The league phase of the IPL is nothing but sheer enjoyment and playful moments. But certainly, IPL playoffs? That is where a lot of tensions occur.
It is practically a situation in which a team has to win or lose. Hitter, bowler, fielder, all are required to perform their capacities best.
However, it is the bowlers who are significantly involved here. Their breaking of the batsman’s defense at the right time can lead the team to take the title.
The question now arises: which bowler has gotten the most wickets in the IPL playoffs? This article will disclose the five top wicket-takers.
Most Wickets in IPL playoffs
5. Harbhajan Singh – 17 Wickets
Batters were practically at the mercy of Harbhajan Singh in the IPL. His spinning of the ball made batters struggle.
And indeed, it may be safely claimed that Harbhajan is one of the rare off-spinners who has been able to gain a foothold in the tournament. The playoffs statistics support the argument even better.
Harbhajan participated in the knockout stages with teams like Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Over the course of 14 innings, the spinner managed to pick up 17 wickets at an average of 7.27 runs per over.
4. Ravindra Jadeja – 19 Wickets
Ravindra Jadeja is an asset in big matches. He frequently plays a decisive role when the team requires it the most.
He has been doing so for CSK since the year 2012. Jadeja has made his presence felt with short and tidy spells in a total of 10 playoffs.
But what exactly is the reason behind his being? His precision of bowling. Jadeja is able to practically bowl at the same spot for the whole duration of the match. This has given him the total of 19 wickets in as many playoff matches.
3. Mohit Sharma – 20 Wickets
One of the IPL’s underrated bowlers is Mohit Sharma. He has shown his talent, albeit not regularly.
However, in the playoff matches he played, he was performing very well – three with CSK and one with Gujarat Titans (GT).
In the years 2013-2015, Sharma picked up 10 wickets in CSK colors. He had a phenomenal 2023 season and again ended up with 10 wickets, which included a five-for. Overall, Sharma took 20 wickets in 10 games.
2. Ravichandran Ashwin – 21 Wickets
It was in 2010 when Ravichandran Ashwin got the perfect opportunity to shine and become famous through the IPL. The reason? The economical spells he bowled.
And the same spells helped CSK clinch IPL 2010. While Ashwin couldn’t grab a wicket in the final, the 24-run spell he bowled was a big help to the other bowlers in creating pressure.
In the next year’s final, he went back with three wickets. CSK’s second title was the result!
He went on to play seven more playoffs with two other teams apart from CSK. He took 21 wickets in 24 matches at an economy of 7.50.
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1. Dwayne Bravo – 28 Wickets
Dwayne Bravo effectively managed his exploits towards the end of the tournament. His bowling stats did the talking.
Bravo’s excellent performance in the death overs might have been the reason why he excelled in the playoffs. He frequently got the better of the batsmen with his variations. This, in turn, led to the team getting wickets.
His total wicket count throughout the season was 28 and he played 19 matches, out of which 26 were in CSK unit. This shows the extent of Bravo’s influence on CSK’s playoff performance.
