Ravindra Jadeja Enters IPL Top 10 Wicket-Takers, Leading Rajasthan Royals to Victory
Jadeja Surpasses Malinga in IPL Wicket-Taking Rankings
In a remarkable achievement, Ravindra Jadeja, the all-rounder for Rajasthan Royals (RR), has overtaken the legendary Lasith Malinga to secure the 9th position among the highest wicket-takers in Indian Premier League (IPL) history. This milestone was reached during RR's opening match of IPL 2026 against his previous team, Chennai Super Kings, held in Guwahati on Monday.
Jadeja showcased his bowling prowess by claiming two crucial wickets, dismissing Shivam Dube and Sarfaraz Khan. With this performance, he now boasts a total of 172 wickets from 255 matches, maintaining an average of 30.26, which includes a notable five-wicket haul, surpassing Malinga's record of 170 wickets.
A Triumphant Return to Rajasthan Royals
Jadeja's journey in the IPL began with the Rajasthan Royals, where he was part of the squad that clinched the title in 2008. He later became a key player for Chennai Super Kings after joining them in 2012. Under MS Dhoni's captaincy, Jadeja significantly contributed to CSK's championship victories in 2018, 2021, and 2023, excelling in batting, bowling, and fielding.
As the 2026 season approached, Jadeja made a notable return to the Rajasthan Royals through a significant trade deal with CSK, reuniting with the franchise alongside Sam Curran, while Sanju Samson transitioned to the five-time champions.
Match Highlights: RR vs CSK
In the match, Rajasthan Royals triumphed over Chennai Super Kings by eight wickets, thanks to impressive bowling performances from Jofra Archer, Jadeja, and Nandre Burger, along with a stellar half-century from Vaibhav Suryavanshi.
RR chose to bowl first, and the bowling trio made it difficult for CSK, reducing them to a precarious 57/6 at one stage. Contributions from Jamie Overton (43 runs off 36 balls, including two fours and two sixes), Kartik Sharma (18 runs), and Sarfaraz Khan (17 runs) helped CSK reach a total of 127 runs in 19.4 overs before losing all their wickets.
Suryavanshi Leads RR's Chase
Vaibhav Suryavanshi was instrumental in RR's chase, scoring 52 runs off just 17 balls, featuring four boundaries and five sixes. He partnered with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who contributed an unbeaten 38 runs off 36 balls, including three fours and a six, establishing a solid 75-run partnership that paved the way for an easy victory.