Dwayne Bravo surpasses Lasith Malinga to become highest wicket-taker in IPL history

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bowler Dwayne Bravo went past former Mumbai Indians (MI) pacer Lasith Malinga’s tally of 170 wickets as he became the highest wicket-taker in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Bravo achieved the feat by picking up the wicket of Deepak Hooda in the 18th over of Lucknow Super Giants’ run-chase in Match seven of IPL 2022 at the Brabourne Stadium. West Indies international Bravo has now taken 171 wickets in 153 matches at an average of 24.07 and strike rate of 17.3.

The Caribbean all-rounder has appeared in the league since its introduction in the year 2008. He was bought by MI as he played for the franchise for three years. In 2011, the right arm medium seamer was snapped up by CSK in the mega auction. He won the title in his very first year with the franchise in the same year but the 2013 season was a dream edition for Bravo as he won the purple cap for taking 32 wickets in that season. Bravo, who was tied with Malinga with 170 scalps, overtook him to top the chart now. Amit Mishra, Piyush Chawla, and Harbhajan are the three spinners who occupy the next three spots on this list.

Most wickets in the IPL:

Dwayne Bravo is the only foreign bowler to win the purple cap award twice in the history of the tournament. He first grabbed the award in the 2013 IPL for taking 32 wickets as CSK reached the finals in that season only to lose to MI. In 18 matches, he bowled with an average of 15.53 and a strike rate of 11.7. His economy rate was 7.95 with the best figures of 4/42. In the 2015 edition, it was Déjà vu as Bravo won the purple cap and CSK lost to MI again in the summit clash. In 16 innings he bowled with a 16.38 average and 12.0 strike rate.

Notably, Bravo is also one of the two bowlers to win the prestigious purple cap award twice in the league. India’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar registered this special feat in consecutive seasons in 2016 and 2017. Known for his slower ones and bowling at the death for CSK, Bravo also holds the record with Harshal Patel for taking the most wickets in a single IPL season. Bravo’s tally of 32 scalps in the 2013 season was equaled by Royal Challengers Bangalore bowler Harshal in last year’s IPL. The West Indian has also taken the most wickets (93) in the death-overs in the history of the league. Malinga is second behind him with 90 scalps in the final overs. A champion all-rounder Bravo has won three trophies with the Chennai-based franchise in the years 2011, 2018, and 2021.