In the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL), some bowlers have distinguished themselves with their skills and tactics in taking wickets in the first over. Bowling the powerplay in T20 cricket is not an easy task, especially when the game is more in favor of the batsmen. 

In the IPL, we often see teams scoring more than 200 runs. Batsmen also attack the bowlers from the very first ball. In such a situation, some bowlers have become experts in the art of taking wickets in the first over with the new ball, which puts the opposition under pressure right from the start. 

In this article, we will discuss the list of bowlers who have taken the most wickets in 1st over of IPL.

Also Read: Most Fifties (and over) in IPL History

Most Wickets in 1st Over of IPL

1. Trent Boult | 31 Wickets 

New Zealand left-arm pacer Trent Boult has the most wickets in 1st over of IPL. He is in high demand in franchise cricket because of his exceptional ability to take wickets in the powerplay. He has played for five teams in the IPL—Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders. His total wicket tally is over 120, and 31 of them have come in the first over.

Boult played his first IPL match on April 11, 2015, against Chennai Super Kings. So far, he has taken 126 wickets in 110 matches in the league at an average of 27.14 and an economy rate of 8.35. His best performance during this period has been taking 4 wickets while giving 18 runs. His IPL win for Mumbai Indians in 2020 and his 'Player of the Match' award in the final are testament to his achievements.

2. Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 27 Wickets

When it comes to ranking some of the best bowlers in IPL history, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is right up there at the top. Although, he is not at the peak of his powers at the moment, the Indian pacer will be regarded as one of IPL's all-time greats. 

The Indian pacer holds the Indian record for taking the most wickets in 1st over of IPL. The experienced bowler can bowl at all levels in T20Is, but his main strength is taking wickets with the new ball. He has been a key player for Sunrisers Hyderabad for a long time.

Bhuvneshwar's total wickets in his IPL career are 187, the most among Indian pacers. Of these, 27 came in the first over. He won the Purple Cap in two consecutive seasons in 2016 and 2017, which is a testament to his consistency. His swing and accuracy make him a nightmare for batsmen in the first over.

3. Praveen Kumar | 15 Wickets

The right-arm seamer Praveen Kumar has the third most wickets in 1st over of IPL. He has had a 10-year-long IPL career, in which he has taken 15 wickets in the first over to his name and has deceived the batters with his immaculate control. 

Praveen has played 119 matches and picked 90 wickets at an average of 36.12. Kumar famously picked up a hat trick in the 2010 edition of the tournament against Rajasthan Royals and became the sixth player in the history of the tournament to achieve the feat.

Also Read: Most Ducks in IPL: Rohit Sharma equals Dinesh Karthik's record

4. Deepak Chahar | 14 Wickets

Deepak Chahar rose to prominence in the IPL 2018 campaign, where MS Dhoni entrusted the youngster with the new ball. There was no looking back for Chahar, as he repaid his captain’s faith in him, and has become a mainstay in the Chennai Super Kings side for the last six seasons.

Deepak Chahar generally bowls about three overs in the powerplay overs, as he is most effective with the new ball. The 31-year-old pacer has picked up 14 wickets in the first over of IPL. Overall, the talented pacer has 82 wickets in his 87 IPL matches at an average of 28.93.

Chahar has won the IPL title three times for Chennai Super Kings, and his swing bowling has played a vital role for the team.

5. Sandeep Sharma | 13 Wickets

Rajasthan Royals player Sandeep Sharma, undoubtedly one of the better bowlers with the new ball, has the fifth highest wickets in 1st over of IPL. Sandeep has 13 scalps to his name in the first over of IPL at an average of 28.92, and an economy rate of just 5.29. 

The pacer has picked up 142 wickets in 133 IPL outings at an average of 27.49. The former Sunrisers Hyderabad player’s best bowling figure in IPL came against Delhi Capitals in 2017, where he picked up four wickets, whilst conceding just 20 runs in four overs. A certain achievement in the pacer’s career is that he holds the record for dismissing Virat Kohli on most occasions in IPL. 

