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    Wednesday, March 18, 2026
    Newyorkdigitalnews

    Top 5 overseas bowlers with most wickets ahead of IPL 2026 ft. Sunil Narine

    New York Digital News.org
    New York Digital News.org
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    IPL 2026 will get underway on March 28 with a clash between defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. RCB ended their frustrating title drought by defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs in the 2025 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

    Mumbai Indians (MI) will be up against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 29 in the second game of IPL 2026. The first double-header will be held on April 4. Delhi Capitals (DC) will meet MI in the day game at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Gujarat Titans (GT) will host Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the evening clash in Ahmedabad.

    A number of overseas bowling stars have been successful in the IPL over the years. In the build-up to the upcoming edition, we look at five overseas bowlers with the most number of wickets in the Indian T20 league.

    #5 Trent Boult (143)

    Former New Zealand left-arm pacer Trent Boult has claimed 143 wickets in 120 matches at an average of 26.20 and an economy rate of 8.37, with two four-wicket hauls. He has represented five franchises in the IPL. Boult’s best figures of 4-18 were registered for MI against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Sharjah in 2020. He also claimed 4-26 for MI against SRH in Hyderabad last season.

    Boult was part of the SRH squad that won the IPL in 2016, but played only one match. He claimed 25 scalps in 15 matches at an economy rate of 7.97 as MI won the title in 2020. In fact, the Black Caps pacer was the Player of the Match in the final, registering figures of 3-30 against DC in Dubai. Boult has 60 scalps in 45 games for MI and will represent the franchise in the 2026 season as well.

    #4 Rashid Khan (158)

    Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan has claimed 158 wickets in 136 IPL matches at an average of 23.83 and an economy rate of 7.08, with two four-fers. Rashid represented SRH from 2017 to 2021. Since the 2022 season, he has been part of the GT franchise. Rashid’s best innings figures of 4-24 were registered for GT against LSG in Pune in 2022. He also claimed 4-30 for GT against MI in 2023.

    Rashid was part of the GT squad that won the IPL in its debut season in 2022. The leg-spinner claimed 19 wickets in 16 matches at an average of 22.15 and an economy rate of 6.59. In 60 matches for GT, Rashid has claimed 65 wickets at an average of 28.52 and an economy rate of 8.07. Earlier, in 76 games for SRH, he had picked up 93 wickets at an average of 20.55 and an economy rate of 6.33.

    #3 Lasith Malinga (170)

    Sri Lankan fast bowling legend Lasith Malinga picked up 170 matches in the IPL from 122 matches, averaging 19.79 at an economy rate of 7.14, with six four-fers and one five-fer. Malinga represented only one franchise in the IPL – MI from 2009 to 2019. His best innings figures of 5-13 were registered against DC at the Arun Jaitley Stadium back in 2011.

    Malinga was part of the MI squad that won the IPL in 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019. The right-arm pacer claimed 20 wickets in 17 matches in 2013 at an economy rate of 7.16. In 2015, he picked up 24 scalps in 15 games at an economy rate of 7.40. Malinga picked up 11 wickets in 12 matches in 2017 (economy rate of 8.52). He was expensive in 2019, but bowled the last over in the final as MI won by one run.

    #2 Dwayne Bravo

    Former West Indies captain picked up 183 wickets in the IPL from 161 matches, averaging 23.82 at an economy rate of 8.38, with two four-fers. Bravo represented three franchises in the IPL, including MI and CSK. His best of 4-22 came for Gujarat Lions (GL) against PBKS in Mohali in 2016. He also claimed 4-42 for CSK against MI at Eden Gardens in Kolkata in 2013 final.

    Player Matches Wickets Average Economy BBI 4w 5w
    Sunil Narine 189 192 25.63 6.79 5-19 7 1
    Dwayne Bravo 161 183 23.82 8.38 4-22 2 0
    Lasith Malinga 122 170 19.79 7.14 5-13 6 1
    Rashid Khan 136 158 23.83 7.08 4-24 2 0
    Trent Boult 120 143 26.20 8.37 4-18 2 0

    (Top 5 overseas bowlers with most IPL wickets)

    Bravo was part of the CSK squad that won the IPL in 2011, 2018 and 2021. In the 2011 season, the right-arm pacer picked up six wickets in six matches at an economy rate of 7.85. In 2018, he claimed 14 scalps in 16 games (economy rate 9.96) and in 2021, 14 wickets in 11 games (economy rate 7.81). He claimed 32 wickets in 2013, which is a joint-record for most scalps in an IPL season.

    #1 Sunil Narine (192 wickets)

    West Indies mystery spinner Sunil Narine tops the list of overseas bowlers with most IPL wickets. In 189 matches, all of them for KKR, he has claimed 192 wickets at an average of 25.63 and an economy rate of 6.79, with seven four-fers and one five-fer. Narine’s best figures of 5-19 were registered against PBKS at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata in 2012.

    Narine has featured in all IPL editions that KKR have won. The off-spinner claimed 24 wickets in 15 matches in 2012, averaging 13.50 at an excellent economy rate of 5.47. In 2014, he picked up 21 scalps in 16 matches at an average of 19.38 and an economy rate of 6.35. When KKR won their third title in 2024, Narine claimed 17 wickets in 15 matches at an average of 21.64 and an economy rate of 6.69.