Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will open their IPL 2026 campaign on March 28 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. RCB finally claimed the trophy last year after defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs in the final in Ahmedabad.

Mumbai Indians (MI) will take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on March 29 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The first double-header of the season will happen on April 4, with Delhi Capitals (DC) playing MI in the day match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, followed by Gujarat Titans (GT) facing Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the evening clash in Ahmedabad.

Over the years, several overseas bowlers have been game-changers in the IPL. Here’s a look at the five overseas players with the most wickets in the tournament:

Trent Boult – 143 Wickets

New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult has bagged 143 wickets in 120 IPL appearances, at an average of 26.20 and an economy rate of 8.37, including two four-wicket hauls. Boult has represented five franchises, with his career-best figures being 4-18 for MI against CSK in Sharjah (2020). He also picked up 4-26 against SRH in the previous season. Boult was included in SRH’s 2016 title squad (one match) and starred in MI’s 2020 title run, claiming 3/30 in the final versus DC to win Player of the Match. For MI, he has taken 60 wickets in 45 games and will be back for the 2026 season.

Rashid Khan – 158 Wickets

Afghanistan’s star leg-spinner, Rashid Khan, has picked up 158 wickets in 136 IPL games, averaging 23.83 with an economy of 7.08 and two four-fors. Rashid played for SRH (2017–2021) before joining GT in 2022. His best bowling figures are 4-24 for GT against LSG in Pune (2022), along with 4-30 against MI in 2023. Rashid was part of GT’s title-winning debut season (2022), taking 19 wickets in 16 matches. In total, he has 65 wickets in 60 matches for GT and 93 wickets in 76 matches for SRH.

Lasith Malinga – 170 Wickets

Lasith Malinga finished his IPL career with 170 wickets from 122 matches, boasting an average of 19.79 and an economy rate of 7.14, including six four-fors and a five-wicket haul. Malinga represented MI exclusively from 2009 to 2019, with his best figures of 5-13 versus DC in 2011. He was instrumental in MI’s championship victories in 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019, including a tally of 24 wickets in 15 games in 2015, and delivered the decisive final over in 2019 to clinch the title by a single run.

Dwayne Bravo – 183 Wickets

The West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has taken 183 wickets in 161 IPL matches, averaging 23.82 with an economy of 8.38, including two four-wicket hauls. Bravo has played for MI, CSK, and Gujarat Lions. His top performance, 4-22, came for Gujarat Lions against PBKS in 2016, and he also took 4-42 for CSK against MI in the 2013 final. Bravo contributed to CSK’s IPL title wins in 2011, 2018, and 2021, and holds a joint record for most wickets in a season, 32 in 2013.

Sunil Narine – 192 Wickets

The mystery spinner from the West Indies, Sunil Narine, tops the list with 192 wickets in 189 IPL matches, all for KKR. He averages 25.63 with an economy of 6.79, including seven four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul. His best figures are 5-19 against PBKS in 2012. Narine has played a crucial role in all KKR title wins, including 24 wickets in 15 matches in 2012 at an economy of 5.47, and 17 wickets in 15 matches during KKR’s 2024 championship.

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