Also Read: Most fifty in IPL history

6. Zaheer Khan | 12 Wickets

One of the greatest bowlers in the history of Indian cricket, Zaheer Khan has 12 wickets when he bowled the first overs in the IPL. The veteran Indian pacer ranks sixth on the list of most wickets in 1st over of IPL.

In his IPL career, Zaheer has clinched 102 wickets with an appreciable economy of 7.59 in 100 matches, making him one of the best bowlers in the league. Due to his great sense of cricket, he has also captained Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals). He had a perfect blend of brawns and brain with an astute cricketing mind and ability to match.

With the IPL 2025 playoffs just around the corner, the tension is reaching its peak. Over the years, the Indian Premier League has given fans plenty of memorable moments full of surprises at the fag end of the group stage. Generally, the fans have to wait till the last over of the group stage to know who will qualify for the IPL Playoffs.

Sometimes, it even goes to the final ball as well, to decide the fourth team to qualify.

From teams that regularly reach the playoffs to underdogs who’ve shocked everyone, the path to the final four has always been full of drama. 

Let's take a look at the IPL Playoffs teams from 2008 to 2025.

Read Also | Most Wickets in IPL history

2008 | RR, KXIP, CSK, DD

2009 | DD, CSK, RCB, Deccan Chargers

2010 | MI, Deccan Chargers, CSK, RCB

Read Also | Most IPL Finals: Teams with most final appearances in IPL history

2011 | RCB, CSK, MI, KKR 

Read Also | IPL records: Most consecutive away wins in IPL history

2012 | DD, KKR, MI, CSK

2013 | CSK, MI, RR, SRH

2014 | KXIP, KKR, CSK, MI

2015 | CSK, MI, RCB, RR 

2016 | Gujarat Lions, RCB, SRH, KKR

2017 | MI, RPSG, SRH, KKR

2018 | SRH, CSK, KKR, RR

Read Also | SRH's poor performance and playoff hopes in IPL 2025: Can they rise?

2019 | MI, CSK, DC, SRH

2020 | MI, DC, SRH, RCB

2021 | DC, CSK, RCB, KKR

2022 | GT, RR, LSG, RCB

2023 | GT, LSG, CSK, MI

2024 | KKR, SRH, RR, RCB

2025 | GT, RCB, PBKS, MI

Achieving consistent playoffs mark is a big flex for IPL franchises. Some teams have made their way to the playoffs so many times that now it feels weird when they don't qualify.

We are very close to the playoffs of IPL 2025, and some teams have already booked their berth, adding a number to their playoff appearance.

So which team has qualified for IPL playoffs most times? It is time to find out.

Chennai Super Kings (12 times)

Chennai Super Kings stands as the IPL playoffs King, having qualified 12 times in their 16 seasons. This unmatched legacy grows even stronger with their title winning history.

CSK also holds the record of reaching the IPL finals most number of times (10 times), and winning 5 out of them, in the years 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023.

Read Also: Most IPL Finals: Teams with most final appearances in IPL history

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (10 times)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru reached the 10-time playoff qualification mark in IPL 2025. They were among the first three teams to qualify for the playoff this season, which made it their 10th qualification.

This side is yet to grab the title despite having qualified several times. It will be interesting to see if they can achieve that in this season itself.

Read Also: IPL Playoffs: Teams with most IPL Eliminator defeats

Mumbai Indians (10 times)

Mumbai Indians are another IPL powerhouse with exceptional playoffs record. They qualified for IPL playoffs 10 times and are also the five-time champions.

Their current position in IPL 2025 points table look pretty steady, and a win against DC would secure their spot in the playoffs, which obviously increases their count.

Can they make it to the playoffs for the 11th time? We will know soon.

Read Also: Suryavanshi touching Dhoni's feet: Here are 10 best moments of IPL 2025

Other teams with 5+ playoff qualification

Beyond individual heroics, IPL 2025 delivered some game-changing partnerships. It is now time to celebrate those batting duos with equal amount of electrifying energy and passion for the game!

