Top 5 overseas bowlers with most wickets ahead of IPL 2026

IPL 2026 will start on March 28 with a match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. RCB won their first title in 2025 after beating Punjab Kings by six runs in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

On March 29, the Mumbai Indians (MI) will play against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The first doubleheader of the season will be on April 4. In the first match, Delhi Capitals (DC) will face the Mumbai Indians at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Later that day, the Gujarat Titans (GT) will play against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Ahmedabad.

Many overseas bowlers have done very well in the IPL over the years. Before the new season begins, here is a look at five foreign bowlers who have taken the most wickets in the tournament.

Also read -Most runs scored against each team in Indian Premier League (IPL) history

5. Trent Boult (143 wickets)

Former New Zealand left-arm fast bowler Trent Boult has taken 143 wickets in 120 IPL matches. His average is 26.20, and his economy rate is 8.37. He has taken two four-wicket hauls. Boult has played for five IPL teams. His best bowling was 4 for 18 for the Mumbai Indians against Chennai Super Kings in Sharjah in 2020. He also took 4 for 26 against Sunrisers Hyderabad last season.

Boult was part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad team that won the IPL in 2016, but he played only one match. In 2020, when the Mumbai Indians won the title, he took 25 wickets in 15 matches. He was also Player of the Match in the final for his 3 for 30 against the Delhi Capitals. Boult has taken 60 wickets in 45 matches for the Mumbai Indians and will play for them in IPL 2026.

4. Rashid Khan (158 wickets)

Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan has taken 158 wickets in 136 IPL matches. His average is 23.83, and his economy rate is 7.08. He has taken two four-wicket hauls. Rashid played for Sunrisers Hyderabad from 2017 to 2021. Since 2022, he has been playing for the Gujarat Titans. His best bowling is 4 for 24 against Lucknow Super Giants in 2022. He also took 4 for 30 against the Mumbai Indians in 2023.

Rashid was part of the Gujarat Titans team that won the IPL in 2022. That season, he took 19 wickets in 16 matches. For the Gujarat Titans, he has taken 65 wickets in 60 matches. Earlier, for Sunrisers Hyderabad, he took 93 wickets in 76 matches.

3. Lasith Malinga (170 wickets)

Sri Lanka fast bowling legend Lasith Malinga took 170 wickets in 122 IPL matches. His average is 19.79, and his economy rate is 7.14. He has six four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul. Malinga played only for the Mumbai Indians from 2009 to 2019. His best bowling was 5 for 13 against the Delhi Capitals in 2011.

Malinga was part of the Mumbai Indians teams that won the IPL in 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019. In 2013, he took 20 wickets in 17 matches. In 2015, he took 24 wickets in 15 matches. In 2017, he took 11 wickets in 12 matches. In 2019, he was expensive but bowled the last over in the final when the Mumbai Indians won by one run.

2. Dwayne Bravo (183 wickets)

Former West Indies captain Dwayne Bravo took 183 wickets in 161 IPL matches. His average is 23.82, and his economy rate is 8.38. He has taken two four-wicket hauls. Bravo played for teams like the Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Gujarat Lions. His best bowling was 4 for 22 for the Gujarat Lions against the Punjab Kings in 2016. He also took 4 for 42 for Chennai Super Kings in the 2013 final.

Bravo was part of the Chennai Super Kings teams that won the IPL in 2011, 2018, and 2021. In 2011, he took 6 wickets in 6 matches. In 2018, he took 14 wickets in 16 matches. In 2021, he took 14 wickets in 11 matches. In 2013, he took 32 wickets, which is a joint record for most wickets in a season.

1. Sunil Narine (192 wickets)

West Indies spinner Sunil Narine has taken the most wickets among overseas bowlers in the IPL. He has taken 192 wickets in 189 matches, all for Kolkata Knight Riders. His average is 25.63, and his economy rate is 6.79. He has taken seven four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul. His best bowling was 5 for 19 against the Punjab Kings in 2012.

Narine has been part of all the IPL titles won by the Kolkata Knight Riders. In 2012, he took 24 wickets in 15 matches. In 2014, he took 21 wickets in 16 matches. In 2024, when Kolkata Knight Riders won again, he took 17 wickets in 15 matches.