In the 14th match of the IPL 2024, Rajasthan Royals (RR) fast bowler Trent Boult took 3 wickets while bowling lethally against Mumbai Indians (MI). Due to his devastating bowling at the Wankhede Stadium, MI could only score 125/9 despite playing the entire over. After that, Boult has now become the bowler taking the joint highest wicket in the first over in IPL. He has taken 25 wickets (80 innings) while bowling the first over of the innings. Let's take a look at the bowlers with 'Most Wickets in 1st Over of IPL'. 

Also Read: ICC World Cup 2011: Where is every player from that victorious Indian team now?

Most Wickets in 1st Over of IPL

1. Trent Boult | 25 Wickets 

Rajasthan Royals fast bowler Trent Boult has the most wickets in 1st over of IPL. He has become the joint-highest wicket-taker after the 14th match of the IPL 2024 with 25 Wickets (80 innings) in 486 balls. Boult got Rohit Sharma (0) caught out by wicketkeeper Sanju Samson on the 5th ball of the first over of the match. He then showed the way to the pavilion to Naman Dhir (0) on the very next ball. This is the 5th time that Boult has taken 2 wickets in the opening over of the innings. After him, Dale Steyn, Praveen Kumar and Umesh Yadav have done this 2 times each. 

Boult played his first IPL match on April 11, 2015, against Chennai Super Kings. So far, he has taken 110 wickets in 91 matches in the league at an average of 26.12 and an economy rate of 8.28. His best performance during this period has been taking 4 wickets while giving 18 runs. Before RR in his career, Boult has played for Delhi Capitals (DC), MI, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

2. Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 25 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 Sunrisers Hyderabad pacer has picked up 25 wickets in the first over of the IPL. Bhuvi has the joint most wickets in the first over of IPL. He has taken 25 wickets in 696 balls but Boult reigns supreme at the top as he took just 486 balls to reach the mark. In 132 IPL matches, Bhuvi has picked up 142 wickets and is effective with both, the new ball and in the death overs.

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. Sandeep Sharma | 13 Wickets 

Rajasthan Royals player Sandeep Sharma, undoubtedly one of the better bowlers with the new ball, has the fourth 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 30-year-old pacer has picked up 125 wickets in 118 IPL outings at an average of 27.65. 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. 

5. Deepak Chahar | 12 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 12 wickets in the first over of IPL, at an average of 39.90, and an economy rate of 6.76. Overall, the talented pacer has 75 wickets in his 76 IPL matches at an average of 28.35. 

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 fifth 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.

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: IPL 2025: Squads of every IPL team after the auction

Top 10 bowlers with most wickets in IPL history:

10. Ravindra Jadeja | 160* 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 240 games taking 160 wickets with the ball with an average of 30.40 and an economy rate of 7.62.

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. Jasprit Bumrah | 165* Wickets

Jasprit Bumrah, the game-changer of the game has put his name at no. 9 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 165 wickets in 133 games with an average of 22.51. Meanwhile, Bumrah has bowled at an economy rate of 7.30 in the franchise cricket league. This year he will be playing for MI again as the franchise retained him before the mega auction.

8. 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.

7. Amit Mishra | 174 Wickets

The next bowler on the list is Indian leggie Amit Mishra who has picked 174 wickets in 162 games. The seventh-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.

6. Ravichandran Ashwin | 180* 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 six on this list of bowlers with the most wickets in IPL history. 

Ashwin also has picked 180 wickets in 212 matches with an average of 29.82. He has also maintained an economy rate of 7.12. 

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. 

5. Sunil Narine | 180* Wickets

The next bowler on this is none other than the West Indies magician Sunil Narine. Narine has taken 180 wickets in 176 games with an average of 25.39 and bowls with an economy rate of 6.73. 

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.

4. Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 181* Wickets

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, with 181 wickets is the fourth name in this list of players with the most wickets in IPL. Bhuvi has played in 176 matches in which he took those 181 wickets at an average of 27.23. However, he has bowled with an economy rate of 7.56 in the league. 

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

3. Dwayne Bravo | 183 Wickets 

Dwayne Bravo with 183 wickets is the third name on the list. He is the second pacer after Lasith Malinga on the list to take the most wickets in IPL. 

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.

2. Piyush Chawla | 192 Wickets

Piyush Chawla, who was bought by Mumbai Indians for IPL 2021 in the mini-auction is the second-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.

