In a fast-paced T20 format, where a couple of Overs might tilt the contest in favour of a particular team, the Powerplay Overs (1-6) become very crucial in setting the tone for the bowling or batting side for the remaining part of the innings.
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As far as the ongoing 16th season of the Indian Premier League is concerned, fast bowlers in Trent Boult (7 wickets), Mohammed Siraj (7 wickets), and Arshdeep Singh (6 wickets) have done exceedingly well for their respective teams so far in this particular phase with the new ball.
Siraj in particular, who is also donning the Purple Cap at present after seven matches, has been the standout performer in the Powerplay for the RCB, bowling at an economy rate of mere 4.87 during this phase.
Boult, on the other hand, has already taken two consecutive double-wicket maidens for Rajasthan Royals, against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals in the ongoing season, while conceding runs in this phase at mere 6.06 runs per Over across the six innings thus far.
Most Wickets in Powerplay in IPL History
As far as the most number of wickets during the Powerplay Overs in the history of the IPL is concerned, Boult takes the sixth spot in the list with 47 wickets under his belt across 84 innings, at an praiseworthy economy rate of 7.01 runs per Over.
Placed at the top of the list is the Indian and Sunrisers Hyderabad pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has scalped 58 wickets in the Powerplay across 150 IPL innings, at an economy rate of 6.00.
The likes of Sandeep Sharma (54), Umesh Yadav (53), Zaheer Khan (52), and Ravichandran Ashwin (47) follow Bhuvneshwar in the list.
Bowler | Innings | Wickets | Economy rate |
Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 150 | 58 | 6.00 |
Sandeep Sharma | 107 | 54 | 6.88 |
Umesh Yadav | 123 | 53 | 7.56 |
Zaheer Khan | 99 | 52 | 6.74 |
Ravichandran Ashwin | 120 | 47 | 6.67 |
Five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians, and four-time title holders Chennai Super Kings are placed at the first and second spot respectively in the list of IPL teams with most wickets in the Powerplay.
While MI bowlers have scalped 353 wickets across 237 innings, CSK have dismissed 325 batters in this phase across 215 innings.
Following them in the top-5 list are Delhi Capitals (318 wickets), Royal Challengers Bangalore (311 wickets), and Punjab Kings (301 wickets.)