5 bowlers to pick 20+ wickets most times in an IPL season
Often called a batter’s format, bowlers don’t get much credit for their performances in the T20 format. The bowlers also win the thrilling and close encounters for their side in this format. Picking up regular wickets throughout a particular season is remarkable but to do that in many seasons is exceptional. In the Indian Premier League (IPL) few bowlers have crossed the 20 wickets mark in more than one season.
Let’s take a look at 5 bowlers to pick 20 plus wickets most times in an IPL edition:
1.Lasith Malinga (4)
Lasith Malinga has taken 20 plus wickets four times in an IPL season. The pacer took 28 wickets in 2011, 22 in 2012, and 20 in 2013. Malinga, who represented Mumbai Indians (MI) in his IPL career, also snared 24 scalps in the title-winning campaign in 2015. He won the purple cap in the 2011 edition. With 170 wickets, he is the second-highest wicket-taker in the history of the league.
2.Yuzvendra Chahal (4)
Leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has also crossed the 20 wickets mark four times in an IPL edition. The spin bowler has played just one match for MI, 113 for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), and 11 so far for his new side Rajasthan Royals (RR). He took 23 wickets in 2015, 21 in 2016, 21 in 2020, and 22 in the ongoing 2022 season. He is the holder of the purple cap currently after 53 matches of the edition.
3.Sunil Narine (3)
Caribbean mystery spinner Sunil Narine has achieved the 20-plus wickets mark in three IPL campaigns. He did that in three consecutive seasons from 2012 to 2014. Narine, who has played only for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL, took 24 wickets in his debut year in 2012. He backed his solid performance by picking up 22 scalps in 2013 and 21 in the year 2014.
4.Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3)
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the only Indian to win the Purple Cap twice and also the only player to win it in back-to-back seasons. The seam bowler, who is known for his accuracy, took 20 wickets in 2014. He has taken 23 scalps in 2016 and 26 in 2017 and in both the editions he won the Purple Cap. He has played for the now-defunct side Pune Warriors India (PWI) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
5.Jasprit Bumrah (3)
One of the premier fast bowlers in world cricket right now, speedster Jasprit Bumrah has also taken 20 plus wickets three times. Bumrah, who has represented only MI, took 20 wickets in the title-winning campaign with his side in the 2017 season. In 2020, he finished another triumphant season with 27 wickets to his name and then got 21 scalps in 2021.
