IPL: Fastest to 100 wickets
The Indian Premier League is arguably the grandest T20 league in the world where the best players from all around the world gather to put on a spectacular show for cricket fans worldwide. It’s believed that the league is generally dominated by batters who just take the bowlers to the cleaners by smashing them over the short boundaries.
However, there have been many great bowlers in the history of the competition who have made a name for themselves by dismissing some of the biggest names of world cricket. These bowlers have continued to pick wickets match after match and increased their overall tally after every game. As the 16th season of the IPL continues to amaze fans, let us take a look at the top three fastest bowlers to pick 100 wickets in IPL.
3. Harshal Patel (81 matches)
The right-arm seamer had his first memorable season in the competition in 2015 playing for RCB as he scalped 17 wickets at an average of 19.29 and an economy of 7.48. The 32-year-old etched his name in the history books as he picked the joint-highest wickets in a single IPL season, scalping 32 wickets in 2021 to level with Dwayne Bravo’s 2013 tally. Patel completed his 100 wickets in 81 matches and is ranked third on the list.
2. Lasith Malinga (70 matches)
The legendary seamer with his slingy action troubled many great batters in his prime. Malinga is the third-highest wicket-taker in the history of IPL, with 170 wickets to his name in 122 matches at an average of 19.80 and an economy of 7.14. He won the Purple Cap in 2011 for finishing as the highest wicket-taker of the season with 28 wickets to his name from 16 matches. The Sri Lankan legend is the second-fastest bowler to reach the 100-wicket landmark having achieved the feat in 70 matches.
1. Kagiso Rabada (64 matches)
The South African speedster is one of the most lethal bowlers in the tournament currently. He was awarded the Purple Cap in the 2020 edition as he scalped 30 wickets (which is also the second-highest wicket tally in a season) in 17 matches at an average of 18.26. Rabada reached the 100-wicket landmark in 64 matches and is the fastest bowler in the history of the competition to achieve the feat.