Check out the highest partnerships in IPL 2025 by runs so far, and relive how these pairs dominated with the bat.

1. Shubham Gill & Sai Sudharsan (205* runs) | Gujarat Titans 

Shubham Gill and Sai Sudharsan delivered an iconic batting partnership of 205* runs against Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025. This opening pair of Gujarat Titans left the opponent's home crowd stunned by chasing down 200+ target without losing a single wicket.

They are the first batting duo to cross the 200-run mark this season, and tops the chart for highest partnerships in IPL 2025.

Sudharsan scored a phenomenal 108* runs off 61 balls, whereas Gill scored an explosive 93* off 53 balls, hitting 7 huge sixes!

They have also crossed the 100-run mark in terms of batting partnership thrice this season.

Partnership stats:

Read Also: Can Shubman Gill or Sai Sudharsan break Kohli's record of most IPL runs in a single season?

2. Travis Head & Abhishek Sharma | Sunrisers Hyderabad

Another explosive opening pair of IPL, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, showcased their power-hitting skills against Punjab Kings in IPL 2025.

This partnership was shaped by the record-breaking 141 runs off just 55 balls from Abhishek Sharma's bat, along with a quick 66 off 37 balls from Head.

This pair have showcased a glimpse of such destructive partnership against LSG back in IPL 2024, and yet again proved how Sunrisers Hyderabad are blessed to have them!

Partnership stats:

Read Also: Best Celebrations of IPL 2025 so far: From Abhishek's papercut to Hasaranga's Pushpa move

3. Vaibhav Suryavanshi & Yashasvi Jaiswal (166 runs) | Rajasthan Royals

Yashasvi Jaiswal and the youngest debutant of IPL history, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, currently holds the 3rd position for highest partnerships in IPL 2025. They pulled of a partnership of 166 runs and secured the win for Rajasthan Royals.

In this match, Vaibhav scored his maiden century to become the youngest centurion in IPL. His knock of 101 runs from 38 balls was unbelievably good, accompanied by a classy 70 runs off 40 balls from Jaiswal.

Partnership stats:

Read Also: Exclusive: "Do not call him a 'baccha', he will play T20s for India in two years," says Bihar head coach after Vaibhav Suryavanshi's historical IPL ton

Other 100+ runs partnerships in IPL 2025

Breaking records is what IPL is all about and Virat Kohli's record of 973 runs in IPL 2016 is unmatched for 9 years. IPL 2025 can be the record-breaking year, as GT's opening pair is having an incredible season with the bat, shuffling the orange cap with every match.

As we are heading towards the end of the tournament, it will be a major thing to keep an eye on.

Can Shubman Gill or Sai Sudharsan break Kohli's record of most IPL runs in a single season? Or maybe it is truly unbreakable.

How big is Virat Kohli's 973-run record?

Virat Kohli set the batting standards up in IPL 2016 that everyone talks about till date. He scored 973 runs in 16 matches with an 80+ average.

He scored 4 centuries and 7 half-centuries for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, bagging the Orange cap in that season.

This is the phenomenal record of most runs in a single IPL season that no one could break since 2016.

Read Also: Most Runs in IPL History: Virat Kohli leading the charts

Shubman Gill aims for the TOP

The only player who ever came to Kohli's record is Shubman Gill, with his 890-run season in IPL 2023. He is having another successful one in IPL 2025 and has already surpassed the 600-run mark.

The way Gill is firing this season for Gujarat Titans, he might just break the record and get in top. He scored 601 runs in 12 matches with 6 half-centuries to his name so far.

Calculating the remaining target for Shubham Gill 

With potentially 5 innings left (2 league matches + playoffs), the race is heating up. This is subject to GT to lose Qualifier 1 and get an extra innings to go play for the IPL title.

