Rashid Khan Wickets in IPL Career

Rashid Khan has established himself as one of the most successful overseas spin bowlers in IPL history. The Afghanistan leg-spinner made his IPL debut with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2017 and spent five seasons with the franchise before joining Gujarat Titans ahead of the 2022 campaign. His quick-arm action, deceptive googly and ability to attack without conceding runs have made him a generational T20 bowler.

Through the end of the 2026 IPL season, Rashid has played 153 matches and taken 179 wickets, placing him firmly among the top ten wicket-takers in the tournament’s history. He passed Lasith Malinga’s tally of 170 IPL wickets during the 2026 season, a symbolic moment that confirmed his place among the league’s all-time greats.

Career Numbers

Rashid’s IPL career figures reflect remarkable consistency across a decade. His economy rate of 7.28 is exceptional for a bowler who has operated largely in the middle overs against the world’s best T20 batters, and his strike rate of under 20 balls per wicket shows he has always been a genuine wicket-taker rather than merely a containing option.

Rashid has bowled 3,530 balls in the IPL and conceded 4,282 runs. He has three four-wicket hauls and, remarkably for a bowler of his wicket tally, is yet to take an IPL five-wicket haul, a quirk that reflects how captains use him in short, high-impact spells rather than extended ones.

Season-by-Season Journey

Rashid’s IPL story began in 2017 when Sunrisers Hyderabad picked him as a relatively unknown 18-year-old from Afghanistan. He took to the league immediately, and his early seasons with SRH established him as the most economical spinner in the tournament. His partnership with Bhuvneshwar Kumar gave Hyderabad one of the great new-ball and middle-overs combinations.

His most productive IPL campaign came in 2023 with Gujarat Titans, when he took 27 wickets as the Titans reached the final. That season showcased Rashid at his absolute peak: unplayable googlies, fearless attacking lines, and crucial wickets in every phase of the innings. After quieter seasons in 2024 and 2025, he returned strongly in 2026 with 21 wickets, including a match-winning 4 for 33 against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur.

The Gujarat Titans Chapter

Rashid was one of Gujarat Titans’ three draft picks ahead of the 2022 mega auction, retained for 15 crore rupees as the franchise built its squad around him, Hardik Pandya and Shubman Gill. He played a central role in the Titans’ title win in their debut season, and his all-round value, handy lower-order hitting included, has made him one of the first names on the team sheet every season.

Ahead of the 2026 mega auction cycle, the Titans retained Rashid for 18 crore rupees, making him one of the most expensive players in the league and underlining his status as a franchise cornerstone. His final match of the 2026 season came against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final at Ahmedabad.

Bowling Style and Tactics

What makes Rashid unique is his pace through the air. Bowling his leg-breaks and googlies at speeds that trouble even set batters, he gives them no time to adjust. His googly is among the most difficult deliveries to pick in world cricket, and his ability to bowl it with the same action as his leg-break has earned him wickets across every league on the planet.

In the IPL, captains have typically held him back for the middle overs, where his economy strangles batting sides and forces mistakes. His middle-overs economy has consistently been among the best in the league, and his record against both right and left-handers shows few weaknesses.

Among the All-Time Greats

Rashid’s 179 wickets place him in elite company. The all-time IPL wicket charts are led by Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Sunil Narine, all of whom have crossed 200 wickets. Rashid reached his tally in fewer matches than most of his rivals, and his economy rate is the best among the top ten wicket-takers, a remarkable achievement for a spinner in the modern high-scoring era.

At 28 years old, Rashid has many seasons ahead of him. If he maintains his fitness and form, 200 IPL wickets is a realistic target, which would make him the first overseas spinner to reach the milestone.

Beyond the IPL

Rashid’s IPL success is part of a broader T20 legacy. He was the fastest bowler to 700 T20 wickets in all formats, a staggering achievement that reflects his workload across the world’s franchise leagues. He has captained Afghanistan and remains the standard-bearer for his country’s extraordinary cricketing rise.

But it is in the IPL, against the best batters in the world, season after season, that Rashid built his reputation. From an unknown teenager in 2017 to a 179-wicket great in 2026, his journey mirrors the rise of Afghanistan cricket itself.

Rashid’s influence extends beyond his own performances. He has inspired a generation of Afghan cricketers and shown young spinners worldwide that there is a path to the top of the franchise game. His journey from age-group cricket in Afghanistan to the biggest T20 league on the planet remains one of the sport’s great stories.

How many wickets has Rashid Khan taken in the IPL?

Through the end of the 2026 season, Rashid Khan has taken 179 wickets in 153 IPL matches at an average of 23.92 and an economy rate of 7.28.

What are Rashid Khan’s best IPL bowling figures?

Rashid Khan’s best IPL figures are 4 for 24. He has three four-wicket hauls in his IPL career but is yet to take a five-wicket haul.

Which teams has Rashid Khan played for in the IPL?

Rashid Khan played for Sunrisers Hyderabad from 2017 to 2021 and has played for Gujarat Titans since 2022.

What was Rashid Khan’s best IPL season?

Rashid Khan’s most productive IPL season was 2023, when he took 27 wickets for Gujarat Titans as the team reached the final.

How much was Rashid Khan retained for in 2026?

Gujarat Titans retained Rashid Khan for 18 crore rupees ahead of the 2026 season, making him one of the most expensive players in the league.

Has Rashid Khan won the IPL?

Yes. Rashid Khan was part of the Gujarat Titans squad that won the IPL title in their debut season in 2022.