Published on: Mar 31, 2026 5:48 pm IST|Updated on: Mar 31, 2026 5:48 pm IST
Ravindra Jadeja’s Rajasthan Royals homecoming was one to cherish. One of the most versatile cricketers in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has added another feather to his illustrious cap. In Rajasthan Royals’ opening clash of Tata IPL 2026 against Jadeja’s former franchise, Chennai Super Kings, the southpaw surpassed Sri Lankan legend Lasith Malinga’s tally of 170 wickets to become the 9th highest wicket-taker in IPL history. With this milestone, Jadeja now has 172 wickets in 255 matches, cementing his place among the league’s greatest bowlers.
Jadeja’s achievement came in Guwahati, where he dismissed Shivam Dube and Sarfaraz Khan to finish with figures of 2/18 in his quota of 4 overs. These crucial breakthroughs not only helped Rajasthan Royals dominate the contest but also pushed Jadeja past Malinga’s long-standing record. While Malinga was renowned for his toe-crushing yorkers and death-over mastery, Jadeja’s strength lies in his adaptability—being able to bowl in the powerplay, middle overs, and even at the death when required.
His IPL numbers now read:
Take a look at the top 10 wicket takers in IPL history now,
Jadeja’s record-breaking feat carries emotional significance. He began his IPL journey with Rajasthan Royals in 2008, playing a key role in their historic title win under Shane Warne. After moving to Chennai Super Kings in 2012, Jadeja became a cornerstone of CSK’s success, contributing to titles in 2018, 2021, and 2023.
Ahead of IPL 2026, Jadeja returned to RR in a blockbuster trade deal that saw Sanju Samson move to CSK, while Jadeja and Sam Curran joined Rajasthan. To break Malinga’s record while wearing the RR jersey again feels like a poetic full circle in his IPL career.
The opening clash was a statement win for Rajasthan Royals:
After CSK’s first innings got over, Jadeja shared his thoughts on returning to the franchise he started his IPL career with and how it felt after leaving the 5-time champions. In the mid-innings interview, Jadeja had a conversation with Harsha Bhogle, and this is what he said:
“I’m liking the pink colour. The yellow had started to feel a bit old, but I’m just joking. Obviously, leaving a franchise like CSK, where I had played for 12-13 years, was a little difficult initially. It was very emotional. But I told myself that changes like these are also part of the journey. The good thing was that I’m now with the team where I had first won an IPL title,”
Jadeja further discussed how important RR has been in his cricketing journey. He added,
“That memory has always stayed with me, that after the Under-19 World Cup in 2008, I started my IPL career there and won the title in my very first season. I have carried those memories along with a positive mindset, and my aim is to learn as much as I can with the new group and also share my experience with the team.”
Few players embody the spirit of the IPL like Ravindra Jadeja. His contributions go beyond wickets:
While Malinga specialized in death bowling, Jadeja’s versatility makes him unique. He has adapted to different roles across franchises and seasons, proving his value as a complete package.
After a scintillating win over the 5-time champions in their opening fixture of IPL 2026, the Royals will next face their neighbors and 2022 winners, the Gujarat Titans, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on April 4th. They will return to their adopted home in Guwahati following the game against the Titans to take on another 5-time champion, Mumbai Indians, on April 7.
Tags: IPL 2026