1. Yuzvendra Chahal | 205* Wickets

Yuzvendra Chahal has taken the most wickets in IPL history. Chahal has played in 160 games in which he has scalped 205 wickets with an average of 22.44. Moreover, he has an economy of 7.84 in the league.

Previously Chahal has played for RCB till 2021 and this season he will be featuring the Rajasthan Royals as they bought him in the IPL 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.

Performing in ICC events is what every player dreams to do for his team. Each player wants to contribute to his team at the highest level of the game and ICC events are at that level. Be it a batsman or a bowler each & every player contributes to his team's victory at the ICC events. In this article, we will take a look into those five players who took the most wickets for India in ICC events so far.

#1. Mohammed Shami | 77 wickets

Mohammed Shami has been the most influential bowler for India in ICC events. The fast bowler played only 36 matches in ICC events including ICC Men's ODI and T20 World Cups and Champions Trophy and has taken 77 wickets so far. 

Shami has an incredible average of 16.53 runs per wicket in ICC events while his strike rate of 17.3 proves how lethal he has been for India when it matters the most. His five five-wicket hauls are also a record for India in ICC events. 

Not only that, his 55 wickets in the ODI World Cup is fifth fifth-highest in cricket history and the best among Indian bowlers. 

Also Read: ICC Events 2024-31: Full schedule and host countries

#2. Zaheer Khan | 71 wickets

Former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan is second in the list of the most wickets for India in the ICC events. The left-arm pacer took a total of 71 wickets in 44 matches. Moreover, he is also the 2nd highest wicket-taker as a pacer for India across formats, following Kapil Dev. He has 610 wickets across formats including 282 wickets in ODIs and 17 wickets in T20Is.

In ICC events, Zaheer has an average of 22.25 and a strike rate of 26.8, with 4 four-wicket hauls. His performance for India in the 2011 World Cup is one of the most underrated performances in World Cup history. 

Also Read: Winners list of last 10 ICC Tournaments

#3. Ravindra Jadeja | 69 wickets

Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has also contributed to his team in ICC events. Be it with batting, bowling or fielding Jadeja has always been in the game. The left-arm orthodox spinner has taken 69 wickets in 65 games for India at the ICC events. 

The left-arm spinner has been part of several ICC events for India. He has an incredible bowling average of 29.27 and a strike rate of 33.3. Jadeja also has two five-wicket hauls for India in ICC events. 

#4 Jasprit Bumrah | 68 wickets

Following Ravindra Jadeja on the list is one of the greatest pacers to play for India, Jasprit Bumrah. The once-in-a-generation bowler has been incredible for India in every format he has played for, 

Bumrah's sheer accuracy and ability to take wickets at any stage of the match has enabled captains to use him in crucial moments. His incredible wicket-taking skills also helped him win the Player of the Tournament award in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, where India was victorious. 

Till now in 43 matches in ICC Events, Bumrah has taken 68 wickets at an average of 19.50 runs per wicket with a strike-rate of 25.2 balls per wicket. Astonishingly, Bumrah is yet to take any five-wicket haul in ICC events. 

Also Read: Most ICC Trophy wins by any team

#5. Ravichandran Ashwin | 59 wickets

 Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is always known for his role in the longer format of the game. But, very few know what he has done for India in the limited-overs format, especially in ICC events.

He comes just after Jasprit Bumrah in this list of most wickets for India in ICC events. So far Ashwin has taken 59 wickets in 43 matches that he played for India in ICC events.

Before Ravindra Jadeja took over, Ravichandran Ashwin was India's most successful spinner for India in ICC events. The former off-spinner averages 23.00 with the ball and also has a great strike rate of 26.6 in ICC Events.

#6. Harbhajan Singh | 50 wickets

Another off-spinner has occupied his place in this list. Harbhajan Singh comes up after Ravichandran Ash in this list of most wickets for India in ICC events. Bhajji has taken a total of 50 wickets in 53 matches that he has played for India in the ICC events.

The former spinner has some brilliant records in his cricket career, especially in Tests and ODIs. Harbhajan has taken 711 wickets in his career including 411 tests, 269 ODIs, and 25 T20I wickets.

The spinner has done well for India in the ICC events by taking wickets in crucial times. Bhajji has bowled with an average of 33.36 in ODIs and 25.32 in T20Is.

