4 South African seamers feature among Delhi Capital's top 9 wicket-takers in IPL history
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The Delhi Capitals have had incredible firepower in their bowling attack over the years, with several players making a significant impact with their wicket-taking credentials.
Despite their impressive list of representatives, the Capitals have never won the IPL having lost their only final appearance to the Mumbai Indians in 2020.
Here’s a closer look at the nine top wicket-takers in the franchise’s history.
9. Chris Morris – 41 wickets for DC in 34 IPL matches
Chris Morris was a vital all-rounder for Delhi, known for his ability to bowl pace and strike in crucial moments.
His 41 wickets have come at an average of 24.31, with career-best figures of 4/26.
The game-changing spell against the Gujarat Lions in 2016 was a testament to his skill in removing batters economically.
The South African was the most expensive player in the IPL auction in 2021 when he was bought for 16.25 crore (£1.6 million).
8. Khaleel Ahmed – 42 wickets for DC in 33 IPL matches
Ahmed’s left-arm pace has added much-needed variety to the franchise’s bowling attack since 2022.
The most admirable part of his success has been his average of 17.45 as he’s been prolific in his hunt for wickets so far.
In 2023, he delivered a standout performance of 3/25 against Sunrisers Hyderabad where his early breakthroughs set the tone for a big win.
He was previously an IPL net bowler before being picked up in the competition.
=7. Umesh Yadav – 47 wickets for DC in 51 IPL matches
His raw pace and aggression were a big part of Dehli’s bowling arsenal in the early years of the franchise.
He often limited the scoring of the world’s best batters with an economy of 7.93 including a devastating spell against Royers Challengers Bangalore where he rattled their top order in 2012.
Yadav’s journey to cricket wasn’t always easy with him working as a coal miner before pursuing a cricket career.
=7. Kuldeep Yadav – 47 wickets for DC in 39 IPL matches
The wrist spin of Kuldeep brought another dimension to the bowling attack of the Dehli Capitals.
His career-best figures of 4/14 are almost unbelievable alongside an equally impressive average of 18.08 highlighting his aggressive yet effective style of bowling.
This T20 star has been rewarded for his IPL exploits with regular inclusions in the India national side where he’s been equally successful.
His class would make you think he’d been ripping spin since he could walk, but Yadav initially bowled pace before switching his style.
Also read: Listing every Indian Premier League century since 2017 – record number of tons in 2024
5. Morne Morkel – 51 wickets for DC in 41 IPL matches
Morkel’s height and pace made him a formidable force in the IPL where he struck on average every 18.58 deliveries for the Dehli Capitals between 2011 and 2013.
The speed of his bowling made him a huge force for the franchise with his rapid bowling taking vital wickets and proving difficult to score off with an economy of 7.52 for the franchise.
His standout performance of 4/20 against the Deccan Chargers and the fastest ball of the IPL season at 94mph topped off a perfect 2012 for the Capitals.
4. Anrich Nortje – 60 wickets for DC in 46 IPL matches
The Proteas former three-format paceman used his aggressive and accurate bowling to be prolific in the IPL and become a fan favourite in Delhi.
He will be remembered for one specific fiery spell in 2020 against the Rajasthan Royals where he claimed figures of 3/33 and consistently clocked speeds of over 95mph.
That 2020 season was arguably Nortje’s absolute prime and what made the year more impressive was the fact that he joined the Capitals as a replacement having been initially ruled out for the campaign through injury.
3. Axar Patel – 62 wickets for DC in 82 IPL matches
Left-arm spin is notoriously effective in T20 cricket with Patel a key cog in the Delhi Capitals engine over 82 matches.
His economical bowling leaks just 7.06 runs a game and a series of clutch performances including a best of 3/21 have choked the opposition’s run chase.
We all know the Indian international as Axar but his real name is Akshar – a spelling error on his school certificate led to him being known as Axar by all!
2. Kagiso Rabada – 76 wickets for DC in 50 IPL matches
Rabada has been the pick of the Capital’s list of ruthless South Africa fast bowlers over the years with his impressive cameo stretching from 2017 to 2021.
Despite being a prolific Test cricketer for his nation, Rabada’s versatility has won plaudits topped off by franchise-best bowling figures of 4/21.
But the pick of his IPL moments is undoubtedly his performance in a 2020 Super Over against his current Kings XI Punjab side where he defended just 10 runs.
Bullet like bowling isn’t his only talent with the seamer also having a successful rap career as a musician.
1. Amit Mishra – 110 wickets for DC in 103 IPL matches
One of the Dehli Capital’s greatest servants in a tenure spanning from the inaugural IPL season in 2008 to 2021, Mishra has played 103 matches!
The leg spinner and franchise legend has career-best figures of 5/17 and made a name for himself as a star for a long time to come with a magical spell in 2008 where he claimed a hat trick against the Deccan Chargers.
This wasn’t his only IPL hat trick – Mishra claimed the feat an almighty three times in his time with the Capitals.
Read next: Full list of captains for 2025 Indian Premier League
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