Sunil Narine IPL wickets tell the story of one of the greatest bowling careers in T20 league history. Since his debut in 2012, the mystery spinner from Trinidad has played every single season for the Kolkata Knight Riders and has taken 207 wickets in 202 matches. No bowler in IPL history has taken more wickets for one team, and in May 2026 he became the first bowler ever to reach 200 IPL wickets while playing for a single franchise.
His career has had everything: a Purple Cap season, two Most Valuable Player awards, three title wins with KKR, and some lean seasons where his bowling stayed tight but the wickets did not come. Below is his complete season by season record, with matches, wickets, best figures, average and economy for every year from 2012 to 2026.
Sunil Narine IPL Wickets Overview
| Detail | Record |
|---|---|
| Record holder | Sunil Narine |
| Team | Kolkata Knight Riders |
| IPL seasons | 2012 to 2026 (15 seasons) |
| Total matches | 202 |
| Total wickets | 207 |
| Best season | 24 wickets in 2012 |
| Best bowling figures | 5 for 19 |
| Career economy rate | 6.78 |
| Career bowling average | 27.05 |
| Landmark | First bowler to take 200 IPL wickets for a single franchise |
Sunil Narine IPL Wickets Season by Season
| Season | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Average | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 15 | 24 | 5 for 19 | 13.50 | 5.47 |
| 2013 | 16 | 22 | 4 for 13 | 15.90 | 5.46 |
| 2014 | 16 | 21 | 4 for 20 | 19.38 | 6.35 |
| 2015 | 8 | 7 | 4 for 19 | 33.42 | 7.31 |
| 2016 | 11 | 11 | 3 for 26 | 27.63 | 7.09 |
| 2017 | 16 | 10 | 2 for 29 | 41.20 | 6.98 |
| 2018 | 16 | 17 | 3 for 18 | 27.47 | 7.65 |
| 2019 | 12 | 10 | 2 for 19 | 34.70 | 7.82 |
| 2020 | 10 | 5 | 2 for 28 | 60.40 | 7.94 |
| 2021 | 14 | 16 | 4 for 21 | 22.56 | 6.44 |
| 2022 | 14 | 9 | 2 for 21 | 34.67 | 5.57 |
| 2023 | 14 | 11 | 3 for 33 | 34.82 | 7.98 |
| 2024 | 15 | 17 | 2 for 22 | 21.65 | 6.69 |
| 2025 | 12 | 12 | 3 for 13 | 29.25 | 7.80 |
| 2026 | 13 | 15 | Not officially confirmed | 22.60 | 6.65 |
Record History
Narine announced himself in 2012 with 24 wickets at an average of just 13.50, the best economy and average of his career. He won the Purple Cap and the Most Valuable Player award in his very first season, and KKR lifted the title. He backed it up with 22 wickets in 2013 and 21 in 2014, helping KKR win a second title in 2014.
The middle years were difficult. Between 2015 and 2017 his action came under scrutiny, he bowled fewer overs, and his wicket counts dropped to 7, 11 and 10. Yet his economy rate stayed under 7.40 in each of those seasons, which showed how hard he was to score off even when the wickets dried up.
He bounced back in 2018 with 17 wickets and his second MVP award. After a career low of 5 wickets in the 2020 season in the UAE, he rebuilt again with 16 wickets in 2021 and played his part in KKR third title in 2024 with 17 wickets.
The biggest landmark came on 3 May 2026. Playing against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Narine returned 2 for 31 and became the first overseas bowler to take 200 IPL wickets. All 200 of those wickets had come for KKR, which made him the first player to take 200 IPL wickets for a single franchise. He finished the 2026 season with 15 wickets, taking his career tally to 207. As attention turns to the IPL 2027 auction, Narine legacy with KKR stays the benchmark for overseas spinners in the league.
What This Record Tells Us
Narine record is built on economy first and wickets second. Across 15 seasons his career economy is 6.78, which is remarkable for someone who has bowled more than 826 overs in the highest scoring T20 league in the world. Even in seasons where his average shot up, like 2017 and 2020, he still gave away less than eight runs per over.
The numbers also show his second career as an all rounder. From 2017 he became KKR pinch hitter, and that role change cost him overs but kept him central to the team. His wicket counts fell in that period, but he stayed in the side because his economy stayed elite.
Finally, the one team story matters. Few overseas players stay with a single IPL franchise for 15 straight seasons. KKR trust in him, and his reply of 207 wickets at under 6.80 an over, is why he is among the most successful overseas players the league has ever seen.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many IPL wickets does Sunil Narine have?
Sunil Narine has taken 207 IPL wickets in 202 matches for the Kolkata Knight Riders, across the 2012 to 2026 seasons.
Which is Sunil Narine best IPL season for wickets?
His best season was 2012, when he took 24 wickets in 15 matches at an average of 13.50 and an economy of 5.47, winning the Purple Cap.
What are Sunil Narine best bowling figures in the IPL?
His best bowling figures are 5 for 19, taken in his debut season of 2012.
When did Sunil Narine take his 200th IPL wicket?
He reached 200 IPL wickets on 3 May 2026 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, becoming the first bowler to take 200 IPL wickets for a single franchise and the first overseas bowler to reach 200.
Has Sunil Narine played for any IPL team other than KKR?
No. He has played all 15 of his IPL seasons, from 2012 to 2026, for the Kolkata Knight Riders.
How many titles has Sunil Narine won with KKR?
He has been part of all three KKR title winning campaigns: 2012, 2014 and 2024.
Statistics updated through: 7 October 2026
