Team India registered a dominating win in the second Test against England at Lord's to stamp their authority over the hosts. The victory became more iconic due to the on-field altercations between players of both teams which happened on Day 3 and Day 5 of the match.

The things gets a heat on the final phase of Day 3 when James Anderson came to bat and India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah decided to attack him with the barrage of short balls. Anderson looked very uncomfortable against the Indian pacer but he survived his over. However, Shami castled him on the final ball of the day. After which Anderson was having some words with Bumrah where the veteran Englishman seemed miffed. Recently, speaking in Tailenders podcast, Anderson recalled the whole incident and said he was caught off guard due to the pace of Bumrah which was about 90 miles an hour

Also Read : How Bharat Arun Helped Mohammed Siraj Become a World-Class Bowler!

What did James Anderson said ?

"I got caught off guard a little bit because all the batters coming in were saying how slow the pitch was," Anderson said. "Banged in short; it was really slow. When I came out to bat, Joe said Bumrah was not bowling as quick as he normally does. And then, the first ball was 90 miles an hour and on the money, wasn't it? And it felt like, I haven't felt like this ever in my career. I felt he wasn't trying to get me out," Anderson elaborated.

"I felt he wasn't trying to get me out. He bowled an over, maybe 10, 11, 12 balls. He was bowling no-ball after no-ball, bowling short. I think he bowled two on the stumps which I managed to dig out. So for me, it was just about trying to survive that and get Joe back on strike," he added.

Read Also : Most Wickets In Test Cricket : James Anderson

The veteran pacer further elaborated and said he felt that Bumrah was not trying to get him out. Interestingly, Bumrah bowled a few no-balls in that over which stretched it further as Anderson survived a couple of body blows. Meanwhile, on Day 5, English pacers also attacked Bumrah with short balls but he stood strong played a fighting knock of unbeaten 34 runs which laid a platform for India's emphatic win.

As the ICC World Test Championship 2023-2025 is getting closer to the grand final, it is now time to look back at the bowlers with standout performances. They have constantly troubled batsmen which led to their team's success.

Who do you think are the ones with most wickets? Take a look at the highest wicket-takers in WTC 2023-25.

Jasprit Bumrah | India

Jasprit Bumrah had a remarkable campaign in WTC 2023-25 cycle and has taken the most number of wickets. He took 77 wickets in 15 matches, with an average of 15.09. 

Bumrah recorded five 5-wicket hauls in the cycle and also had his best bowling figure of 6/45 in an innings against England.

Read Also: Jasprit Bumrah becomes first-ever player to pick 200 Test wickets with an average below 20

Jasprit Bumrah stats in WTC 2023-2025

Pat Cummins | Australia 

The Australian skipper, Pat Cummins, has done wonders with the ball, by taking 73 wickets in 17 matches. He is the leading wicket taker for Australia and can also be on top by showcasing his wicket-taking skills in the WTC final against South Africa. 

His best bowling performance in the tournament was a 6-wicket haul for 91 runs.

Pat Cummins stats in WTC 2023-2025

Read Also: WTC Final: Australia and South Africa announce their squads

Mitchell Starc | Australia 

Yet another Australian legend to feature in this list, who is just behind Cummins by one wicket. This fiery left-arm pacer have always been a key bowling of their team. He took 72 wickets in 18 matches total.

Mitchell Starc's best bowling figure in WTC 2023-25 includes a 6-wicket haul for 48 runs.

Mitchell Starc stats in WTC 2023-2025

Other players with 60+ wickets in WTC 2023-25

Seems like the Aussies and Indians have purely dominated the bowling sides and got most wickets up their sleeves.

Read Also: Fav four in Test cricket: Kohli vs Root vs Williamson vs Smith stats in Tests

Here are the other players who crossed the 60 wickets mark and deserves a shoutout in the list of highest wicket-takers in WTC 2023-25.

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.

Mumbai Indians have made IPL history by becoming the first team to defend a total of 200 or more runs in five consecutive matches. They have achieved this after beating Lucknow Super Giants by 54 runs in the afternoon clash.

This record feat shows their strong batting line up supported by a confident and effective bowling attack that’s been handling pressure effortlessly.

Read Also | IPL Stats: Rohit Sharma stats as Mumbai Indians captain 

MI's streak

1. MI vs LSG, IPL 2025 Match 45 

Opener Ryan Rickelton and Suryakumar Yadav smashed half centuries to set the tone as MI posted a formidable total of 215. Jasprit Bumrah and Trent bolt took crucial wickets to bowl out LSG for 161 and win by 54 runs.

2. MI vs DC, IPL 2025 Match 29

MI posted a total of 205 with an all-round bating performance and snatched the match out of DC's grasp with 3 consecutive runouts in the 19th over.

