On a pleasant May night in Lucknow while an expectant crowd waited, Harshal Patel made an entry that will always be remembered in Indian Premier League history. Patel picked up Aiden Markram, with his slower ball – his 150th IPL wicket, and became the fastest bowler in IPL history (in terms of balls bowled) to the landmark. This didn’t make him just a record-breaker, it made him faster than legends like Lasith Malinga and Jasprit Bumrah, being the next man up in re-defining a “modern day IPL great.”
A Trajectory of Update
Harshal Patel’s journey through the IPL hasn’t been a straight line by any means. What seemed like a “journeyman” career allowed him to amend where he was headed through sheer commitment to improving himself and deception. Patel stated once, “Every wicket is a story.” While thinking back on his turnaround, he said, “I have learned from every over, every batter, every failure.
The league has shaped me to who I am.” His teammates also talk about his hard work and humility. “He is usually the first person in training and the last person to leave,” another Sunrisers Hyderabad player said. “He is a leader and sets an example, and you can feel his energy around everyone!”
Among the Legends
Patel took his 150th wicket in just 2381 balls, breaking Malinga’s record of 2444 balls to 150. While Malinga still holds the record for the fastest player to 150 wickets by number of innings (105), Patel is in the company of greats, and showed that he is not only an exceptional wicket-taker, but he also has consistency and takes wickets at critical times for his team. He is now the fastest Indian player to 150 wickets, even faster than Yuzvendra Chahal. Patel now has the best strike rate of any bowler who has taken 150+ IPL wickets.
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A Season to Remember
At 34 years old, Patel continues to surprise and amass wickets in IPL 2025, already collecting 15 wickets in 11 games as a vital piece for Sunrisers Hyderabad. When you think about the narrative of Patel’s journey from being released to being traded, before then winning two Purple Caps (2021 and 2024) and now obliterating the all-time record, it is a true cricket fairytale.
Statistical Showdown: Patel vs. Malinga vs. Bumrah
| Bowler | Matches | Innings | Wickets | Balls to 150 | Strike Rate |
| Harshal Patel | 120 | 114 | 150 | 2381 | 15.9 |
| Lasith Malinga | 122 | 122 | 170 | 2444 | 16.6 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 141 | 133 | 165 | 3053 | 18.5 |
Legacy in the Making
As we continue to see improvements in the IPL, Harshal Patel’s achievement becomes a shining light for aspiring bowlers. He has demonstrated that you can break the most difficult records if you apply grit, flexibility, and your heart. Harshal did not just break records previously held by legends like Malinga and Bumrah, they inspired an entire generation to dream even bigger.
“Records are broken all the time,” Harshal said, smiling after the match, “but I will remember everything. The journey, the memories, the friends, that’s what I will cherish.” Harshal Patel’s 150th IPL wicket is not just the number of wickets he has taken, it is a celebration of resilience, reinvention, and having the spirit of cricket.
Written By Smita Singh
