Most Wickets in IPL Playoffs

The Indian Premier League 2024 season has reached the halfway stage, and the biggest talking point this year has been the dominance of the bat over the ball, with batting-friendly pitches, record-breaking totals, shocking strike rates, and sixes galore being the norm of the season. While Sunrisers Hyderabad has revolutionized their batting at the top of the order and the Kolkata Knight Riders have followed them closely, others like the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings have been poor with the ball and are languishing at the bottom of the table. But when it comes to IPL Playoffs, it is the bowlers who need to perform at their best. There is a saying that batters win you matches, but it is the bowlers who win you tournaments. There's constant pressure on bowlers to give their best, as a tiny mistake can end the team's campaign. A few world-class bowlers have performed well, showcasing their experience and taking wickets at crucial junctures. While some of the experienced bowlers have gone for runs in the season so far, here are the top 5 bowlers with the most wickets in IPL Playoffs.

Most Wickets in IPL Playoffs

1. Dwayne Bravo

Former Chennai Super Kings' pace bowling all-rounder Dwayne Bravo is right at the top when it comes to the bowlers with the most wickets in IPL Playoffs. In 19 matches, Bravo has taken 28 wickets, with a strike rate of 13.8 and an economy rate of 8.21. The West Indies superstar holds the joint first position on the list of highest wicket takers in IPL in a single season alongside Harshal Patel. The West Indian pacer claimed a total of 32 scalps from as many as 18 games during the 2013 season of the IPL. His impressive bowling performance helped the Chennai Super Kings qualify for the finals. While talking about his entire IPL career, Bravo is placed in the second position in the list of most wickets in IPL history, having taken as many as 183 wickets from 161 games at an economy of 8.39.

2. Mohit Sharma

Mohit Sharma burst onto the cricketing scene during the IPL 2013 season. It was his debut with the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2013 that truly put him to stardom. Under the leadership of legendary Indian captain MS Dhoni, Mohit Sharma flourished, deceiving the batters with his variations effectively with both the new and old ball. Mohit picked up 20 wickets for CSK in his first IPL season. However, in IPL 2014, Mohit Sharma won the prestigious Purple Cap as the highest wicket-taker in IPL with 23 wickets to his name. His consistent displays earned him a spot in India's squad for the 2015 ODI World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand. Mohit Sharma made significant contributions, finishing as India's third-highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 13 wickets. After struggling with Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Capitals, Mohit Sharma made a fine comeback with Gujarat Titans in 2023. In the IPL 2023 season, the right-arm medium-fast bowler from Haryana picked up 27 wickets. In 10 matches in playoffs, Mohit has taken 20 wickets, with a strike rate of 10.8 and an economy rate of 8.77.

3. Ravichandran Ashwin

Fondly called "Ash Anna", Ravichandran Ashwin is regarded as one of India's all-time great spin bowlers. He is famous for his carrom ball and innovative off-spin bowling. In recent years, the superstar from Tamil Nadu has also developed his batting and has been a reliable batter. The wily off-spinner burst onto the cricketing scene due to his exploits with Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. In the inaugural season of the tournament in 2008, he made his debut for CSK. It was only in the 2010 season that he started to make an impact. Ashwin's performances helped CSK win back-to-back IPL trophies in 2010 and 2011. After average IPL seasons with Pune, Punjab and Delhi, Ashwin was signed by Rajasthan Royals for INR 5 crore rupees in the IPL 2022 mega auction. In 10 matches in playoffs, Ashwin has taken 19 wickets, with a strike rate of 24.2 and an economy rate of 7.47. The spin duo of Ashwin, along with Chahal, who is slotted at the second position amongst the list of bowlers with the most wickets in IPL 2024 with as many as 13 wickets in 8 matches, have been phenomenal for Rajasthan, picking wickets at crucial junctures.

4. Ravindra Jadeja

Chennai's beloved Thalapathy Ravindra Jadeja's love affair with runs and wickets continues in the Indian Premier League. He was the highest-paid retention for CSK ahead of the IPL 2022 season. The star Indian all-rounder was retained for INR 16 crore. Ravindra Jadeja has always been MS Dhoni's go-to man when he needed to break a partnership in the middle overs, and the left-armer has delivered all the time. His presence gives CSK the extra cushion to play an additional batter. His performance in IPL 2008 helped Rajasthan Royals to title victory and earned him the nickname "Rockstar" by his captain Shane Warne. In the 2012 IPL player auction, Jadeja was bought by Chennai Super Kings for approx. Rs. 9.8 Crore, making him the most expensive player back then. However, he was the most featured Indian cricketer in the Cricket news during the IPL 2022 season when MS Dhoni and CSK handed him the captaincy, which didn't go that well. In 23 matches in playoffs, Jadeja has taken 19 wickets, with a strike rate of 17.4 and an economy rate of 7.75. However, if Chennai Super Kings need to defend their title in IPL 2024, Jadeja has to fire all cylinders, both with bat and ball.

5. Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh is one of the greatest off-spinners India has produced. The legendary Indian off-spinner was a part of the successful team that clinched the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup. Harbhajan was a key member of the Mumbai Indians for the first ten years in the IPL. While his bowling has been extraordinary, he has also contributed with bat. In 2018, Harbhajan moved to the Chennai Super Kings, where they clinched another title in a fairytale comeback season. Harbhajan Singh is someone who is always on and around the cricket news. In 15 matches in playoffs, Harbhajan has taken 17 wickets, with a strike rate of 19.0 and an economy rate of 7.27.