The 11th edition of the Indian Premier League is all set to get underway on Saturday with defending champions Mumbai Indians taking on Chennai Super Kings.
Over the course of a decade, there have been plenty of performers, both international and domestic, who have lit up the tournament with bat and ball.
Here, we look at the top five bowlers in the competition’s 10-year-old history.
5. DWAYNE BRAVO
MATCHES: 106
WICKETS: 122
AVERAGE: 22.58
ECONOMY: 8.19
One of biggest stars of T20 cricket over the last few years, Dwayne Bravo has been a highly sought after name year after year in the IPL. The West Indies all-rounder’s array of slower deliveries made him a huge hit.
His best season with the ball in the IPL came in 2013 when he ended up as the highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 32 scalps at an astounding average of 15.53 to win the ‘Purple Cap’.
He won that accolade for a second time in 2015 where he picked up 26 wickets. Bravo is one of only two bowlers in IPL history to have ended up as the top wicket-taker in two different editions.
Bravo’s subtle variations have been a huge hit over the years.
4. PIYUSH CHAWLA
MATCHES: 129
WICKETS: 126
AVERAGE: 25.88
ECONOMY: 7.63
Once a big part of India’s limited-overs setup, Piyush Chawla has been out of the limelight for some time now. When it comes to the IPL though, the leg-spinner has been one of the most consistent performers.
A regular since 2008, Chawla has managed to pick up at least 10 wickets in all 10 editions of the tournament bar one in 2017. With spinners thriving in the IPL, Chawla has been of the more successful ones.
Upon moving to Kolkata Knight Riders in 2014, Chawla played a part in their title-winning campaign, picking up 14 wickets at an average of 21.64. He will once again line up for the Kolkata based franchise this year.
Chawla has been a consistent wicket-taking option over the years.
3. HARBHAJAN SINGH
MATCHES: 136
WICKETS: 127
AVERAGE: 26.65
ECONOMY: 6.95
Like Chawla, Harbhajan Singh might not be in contention for international cricket these days but that has not stopped him from becoming a major force for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL.
Having played all 10 seasons so far for the Mumbai franchise, Harbhajan’s main asset has been his economy-rate of under seven which is like gold dust in the format.
While he had a quiet IPL personally as Mumbai Indians lifted the trophy last year, Harbhajan’s contributions in their previous two titles are immense. The 37-year-old off-spinner picked up 24 and 18 wickets in the 2013 and 2015 title wins for the franchise respectively. He will play for Chennai this year.
Harbhajan’s economy-rate has been to die for.
2. AMIT MISHRA
MATCHES: 126
WICKETS: 134
AVERAGE: 24.33
ECONOMY: 7.41
The second leg-spinner in the list and by far the most successful one, Amit Mishra’s credentials in the IPL cannot be doubted.
The 35-year-old became the first player in IPL history to claim three hat-tricks when he achieved that feat playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad against the Pune Warriors in 2013. That was also his best season personally in the competition as he ended up with 21 wickets.
He was at his most economical in the first four editions, not giving away more than seven run per over in any of them. His economy-rate has since then climbed steadily but his wicket-taking abilities remain.
Mishra is the only bowler to claim three IPL hat-tricks.
1. LASITH MALINGA
MATCHES: 110
WICKETS: 151
AVERAGE: 19.01
ECONOMY: 6.86
If there was ever an award for the best bowler the IPL history, Lasith Malinga would win it hands down. He has been, by some distance, the most effective bowler when it comes to taking wickets or stopping the run-flow.
Now appointed as the bowling mentor for Mumbai Indians, the Sri Lankan pacer had an astounding nine-year stay with the franchise as a player. He was awarded the Purple Cap in 2011 after picking up 28 wickets in the tournament. Having played his part in three title-winning campaigns for the franchise, Malinga remains a huge fan-favourite at Mumbai.
His value in the IPL can be summed up by the fact that his return of 11 wickets in last year’s edition was his poorest in his eight years in the league.
Malinga is the most successful bowler in IPL history.