• Required: 974-601 = 373 runs more (to break Kohli's record)
• Required Avg for next 5 innings: 74.6 runs per inning
• Required Avg if they get 4 innings to play: 93.25 runs per inning

Read Also: Most Fifty Plus Scores in IPL by an Opener Since Gill's Debut

Sai Sudharsan's rising form

Sai Sudharsan is currently the leading run-scorer in the race for Orange Cap in IPL 2025. He scored 617 runs in 12 matches, with 1 century and 5 fifties to his name.

This rising star has remarkable potential to with the kind of explosive form he has right now.

Calculating the remaining target for Sai Sudharsan

As for GT, Sudharsan also gets the same number of innings as Gill. It is either 2 league matches and 2 playoff matches, or a loss in Qualifier 1 to get an extra innings, making it 5 innings in total.

• Required: 974-617 = 357 runs more (to break Kohli's record)
• Required Avg for next 5 innings: 71.4 runs per inning
• Required Avg if they get 4 innings to play: 89.25 runs per inning

Read Also: Highest individual scores by players in IPL playoffs

A look at IPL 2025 Top 5 run-scorers

Virat Kohli stands at the top 5 race for orange cap in IPL 2025. The battle will be intense to see if someone finally breaks the mountain of runs.

Or will the king himself come closest to surpassing his own legacy?

The intensity of IPL playoffs brings out extraordinary performances. Several players have set the bar high with their fearless batting skills and bagging those victories for the teams.

With the IPL 2025 playoffs approaching, it is the best time to examine the highest individual scores by players in the IPL playoffs.

Check out the full list of the highest individual scores by players in the IPL playoffs.

1. Shubham Gill (129 runs) | GT

Shubham Gill shattered all the big batting records of IPL playoffs with his unbelievable knock of 129 runs off 60 balls against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2023 Qualifier 2.

His performance as an opening batsman took Gujarat Titans to a huge total of 233 runs, which they defended comfortably and booked their final berth.

This groundbreaking knock tops the chart for the highest individual scores by players in IPL playoffs.

Read Also: Most IPL Finals: Teams with most final appearances in IPL history

2. Virender Sehwag (122 runs) | PBKS

Virender Sehwag's 122 runs off 58 balls against CSK was the long-standing record of the highest individual score in playoffs for 9 years.

This sensational knock in Qualifier 2 helped Punjab Kings reach the IPL final for the first time.

3. Shane Watson (117* runs) | CSK

The Australian legend, Shane Watson, holds the third position with his 117* runs from 57 balls against SRH in the IPL 2018 Final.

His phenomenal performance led the Chennai Super Kings to their third IPL victory.

Watson smashed 11 fours and 8 sixes, with a strike rate above 200.

Read Also: Safest hands: Most catches in IPL history

4. Wriddhiman Saha (115* runs) | PBKS

An incredible season for the boy of Bengal, Wriddhiman Saha, who dominated till the very end against KKR in the IPL 2014 Final. He scored an unbeaten 115 runs from just 55 balls and helped PBKS reach a defendable total. Saha's ton was the first ton ever scored in an IPL final.

Even though Kolkata Knight Riders pulled off a brilliant victory in that match, Saha's performance won the hearts of the fans!

5. Murali Vijay (113 runs) | CSK

Murali Vijay single-handedly took CSK to a humongous total in the Qualifier 2 of IPL 2012. His remarkable contribution of 113 runs from 58 balls made things easier for their team.

With this victory against Delhi Capitals, CSK headed towards the Final and Murali Vijay was rewarded player of the match.

Read Also: Most Sixes in an innings by an Indian in IPL

6. Rajat Patidar (112*) | RCB

Rajat Patidar has proven to be one of the impactful figures for Royal Challengers Bengaluru ever since his debut in 2021. He left a stellar lasting impression with his knock of 112* runs from 54 balls against LSG in IPL 2022 Eliminator.

His contribution was extremely crucial for the team as their batting line-up collapsed early in the first innings. However, RCB successfully defeated LSG to move ahead in the tournament, with credit to Patidar.