Harshal Patel has taken 151 wickets in the IPL from 2012 to 2026. He won the Purple Cap twice, in 2021 with Royal Challengers Bengaluru and in 2024 with Punjab Kings. His 32 wickets in 2021 equal the record for most wickets in a single IPL season.
Harshal is a right arm medium fast bowler from Gujarat. His main weapon is the slower ball. He bowls it with different grips and speeds, and batters often struggle to read it. His best years came at the death, where he picked up wickets even when runs were flowing freely.
His journey was not smooth. He spent many seasons as a backup bowler at Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals. He played only a few games in 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2020. Then 2021 changed everything. He took 32 wickets and became the most feared death bowler in the league.
In 2025 he moved to Sunrisers Hyderabad for 8 crore. But IPL 2026 was a poor season for him. He played five games and did not take a single wicket. This page lists his wickets year by year, with the team, matches and best figures for every season of his career.
Harshal Patel IPL Wickets Overview
| Record | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total IPL wickets | 151 in 124 matches |
| Purple Caps won | 2 (2021 and 2024) |
| Best season | 32 wickets in 2021 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| Best bowling figures | 5/27 against Mumbai Indians in 2021 |
| Teams | Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Daredevils, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| Career span | 2012 to 2026 |
Harshal Patel Wickets Season by Season
| Season | Team | Matches | Wickets | Best | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 5 | 0 | 0/16 | 10.83 |
| 2025 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 13 | 16 | 4/28 | 9.81 |
| 2024 | Punjab Kings | 14 | 24 | 3/15 | 9.73 |
| 2023 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 14 | 14 | 3/32 | 9.66 |
| 2022 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 15 | 19 | 4/34 | 7.66 |
| 2021 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 15 | 32 | 5/27 | 8.14 |
| 2020 | Delhi Capitals | 5 | 3 | 2/34 | 8.93 |
| 2019 | Delhi Capitals | 2 | 2 | 2/40 | 9.62 |
| 2018 | Delhi Daredevils | 5 | 7 | 3/28 | 9.54 |
| 2017 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 1 | 3 | 3/43 | 10.75 |
| 2016 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 5 | 1 | 1/46 | 10.50 |
| 2015 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 15 | 17 | 2/12 | 7.48 |
| 2014 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 3 | 4 | 2/56 | 10.27 |
| 2012 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 12 | 9 | 2/24 | 8.29 |
Harshal did not play in 2010 even though Mumbai Indians bought him, and he did not get a game in 2013 or 2011. His IPL debut came in 2012 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Harshal Patel Purple Cap Seasons
Harshal won the Purple Cap for the first time in 2021. He took 32 wickets in 15 matches for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. That tally equalled the single season record. His best spell that year was 5/27 against Mumbai Indians.
He won the Purple Cap again in 2024, this time for Punjab Kings. He took 24 wickets in 14 matches and finished as the leading wicket taker of the season. Punjab Kings had bought him for 11.75 crore before that season, and he repaid them in full.
These two seasons stand far above the rest of his career. His next best year was 2022 with 19 wickets. No other bowler in IPL history has two Purple Cap seasons with two different teams in such a short gap.
What This Record Tells Us
Harshal Patel is a rare case of a bowler who peaked late. For nine seasons he was a squad player with modest returns. His slower ball then became one of the most feared weapons in the league, and two Purple Caps followed.
The numbers also show the risk of his style. His economy rate often climbs when his variations are not working. In 2025 he managed 16 wickets at 9.81 per over for Sunrisers Hyderabad, and 2026 was worse: five games, 148 runs conceded, zero wickets. He lost his place in the team and did not feature in the playoffs.
Still, 151 career wickets place him among the leading Indian pacers in IPL history. Very few bowlers have reinvented themselves at 30 the way he did. His 2021 season remains one of the greatest single season bowling efforts the league has seen.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many wickets has Harshal Patel taken in the IPL?
Harshal Patel has taken 151 wickets in 124 IPL matches from 2012 to 2026.
How many Purple Caps has Harshal Patel won?
Two. He won the Purple Cap in 2021 with 32 wickets for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and in 2024 with 24 wickets for Punjab Kings.
What is Harshal Patel best bowling in the IPL?
His best bowling figures are 5/27, recorded for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Mumbai Indians in 2021.
Which teams has Harshal Patel played for in the IPL?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Daredevils, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
How many wickets did Harshal Patel take in IPL 2026?
None. He played five matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2026, conceded 148 runs and took zero wickets.
When did Harshal Patel make his IPL debut?
He made his IPL debut in 2012 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, taking 9 wickets in 12 matches that season.
Statistics updated through: 8 October 2026
