The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are one of the most celebrated franchises in IPL history. It would be safe to say that they have been one of the greatest IPL teams in the league’s history. They have won 2 titles. Their maiden title being in 2012, and their second one being in 2014.
Only the Mumbai Indians (MI) and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have won more trophies.
Another point worth mentioning is the fact that KKR were initially a laughing stock in the IPL. However, it was under the leadership of Gautam Gambhir where they transformed themselves. Post the 2010s, they have been a force to reckon. In the last few seasons, their destructive batting order has been appreciated and feared by everyone. Thus, it takes skilful bowlers to dismiss the KKR batters.
So which are those bowlers who have done well against KKR?
Who have been the most successful bowlers against the Knight Riders?
In this article, we shall be looking at the top 5 highest wicket-takers against KKR in the league’s history.
5) Zaheer Khan (19 Wickets)
Zaheer Khan is unarguably one of the greatest Indian pacers of all time. During the days when India wasn’t known to be producing fast bowlers, he was a diamond in the rough. The legend was a regular feature in the IPL as well. He has played for the Mumbai Indians, Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) and the Royal Challengers Bangalore. His ability to pick wickets puts him fifth on the list of the most number of wickets against KKR in the history of the league.
He has picked 19 wickets in 15 matches, at an eco rate of 8.18, with the best being 3 of 21 runs. Currently, he is still with the Mumbai Indians and using all his experience to help the defending champions win another title.
4) R Vinay Kumar (19 Wickets)
Vinay Kumar might not have been the best bowler to have played the league, but he was certainly impactful and managed to do good during his time. Irresponsible of the fact that he had a bad habit of going for a few runs occasionally, he always had a knack for picking wickets. He has played for the now-defunct Kochi tuskers Kerala, Mumbai Indians, and the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
The pacer is fourth on the list of the most wickets picked against KKR by an India bowler in the league’s history. Vinay has taken 19 wickets in just 12 innings against KKR, at an amazing economy of 7.00 with a day best of 3/23.
3) Lasith Malinga (20 Wickets)
Slinga and Malinga is not only a legend but is also an inspiration for many. Various bowlers who want to learn the art of bowling in the shortest format of the game look up to him as an example and imitate his bowling style. However, what truly makes him great is his ability to execute the yorkers at will. Thus, this has also lead to him being the most successful IPL bowler of all time.
He has a superb record against almost every franchise. Among all those teams, KKR is included as well. He is third on the list of the most number of wickets picked against the Knight Riders. The Mumbai Indian’s most valuable player has taken 20 wickets with an economy of 7.59 in the 18 innings he played against the purple and gold army. Malinga’s best includes 4 wickets off 23 runs.
2) Ravichandran Ashwin (21 Wickets)
Ravichandran Ashwin has been an absolute legend of Indian cricket. He has a legacy of his own. We have calculated how many wickets that Ravi Ashwin will end up with in his international career. Check it out for fun! His legacy also includes the IPL, where he has been one of the biggest match-winners the league has ever seen. Seldom would you find a batter getting the better of him in an IPL game? His tendency to keep experimenting has always helped him achieve new heights. Thus, you would see his name in a lot of record books. Even against the mighty Knights, he has been a force to reckon.
The office is second on the list of the most wickets picked by an individual bowler against KKR. He has picked 21 wickets in 21 innings against them. While his economy rate is just above 7.5 against them, his best figures against them are three wickets off 16 runs.
1) Bhuvneshwar Kumar (28 Wickets)
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is arguably one of the greatest IPL pacers of all time. Very few bowlers have been as successful as Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the Indian T20 league. Over the years, he has been one of the most important players for the Sunrisers Hyderabad and has won several matches on his own.
He is only the second bowler after Dwayne Bravo to have won the Purple Cap on more than one occasion. It was in 2016 and 2017 when he won them. Thus, his record against the Knights are sensational, to say the least. He has taken the most number of wickets against them in IPL history. The SRH bowler has picked as many as 28 wickets against him in 22 innings.
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