IPL 2019 : The highest wicket-taker of each team 

Imran Tahir won the Purple Cap this year (Image courtesy - IPLT20/BCCI)
Imran Tahir won the Purple Cap this year (Image courtesy - IPLT20/BCCI)

It is perceived that the T20 format is a batsman-oriented one because they have the license of hitting the ball hard right from the first delivery. However, the bowlers of this generation have proven that they can tackle the batsmen with the help of witty variations and accurate line and lengths.

Bowlers such as Lasith Malinga, DJ Bravo, Rashid Khan, Andrew Tye, Sunil Narine, Imran Tahir, Kagiso Rabada and Jason Behrendorff have been able to silence the opposition batsmen with their fantastic bowling skills.

In this year's IPL, a lot of new stars emerged in the bowling department as we saw the likes of Shreyas Gopal, Rahul Chahar, Ishant Sharma, Navdeep Saini and many more come to the party. These bowlers ensured that the 12th season of IPL was not dominated by batsmen only.

Also Read - IPL 2019 : The highest run-scorer of each team

Today, we will have a look at the highest wicket-taker of each team in IPL 2019 -


#8 Andre Russell - Kolkata Knight Riders

Andre Russell was the star for Kolkata Knight Riders (Image courtesy - IPLT20/BCCI)
Andre Russell was the star for Kolkata Knight Riders (Image courtesy - IPLT20/BCCI)

Matches - 14, Wickets - 11, Economy Rate - 9.51

The fact that an all-rounder was the team's highest leading wicket-taker of the season showcases how poor the Kolkata Knight Riders were in terms of their bowling. Andre Russell was the lone bright spot of their IPL 2019 campaign as he was their highest run-scorer as well as highest wicket-taker.

Also Read - 10 things you may not know about Andre Russell

Besides Russell, none of the other bowlers performed consistently. Kolkata's leading wicket-taker was placed on the 25th position on the Purple Cap leaderboard is another sign of the bowlers' poor performances. The team's next best bowler was Sunil Narine, who picked 10 wickets in 12 games.

#7 Yuzvendra Chahal - Royal Challengers Bangalore

Yuzvendra Chahal - Image Courtesy: (BCCI/IPLT20.com)
Yuzvendra Chahal - Image Courtesy: (BCCI/IPLT20.com)

Matches - 14, Wickets - 18, Economy Rate - 7.82

Yuzvendra Chahal has been one of the most consistent performers in IPL history. The leg-spinner has always been a key bowler for the Royal Challengers Bangalore and the same trend was witnessed in IPL 2019 as well.

Also Read - IPL Records: Purple Cap - Top 10 bowlers in IPL 2016

In the 14 matches he played this season, the Indian leggie picked 18 wickets, which even included a four wicket-haul.


#6 Mohammed Shami - Kings XI Punjab

Mohammed Shami (Image Courtesy : IPLT20/BCCI)
Mohammed Shami (Image Courtesy : IPLT20/BCCI)

Matches - 14, Wickets - 19, Economy Rate - 8.68

Mohammed Shami emerged as the most improved bowler of the season. Despite being in troubles off-field, Shami managed to earn himself a place in the World Cup squad with his performances against Australia, New Zealand and in the IPL.

Also Watch - World Cup 2019 - India's Strongest Possible playing XI from the 15-man squad

Shami was the cornerstone of Kings XI Punjab's bowling department in IPL 2019. He played all matches for the franchise and scalped 19 wickets at a bowling average of 24.68.

#5 Khaleel Ahmed - Sunrisers Hyderabad

Khaleel Ahmed was the surprise performer of the season (Image courtesy: IPLT20/BCCI)
Khaleel Ahmed was the surprise performer of the season (Image courtesy: IPLT20/BCCI)

Matches - 9, Wickets - 19, Economy Rate - 8.23

When the season started, not many backed Khaleel Ahmed to perform the way he did in IPL 2019. He was the main wicket-taker for Sunrisers Hyderabad and overshadowed the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Siddharth Kaul, Sandeep Sharma and Rashid Khan. With multiple 3-wicket hauls, Khaleel picked up 19 wickets in the 9 games he played.

Also Read - IPL history: 3 players who played for India in T20I after impressing for Sunrisers Hyderabad

It will be interesting to see if Ahmed continues his form in the future as well.


#4 Jasprit Bumrah - Mumbai Indians

Jasprit Bumrah (Image Courtesy - BCCI/iplt20.com)
Jasprit Bumrah (Image Courtesy - BCCI/iplt20.com)

Matches - 16, Wickets - 19, Economy Rate - 6.63

Well, it is a well known fact now that Jasprit Bumrah is one of the best fast bowlers in the world and the Gujarati pacer solidified the statement even further in IPL 2019. He not only picked up wickets for Mumbai Indians at crucial junctures but he did so by conceding minimal amount of runs.

Also Read - 5 amazing facts about Jasprit Bumrah's career

Bumrah had the best economy rate amongst the bowlers who finished in the top 10 of the race to the Purple Cap.

#3 Shreyas Gopal - Rajasthan Royals

Virat Kohli has become Shreyas Gopal's bunny (Image Courtesy: IPLT20/BCCI)
Virat Kohli has become Shreyas Gopal's bunny (Image Courtesy: IPLT20/BCCI)

Matches - 14, Wickets - 20, Economy Rate - 7.22

Bought at a price of ₹20 lakhs by Rajasthan Royals, leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal proved to be a complete value-for-money player with his classy performances for RR. Gopal was the most consistent player for his side, delivering the goods in every match he played.

Also Read - IPL 2019: Top 5 value-for-money players of the season

The Karnataka leg-spinner scalped 20 wickets in the tournament, which even included a hat-trick against Royal Challengers Bangalore.


#2 Kagiso Rabada - Delhi Capitals

Kagiso Rabada (picture courtesy: BCCI/iplt20.com)
Kagiso Rabada (picture courtesy: BCCI/iplt20.com)

Matches - 12, Wickets - 25, Economy Rate - 7.82

South African pacer Kagiso Rabada helped Delhi Capitals reach the play-offs for the first time in many years. He was all set to win the Purple Cap this year but a an injury ruled him out of the tournament. His Super Over versus Kolkata Knight Riders was the highlight of the season.

Also Read - IPL 2019 : Top 5 matches of the season

With a bowling average of below 15, Rabada had the best average among the top 10 bowlers of the season.

#1 Imran Tahir - Chennai Super Kings

Imran Tahir (Image Courtesy - BCCI/iplt20.com)
Imran Tahir (Image Courtesy - BCCI/iplt20.com)

Matches - 17, Wickets - 26, Purple Cap winner

The 40-year-old leg-spinner, Imran Tahir stunned each and everyone with his performances for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2019. Tahir was the lead bowler of the spin trio of Chennai, comprising of Ravindra Jadeja and Harbhajan Singh also. Tahir had an economy rate of below 7 which made life difficult for the opposition batsmen.

Also Read - IPL history: Kochi Tuskers Kerala squad - Where are they now?

Tahir was the trump card of MS Dhoni this season and his leg-spin reigned supreme on the tracks of Chepauk. He picked up two four-wicket hauls and had a bowling strike-rate of 14.84 in the season. Unfortunately, he could not lift the IPL trophy, despite his team reaching the final.

The Proteas spinner will retire from international cricket after the World Cup but the Chennai fans would hope he continues playing in the IPL.

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Edited by Samya Majumdar