Indian T20 League, the most-watched cricket league in the world, usually sets explosive batting and powerful hitting as the centre of attention. What the fans tend to overlook, though, is the fact that bowlers are actually the trump cards, who are equally capable of dictating the pace of the game.
Since its inception in 2008, the league has seen some of the most breathtaking bowling performances and these five players dominate the list of tournament’s all-time top wicket-takers.
Most wickets in Indian T20 League
5. Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin has won the Indian T20 League with Team Chennai and knows what it takes to lift the trophy. He's played for several teams apart from Chennai having also enjoyed stints with Team Punjab and Team Rajasthan. During his time in the league, he's accounted for 171 scalps from 196 games.
4. Amit Mishra
Having played for more than three Indian T20 League sides, the willy leg-spinner has notched 172 wickets in 160 games at an average of 23.75. He is also one of the few bowlers in the league who have four four-wicket hauls to their name and has taken hat-tricks in the Indian T20 League as well.
3. Piyush Chawla
Having played for Punjab from 2008 till 2013, leg-spinner Piyush Chawla was roped in by Kolkata in 2014, and he performed well for them before joining Team Mumbai. In 176 matches so far, Chawla has picked 174 wickets at an average of 26.56 and an economy rate of 7.85.
2. Dwayne Bravo
Dwayne Bravo, who is one of the two players to have won the Purple Cap twice in the league, started his career with Mumbai before moving to MS Dhoni-led Chennai in 2011. Having played 14 seasons, the West Indies cricketer picked 183 wickets in 161 matches while maintaining an economy of 8.38.
1. Yuzvendra Chahal
The fourth Indian spinner in this top five, no bowler has taken more wickets in the Indian T20 League than Yuzvendra Chahal. The tricky right-arm spinner boasts plenty of variations and can turn the ball a long way. In 143 games so far, he's taken 187 wickets at an impressive average of 21.27 and an economy of 7.63.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Manjunath Kiran
