5 greatest IPL bowlers of all time

#3 Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh has been one of the IPL's most consistent performers over the years for the Mumbai Indians and the Chennai Super Kings. The off-spinner has picked up 150 wickets in 160 games at an economy rate of 7.05, and makes it to #3 on this list due to the major impact he had on his teams' title triumphs.

Often bowling in the powerplay, Harbhajan has managed to keep most opposition batsmen in check throughout his career. He has the third-best economy rate among all bowlers to have played over 100 games, and his wicket-taking output has been high enough to pip the likes of Ashwin to this list.

Harbhajan didn't feature in IPL 2020 and is now 40 years old, but he's still expected to find a buyer at this year's auction - such is his greatness.

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#2 Sunil Narine

Sunil Narine

Sunil Narine is a slightly left-field choice at #2 as 7 bowlers have taken more wickets than him in IPL history. But the West Indian mystery spinner has revolutionised the way spinners bowl in T20 cricket, and his prime was so much higher than the other bowlers in consideration.

Bamboozling batsmen with his carrom balls and speed through the air, Narine was a force to be reckoned with during his first few years in the IPL. Issues with his action may have restricted the carrom ball to the rare appearance, but the 32-year-old is still one of the first names on the teamsheet for the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Narine has taken 127 wickets in 120 games at a stupendous economy rate of 6.77 (the highest among all bowlers who've played over 100 games). He has never conceded more than 8 runs per over in any of his IPL campaigns, and has taken over 15 wickets in a season 4 times.

A case could be made for Narine to be considered an all-rounder and not a bowler, but his batting is a recent discovery and didn't make itself known in most of his 9 IPL seasons.

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#1 Lasith Malinga

Lasith Malinga

Was there ever any doubt as to who would top this list? The leading wicket-taker in IPL history with 170 wickets in just 122 games at an average of 19.8 and an economy rate of 7.14, Lasith Malinga is easily the greatest bowler the league has ever seen.

Impeccable with his yorkers and slower balls, the Sri Lankan speedster played perhaps the most important role in most of the Mumbai Indians' title victories. Malinga was next to unplayable in his prime, and as his pace dropped with age, he adjusted brilliantly to remain a potent threat.

Malinga may not be part of the IPL anymore after being released by MI, but he is likely to be present on this list even a few years down the line.