IPL 2023: Which Overseas Players Are Likely To Take The Highest Wickets?

The new season of Indian Premier League will be held from March 31, 2023 to May 28, 2023 with ten teams, featuring big name players from across the world, battling for the coveted title.

IPL 2023 is set start on March 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where the defending champions Gujarat Titans will face four-time winner Chennai Super Kings in the curtain raiser.

Wanindu Hasaranga, Rashid Khan and Maheesh Theekshana

Like the previous editions, the much-anticipated cricket extravaganza will see many Indian and overseas stars alongside some relative unknowns represent their respective franchise.

In every season, an individual brilliance or consistent performance has a huge baring on where their team finishes. While batters win matches, it's the bowlers that help win the title on most occasions.

Over the 15 editions, we have seen at least 13 different players end the season as the highest wicket-taker (Purple Cap winner), while two players have topped the leaderboard for most wickets more than once.

Among the 13 highest wicket-takers in previous seasons, six are Indian players, while seven are overseas players. Dwayne Bravo, who retired ahead of 2023 edition, has ended an IPL season as the leading wicket-taker twice.

Sohail Tanvir, Andrew Tye, Lasith Malinga, Morne Morkel and Kagiso Rabada are the overseas players that have all finished top of the leaderboard for most wickets in a season.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar (twice), Mohit Sharma, Pragyan Ojha, RP Singh, Harshal Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal are the six Indian players that finished a season of the Indian Premier League as the highest wicket-takers.

This season too there will be some star names from across the globe competing in IPL, including former Purple Cap winners Chahal, Patel and Rabada. So, let's take a look the overseas players which are likely to take the highest wickets in IPL 2023.

Wanindu Hasaranga (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

The Sri Lankan leggie came very close to winning the Purple Cap last year, claiming 26 wickets including a 5-wicket haul, in 16 matches. If RCB go deep in the tournament and he features in all their matches, Hasaranga will be once again in the top wicket-takers list in IPL 2023.

Rashid Khan (Gujarat Titans)

The Afghan spinner has been one of the most consistent performer in IPL since he made his debut. In the title-winning year, Rashid took 19 wickets in 16 matches for Gujarat Titans.

And with games set to be played across venues in India, Rashid will once again be crucial for the champions and if he features in all the matches, he is likely to be challenging for his first-ever Purple Cap.

Kagiso Rabada (Punjab Kings)

The South African quick is another consistent performer in the IPL. In IPL 2022, Rabada finished third in the list for most wickets in the season with 23 scalps in 13 matches. If he features in all of Punjab Kings' matches and the team go deep in the tournament, Rabada will have a chance to win his second Purple Cap in IPL.

Trent Boult (Rajasthan Royals)

The Kiwi seamer has been terrific in the powerplay, doing all the damage very early in the innings. Also a consistent performer, Boult took 16 wickets in 16 matches last season.

With chances of him being available for the full tournament and if Rajasthan Royals repeat their feat from last year, Boult will be among the top wicket-takers this season.

Maheesh Theekshana (Chennai Super Kings)

The Sri Lankan spinner is another consistent performer in IPL and has the ability to pick wickets inside the powerplay as well.

He took only 12 wickets in 9 matches last season, but with Chennai Super Kings returning to their home, Theekshana will be tough to get away for the opposition. Hence, he will be up there challenging for the Purple Cap if he gets to play in most of CSK's matches this season.