In a competition where captaincy is measured not just by performance but tactics, too, the Indian Premier League has had a few captains excel with the ball. The list of captains who have taken the most number of wickets in the IPL continues to be one of the finest feats of any bowling captain. On Monday, Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins became the second person to achieve this remarkable feat as his side secured an important victory against Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026.
Cummins was successful in taking 3 for 28 and taking his wicket tally as captain to 41 wickets. With that, he surpassed Hardik Pandya’s tally of 40 wickets to become the most successful active captain in the history of IPL. Only Shane Warne, who has 57 wickets to his name, stands ahead of the Australian fast bowler.
Most Wickets as Captain in IPL History
| Name of Captains | No. of wickets taken |
| Shane Warne | 57 |
| Pat Cummins | 41 |
| Hardik Pandya | 40 |
| Anil Kumble | 30 |
| Ravichandran Ashwin | 25 |
1. Shane Warne – 57 Wickets
The record of being the highest wicket taker while being a captain in IPL cricket is still held by Shane Warne. Shane Warne took 57 wickets while playing for his team from 2008 till 2011 in a total of 55 matches. His greatest moment was when he led the team in the first-ever IPL tournament in 2008 and won the trophy for the Rajasthan Royals.
2. Pat Cummins – 41 Wickets
However, Cummins has moved up the list at lightning speed since becoming the skipper of Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2024. The fast bowler has proved to be an excellent leader and consistent performer. His recent performance against the Chennai Super Kings has seen his name moving to the second position on the all-time list. He needs just 16 wickets to beat Warne’s tally.
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3. Hardik Pandya – 40 Wickets
Among all Indian captains on this list, Hardik Pandya is the one with most success in terms of number of wickets taken, which stands at 40 wickets. Pandya achieved his feat during his stint with Gujarat Titans followed by Mumbai Indians. The most remarkable of Pandya’s achievements is his five-wicket haul in the 2025 season against Lucknow Super Giants.
4. Anil Kumble – 30 Wickets
Legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble took 30 wickets as captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Kumble led RCB to the IPL final in 2009 and produced one of the greatest spells in a title match, taking 4 for 16 against Deccan Chargers. His ability to lead from the front remains one of the defining stories of the early IPL years.
5. Ravichandran Ashwin – 25 Wickets
Completing the list of top five bowlers is Ravichandran Ashwin with 25 wickets under his captaincy. The feat was accomplished under his captaincy during the two seasons of Kings XI Punjab in 2018 and 2019. As a captain, he displayed tactical acumen and daring moves in his game.
