Ever since the inception of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008, there have been a lot of dramatic and unforgettable moments.
Mumbai Indians (MI), who have won the IPL five times (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020), are the most successful team in the league. In fact, they one of only two teams to successfully defend their title along with their biggest rivals, Chennai Super Kings (2010, 2011).
The world’s best players take part in this larger-than-life cricketing extravaganza every year. The same goes for MI. It is often the batsmen who are the most revered. Just ask Chris Gayle. However, the bowlers play an equal part, and the Blues from Bombay have had a lot of match-winning bowlers in their ranks over the years.
From South African legend Shaun Pollock in the inaugural edition, to one of the finest bowlers in the world at the moment in Jasprit Bumrah, MI have been blessed to have bowlers who could single-handedly turn the tide in MI's favour.
However, a certain Sri Lankan with a bowling action as unique as his hairstyle was MI's SOS in dire situations. Yes, we are talking about Lasith Malinga, the king of curls!
Who is the all-time highest wicket-taker in Mumbai Indians’ history?
As you might have already guessed, Lasith Malinga is the highest wicket-taker in MI's history. The Slinga played his first game for the franchise in the 2009 edition, which took place in South Africa.
Since then, Malinga had 195 scalps to his name as an MI bowler before calling it quits after the 2019 edition. As luck would have it, Malinga bowled the final over of the 2019 IPL final against Chennai Super Kings and took a wicket off the last ball to help MI win by 1 run.
He won the Purple Cap just once, in the 2011 edition, when he took 28 wickets in 16 games at a miserly economy rate of 5.95, while also recording his best-ever figures of 5/13, against the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals).
Mumbai Indians’ top 10 wicket takers in IPL
Jasprit Bumrah follows Malinga as the second-highest wicket taker for MI in IPL, with 148 wickets to his name. Malinga and Bumrah epitomized the ‘master and apprentice’ monikers and formed arguably the most lethal bowling duo in IPL history, helping MI win four titles in the span of seven seasons.
Harbhajan Singh, the ‘Turbanator’, and Kieron Pollard are the third and fourth-highest wicket takers for MI, with 147 and 79 wickets respectively.
Mitchell McClenaghan, the Pandya brothers, and Munaf Patel are some other bowlers who make it to the top 10 list.
However, only Jasprit Bumrah still plays for MI, although he will be missing the entirety of this season due to an injury.
Player | Span | Matches | Wickets | Econ. | Average | Best |
Lasith Malinga | 2009-2019 | 139 | 195 | 7.12 | 19.35 | 5/13 |
Jasprit Bumrah | 2013-present | 123 | 148 | 7.40 | 23.39 | 5/10 |
Harbhajan Singh | 2008-2017 | 158 | 147 | 6.96 | 26.55 | 5/18 |
Kieron Pollard | 2010-2022 | 211 | 79 | 8.66 | 31.25 | 4/44 |
Mitchell McClenaghan | 2015-2019 | 56 | 71 | 8.49 | 25.39 | 4/21 |
Krunal Pandya | 2016-2021 | 84 | 51 | 7.36 | 34.76 | 3/14 |
Munaf Patel | 2011-2013 | 32 | 42 | 7.32 | 20.92 | 5/21 |
Hardik Pandya | 2015-2021 | 92 | 42 | 9.06 | 31.26 | 3/20 |
Rahul Chahar | 2019-2021 | 39 | 41 | 7.40 | 25.82 | 4/27 |
Pragyan Ojha | 2012-2015 | 50 | 40 | 7.62 | 31.40 | 3/11 |