N.B: The stats are accurate as of 4/3/2025 and updated by Koushik Biswas

Rajat Patidar has been named as the new and 8th captain in the history of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Indian Premier League (IPL). The 31-year-old Madhya Pradesh batter would be succeeding Faf du Plessis, who led them from 2022 to 2024. Though Virat Kohli was rumored to be the captain of the team again, the team management announced Patidar as the leader of the franchise. 

With Patidar joining an elite list of players to captain RCB in IPL, here is a list with stats of every RCB captain so far in IPL history. 

Stats of every RCB captain in IPL so far

Virat Kohli | 66 wins

Virat Kohli is the most successful captain in the history of RCB. He is also the only player to play for a single franchise since the inception of the tournament. In 2008, RCB bought a future star in making who went on to break many records in the tournament. 

Kohli was made the RCB captain back in 2011 and he led them continuously till 2022 season before Faf du Plessis took over the captaincy from him. However, Kohli had led the team for a few games in 2023 as well. 

The former India captain led RCB in 143 games and won 66 games as a captain. During his tenure, RCB saw the highest and lowest of the franchise with them qualifying for the final once in 2016. They faced humiliation of being bowled out for 49 under his captaincy too. 

Read Also | IPL Stats: Players with hat-tricks in IPL

Faf du Plessis | 21 wins

Faf du Plessis, the former South African captain was trusted with the RCB captaincy after Virat Kohli stepped down as the captain of the team in 2022. The team and Kohli wanted a fresh brain and leadership to take the team to new heights, 

However, despite Faf's experience of the leading many T20 teams across the globe, RCB failed to win any accolade during his tenure of three seasons. In 42 games as the RCB captain , Faf won 21 games, which makes him the second most successful RCB captain. 

Faf du Plessis has the highest win percentage as a RCB captain with more than 40 games.

Anil Kumble | 15 wins

Kumble, the former Indian captain took over the captaincy in 2009 and led the team two seasons only. However, he was very successful as a captain even in that small amount of time as he was able to take the team to IPL 2009 final. Although they suffered a defeat at the hands of Decan Chargers in the second season of IPL. 

Kumble is regarded as one of the most successful RCB captains with 15 wins in just 26 games as the captain. He has a win percentage of 57.69 as the captain of the franchise.

Daniel Vettori | 12 wins

One of the most underrated players and captains of cricket history, Daniel Vettori led the Royal Challengers Bengaluru team in two seasons from 2011 to 2012. 

In 22 games as the captain, Vettori won 12 games and also led them in 2011 IPL final where they lost against Chennai Super Kings, 

Rahul Dravid | 4 wins

Rahul Dravid was the first ever RCB captain, who was the marquee player of the franchise when the tournament started in 2008, The former India captain led RCB for only one season in 2008 and only managed to win 4 times in 14 games.

Dravid's failure as the leader of the team forced the team management to hand over the captaincy to Kevin Pietersen in the next season. 

Kevin Pietersen | 2 wins

In 2009, former England batter Kevin Pietersen led RCB for only 6 games after the failure of Rahul Dravid's tenure as the leader of the team. However, Pietersen also could not find any success as the RCB captain and was replaced by Anil Kumble in the midseason after winning only 2 out of 6 games. 

Shane Watson | 1 win

Shane Watson, one of the most successful players for RCB, led the team in three matches only in 2017 season in absence of Virat Kohli. Watson could only manage one win in those three games as the captain. 

Stats of every RCB captain in IPL

T20 cricket is one of the toughest formats to bowl for any bowler. With high-quality bats, shorter grounds, flatter pitches it has been a tough place for bowlers around the globe. However, some bowlers have found it easy to take wickets as the batsmen are willing to take more risks. Arshdeep Singh has emerged as one of the best in T20Is within two years of his debut. He is now the bowler with most T20I wickets for India.

Top 4: Most wickets in T20I for India

#1 Arshdeep Singh: 97* T20 International Wickets

Since his debut in 2022, Arshdeep Singh has made himself as one of the best white ball bowlers. The left-arm pacer is now the highest wicket-taker in T20I cricket among Indians. 

The highest wicket-taker of 2024 T20 World Cup has the ability to swing the new ball. He can also follow that up with Yorkers and variations at the death as well. 

In 61 matches he now has taken 97 wickets to go past Yuzvendra Chahal's record. Arsdheep has an average of 17.83 along with a 8.25 economy rate in T20I cricket.

