The countdown to IPL 2025 has begun, with the tournament kicking off on March 28. At the forefront of single-season wicket records stands Harshal Patel, tied for the most with 32 dismissals in IPL 2021 for RCB. In just 15 matches, his variations and a memorable five-for highlighted his evolution into a white-ball specialist.
Matching that feat was Dwayne Bravo in 2013 for CSK. Across 18 games, his cunning slower balls and cutters yielded 32 wickets at under 8 runs per over, fueling CSK’s runner-up finish despite the final heartbreak.
Kagiso Rabada’s 2020 Purple Cap-winning performance for Delhi saw 30 wickets from 17 matches, marked by two four-fors that terrorized batsmen with bounce and speed.
Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga terrorized IPL 2011 line-ups for MI, bagging 28 wickets in 16 fixtures. His 5/13 remains etched in memory as the pinnacle of toe-crushing yorkers.
James Faulkner’s all-round brilliance in 2013 for RR included 28 wickets at 6.75 economy over 16 games, blending seam movement with smart variations. Fast forward to 2023, Mohammad Shami’s 28 wickets in 17 outings for GT underscored his resurgence as India’s pace spearhead.
These performances underscore the fine line between genius and grind in IPL history, where bowlers like these have scripted unforgettable chapters.