3. MI vs DC, IPL 2024 Match 20

Both the openers of MI fired as they posted a massive total of 234 and defended it by quickly chipping through their middle order with Gerald Coetzee standing out taking 4 wickets.

4. MI vs GT, IPL 2023 Match 57

Suryakumar Yadav's unbeaten 103 helped MI post 218 on the board. GT's top order failed to give a good start with Rashid Khan giving some hopes but came too late in the chase as MI won the match by 27 runs.

5. MI vs SRH, IPL 2021 Match 55

Ishan kishan and Suryakumar Yadav's innings helped MI post a massive total of 235 which was defended with an all-round bowling performance winning the match by 42 runs.

Reasons for the unbeaten record

• Aggressive Batting-  The top and middle-order batters have been consistently firing. Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav have laid solid foundations, while the likes of Tilak Varma, and Hardik Pandya have provided fireworks.
• Strategic Bowling- Jasprit Bumrah’s form has been a massive boost. Combined with the clever variations from Deepak Chahar, the pace of Trent Boult, and the all-round contributions from Hardik Pandya, MI has found a winning combination.
• Strong Leadership- Despite early criticisms, the leadership has found its rhythm. Smart field placements, timely bowling changes, and calm under pressure have played key roles in the streak.

Read Also | Top 5 game-changing factors that could send MI to IPL 2025 Playoffs

Coming up next for MI

After the win versus LSG, MI have climbed to number 3 position in the points table securing their 5th consecutive win in this tournament. The last time MI did that, they went on to win the title. The upcoming fixtures of MI:

If MI continues with their current form then they are surely one of the top contenders for the 2025 IPL title.

Many Indian bowlers have distinguished themselves with their unique bowling styles, which sometimes have also been referred to as weird. In cricket, minor styles and actions like this can grab the attention of spectators and get them hooked. 

Jasprit Bumrah 

Jasprit Bumrah is among one of the anticipated names for this category. His unorthodox action with a hyperextended arm caught everyone's attention during his IPL debut for MI, back in 2013. 

Bumrah was trolled in the initial stage of his career for the kind of elbow placement and compact run-up in his bowling style, which looks odd.

Regardless of what people say, his action indeed adds a unique value to his incredible bowling.

Shivil Kaushik

Shivil Kaushik is an Indian spin bowler who played for Gujarat Lions in IPL 2016. He stood-out during his IPL debut because of his peculiar action that several spectators found bizarre.

His action closely resonates with the former South African cricketer Paul Adams, who was often described as a “frog in a blender.” Since then, Shivil became a mandatory part among Indian players with unusual bowling actions.

Read Also: Best bowling figure in IPL History: Akash Madhwal equals Kumble's record

Debashish Mohanty

The former Indian cricketer, Debashish Mohanty is an ideal fit for the list due to his open-chested action, appearing weird in a way. Mohanty’s action with his lanky frame was often considered more dangerous than his swing bowling.

This kind of action was quite exhausting, and he was once advised to bowl off-spin in order to save energy and prevent injuries.

Kedar Jadhav 

Kedar Jadhav, the former Indian off-spin bowler, is widely known for his unusual side-arm sling style. His hand almost aligned with the umpire’s belly at the time of releasing the ball, which resulted in slower deliveries with little bounce.

Jhadav’s extraordinary style as a spinner holds a solid place in the list for Indian players with unusual bowling actions.

K.C. Cariappa

K.C Cariappa is an Indian bowler, who played for teams like Kings XI Punjab, KKR and RR in IPL. He is known to be a “mystery spinner” with an unusual round-arm action. His ability to bowl off-spin without changing the grip was challenging for batsmen.

B.S Chandrashekhar

Legendary leg-spinner B.S Chandrashekhar had an unusual whipping action accompanied by a long and bouncy run up which was hard to predict for a batter. He is one of the Indian players with unusual bowling actions and the greatest leg-spinners.

Also Read: The Most Memorable Test Centuries in Cricket History

Kamran Khan

Kamran Khan is an Indian fast-medium bowler, who played for Rajasthan Royals and Pune Warriors in the early seasons of IPL. His slung action was a debatable topic of discussion back in the days.

Khan’s unusual action caused trouble for him as he had to face rehabilitation period when the matter of “illegal action” came into light.

Murugan Ashwin

Murugan Ashwin is an Indian spin bowler who gained recognition after his IPL debut for RPS in 2016. He later played for teams like MI, RR, PBKS and DC. His bowling action has a degree of mystery to it, with an unusual twist of the arm and wrist.

Read Also: Most Player of the Match awards in T20I cricket history

Manoj Tiwary

Manoj Tiwary is an Indian batter who occasionally bowls with a weird action. He was faced with trolling, and people called it strange after his bowling spell in a match in IPL 2018.

His action was also compared to the slingy style of Lasith Malinga, recreated as a spin bowler.