Read Also | IPL 2025 Auction: Top 10 Most Expensive players of the auction

#2 Yuzvendra Chahal: 96 T20 International Wickets

Chahal, the leg-spinner, is one of the most clever bowlers in world cricket right now. With his experience in Chess, it is quite obvious that he outfox the batsman easily to get wickets. 

Chahal has taken 96 wickets in his 80 T20 international matches. He was also the first Indian bowler to pick a 5-wicket haul in a T20 international game. His bowling average of 25.09 in T20Is speaks volumes for his wicket-taking ability.

However, recently he has found it hard to find a place in the Indian team. 

#3 Bhuvneshwar Kumar: 90 T20 International Wickets

Once Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the bowler with most T20I wickets for India. Though Kumar has not played a single game for India since 2022, when bowlers like Arshdeep Singh was brought in the team.

The medium has taken 90 T20 international wickets in 87 games with an outstanding economy rate of 6.96. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is also the first Indian player to take five-wicket hauls in all formats of the game.

With age, Bhuvneshwar Kumar might find it tough to make a return to the Indian T20I squad, but with his accuracy, he still can be an asset for the team.

#4 Jasprit Bumrah : 89 T20 International Wickets

Probably the best Indian pacer of all time, Jasprit Bumrah is a gift of IPL to Indian cricket. His death-bowling skill and game reading ability are second to none. He is a blessing for any captain in the shortest format of the game. 

Bumrah can come at any stage of the game and take a wicket without the batters trying to attack him. The 2024 T20 World Cup winner has taken 89 T20I wickets in just 70 games. He has an outstanding average of 17.74 along with his stunning economy rate of 6.27. 

Indian cricket history has witnessed many pace bowlers who posed a threat to the opposition with their skill and guile. Pacers has played a role in the rise of the sport’s popularity. Some bowlers became match winners, the go-to player for captains whenever the team needed wickets. Let's take a look at those pace bowlers who have the most international wickets for India.

Also Read: Most international runs in Cricket history

Most International Wickets for India (Pacers)

1. Kapil Dev | 687 Wickets

The World Cup-winning skipper, Kapil Dev has the most International wickets for India (pacer). He took a total of 687 wickets in 356 international appearances. These scalps have come at an average of 28.83, with best bowling figures of 9/83. Kapil Dev has a total of 20 four-wicket hauls, 24 fifers, and two ten-wicket hauls in the international arena. He also scored over 9,000 international runs with nine centuries.

2. Zaheer Khan | 597 Wickets

Zaheer Khan was the backbone of the 2000s Indian pace and has taken a total of 597 wickets at an average of 31.48. He has best bowling figures of 7/83. Zaheer has 23 four-fers, 12 five-wicket hauls, and a ten-wicket haul in international cricket. The 2011 World Cup winner had the ability to swing the ball both ways and was quite deadly in the death overs.

3. Javagal Srinath | 551 Wickets

Javagal Srinath, who is fondly known as Mysore Express is considered among India's finest fast bowlers and has taken 551 international wickets for Team India at an average of 29.11. His best bowling figures are 8/86. He has 15 four-wicket hauls, 13 five-wicket hauls, and a ten-wicket haul in international cricket. 

Also Read: The Greatest T20I Records That Will Stand the Test of Time

4. Mohammed Shami | 448 Wickets

Since making his debut in 2013, Mohammed Shami has made a total of 188 international appearances for India. He has been one of India’s finest pacers in the current era and has an amazing record across formats. Shami has taken a total of 448 wickets at an average of 26.06. His best bowling figures are 7/57. Shami has 22 four-wicket hauls and 11 five-wicket hauls for India. 

5. Jasprit Bumrah | 435* Wickets 

Jasprit Bumrah is the fifth Indian pacer who has the most international wickets. Bumrah is one of India’s most unique pacers who is known very well for his unorthodox action, incredible pace and the ability to take wickets under pressure in every format of the game. 

in 203* matches, Bumrah has taken 435 wickets at an average of 20.57, with the best bowling figures of 6/19. He has 14 five-wicket hauls and 12 four-wicket hauls in his international career.

Also Read: Most international wickets for India

6. Ishant Sharma | 434 Wickets

Ishant Sharma played for India between 2007 and 2021 and he was part of the 2013 Champions Trophy-winning team. Ishant took 434 wickets in 199 international matches, which included 105 tests, and took 11 fifers, 16 four-wicket hauls, and one ten-wicket match haul. His best bowling figures are 7/74.