoming edition. 

Throughout the years, there have been several bowlers who have made their mark in Champions Trophy with their performances.

Let's take a look at the bowlers with most Wickets in Champions Trophy history.

Most Wickets in Champions Trophy | Top 5 List

#1 Kyle Mills | 28 Wickets 

Former New Zealand bowler Kyle Mills is at number one among the most successful bowlers of the Champions Trophy. 

The right-arm pacer has finished among leading wicket-takers multiple times during his Champions Trophy stint from 2002 to 2013.

The Kiwi pacer has taken 28 wickets in 15 innings at an economy of 4.29 and an average of 17.25 in the history of this tournament. 

His best performance during this period has been 4 wickets for 30 runs.

2# Lasith Malinga | 25 Wickets 

Former Sri Lanka pacer Lasith Malinga is the second-highest wicket-taker in Champions Trophy.

The right-arm fast bowler has taken 25 wickets in 16 matches at an economy of 5.31 and an average of 30.64 in the Champions Trophy from 2006 to 2017.

During this period, Malinga's best performance has been 4 wickets for 34 runs.

3# Muttiah Muralidaran | 24 Wickets 

Sri Lanka's great spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is at third place in this list. 

Muralitharan has taken 24 wickets in 17 matches of the Champions Trophy from 1998 to 2009 with an economy of 3.60 and an average of 20.16. 

During this period, his best performance was 4 wickets for 15 runs.

Muralitharan was the leading wicket-taker in the 2002 Champions Trophy, where Sri Lanka shared the trophy with India in a rain-affected final. 

Also Read: ICC Men's Champions trophy winners list

4# Brett Lee | 22 Wickets

Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee has taken 22 wickets from 16 matches in Champions Trophy from 2000 to 2009 at an economy of 4.79 and an average of 26.86. 

During this period, His best performance has been 3 wickets for 38 runs.

He also played a monumental role in Australia’s back-to-back title campaigns in 2006 and 2009 respectively. 

5# Glenn McGrath | 21 Wickets 

Australia’s fast bowling great, Glenn McGrath is the fifth highest wicket-taker in Champions Trophy. 

The right-arm pacer has taken 21 wickets from 12 matches in Champions Trophy from 2000 to 2006 at an economy of 4.03 and an average of 19.61. 

During this period, McGrath's best performance was 5 wickets for 37 runs.

He finished as the highest wicket-taker for Australia in their maiden title campaign in 2006.