Taking wickets in the powerplay is one of the toughest jobs in the IPL. Batters attack from the first ball, but these bowlers still found ways to strike early and change games.
1. Kagiso Rabada – 17 Wickets ( 2026)
Kagiso Rabada matched the all-time IPL record with 17 powerplay wickets in 2026. His pace, bounce, and attacking bowling made him a nightmare for opening batters.
2. Mohammed Shami – 17 Wickets ( 2023)
Mohammed Shami was unstoppable in IPL 2023. Bowling for Gujarat Titans, he consistently picked wickets with seam movement and perfect line-and-length bowling.
3. Mitchel Johnson – 16 Wickets (2013)
Mitchell Johnson brought raw pace and aggression in IPL 2013. He attacked batters from the start and became one of Mumbai Indians’ biggest match-winners that season.
4. Trent Boult – 16 Wickets (2020)
Trent Boult dominated the powerplay with swing and accuracy during Mumbai Indians’ title-winning 2020 campaign. His early breakthroughs often put teams under pressure instantly.
5. Mohit Sharma – 15 Wickets (2013)
Mohit Sharma proved that smart bowling can be just as effective as pace. His disciplined lines and clever variations helped him shine in the 2013 season.
Other Notable Seasons
Deepak Chahar – 15 wickets (2019)
Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 15 wickets (2026)
Umesh Yadav – 14 wickets (2018)
Mohammed Siraj – 13 wickets (2026)
Final Word
Powerplay wickets can completely change a T20 match, and these bowlers mastered the art of striking early. Whether it was Rabada’s pace, Shami’s accuracy, or Boult’s swing, each of them delivered unforgettable IPL seasons.
