Indian Premier Legue(PC: X/@IPL)
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed several breathtaking bowling performances, but only a handful of bowlers have dominated an entire season with their wicket-taking abilities. In the history of the tournament, Harshal Patel and Dwayne Bravo hold the record for the most wickets in a single IPL season, both taking 32 wickets in one campaign.
As IPL 2025 nears, let’s take a deep dive into their record-breaking seasons and analyze how their performances shaped their respective teams’ journeys.
Harshal Patel – 32 Wickets in IPL 2021 (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
In IPL 2021, Harshal Patel delivered a dream season for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), emerging as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 32 wickets in just 15 matches at an average of 14.34 and an economy rate of 8.14.
Key Highlights of Harshal Patel’s IPL 2021 Season:
✅ Took a brilliant 5-wicket haul (5/27) against Mumbai Indians in the season opener.
✅ Became the first bowler in IPL history to take a hat-trick against Mumbai Indians (4/17).
✅ Excelled as a death-over specialist, regularly picking up wickets in the final overs.
✅ Awarded the Purple Cap for finishing as the highest wicket-taker.
Harshal Patel’s variations, including the deceptive slower balls and yorkers, made him an indispensable asset for RCB. His ability to strike in crucial moments was one of the biggest reasons RCB reached the playoffs that year.
Dwayne Bravo – 32 Wickets in IPL 2013 (Chennai Super Kings)
Before Harshal Patel, the record for the most wickets in a single IPL season belonged solely to Dwayne Bravo, who picked up 32 wickets in 18 matches for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) during IPL 2013.
Key Highlights of Dwayne Bravo’s IPL 2013 Season:
✅ Played a crucial role in CSK’s journey to the IPL final.
✅ Took multiple wickets in the death overs, restricting opposition teams from posting big totals.
✅ Recorded his best bowling figures of 4/42 against Mumbai Indians.
✅ Won the Purple Cap as the leading wicket-taker of the season.
Bravo’s variations, especially his slow off-cutters and wide yorkers, proved to be unplayable in the death overs. His contributions with the ball helped CSK dominate the league stage, and although they lost in the final to Mumbai Indians, Bravo’s individual performance stood out.
Comparison of Harshal Patel & Dwayne Bravo’s Record Seasons
| Player | Season | Team | Matches | Wickets | Best Figures | Average | Economy Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harshal Patel | 2021 | RCB | 15 | 32 | 5/27 | 14.34 | 8.14 |
| Dwayne Bravo | 2013 | CSK | 18 | 32 | 4/42 | 15.53 | 7.95 |
Both players had phenomenal seasons, but Harshal Patel’s higher strike rate (wickets per ball bowled) and economy rate made his performance slightly more impactful in terms of efficiency.
Can This Record Be Broken in IPL 2025?
With bowlers like Rashid Khan, Jasprit Bumrah, Kagiso Rabada, and Mohammed Siraj in peak form, there’s a possibility that someone could surpass the 32-wicket mark in IPL 2025. The introduction of Impact Players could also allow bowlers more opportunities to take wickets.
As we head into IPL 2025, all eyes will be on the bowlers to see if they can rewrite history and break the record for most wickets in a single season.
