Top 10 RCB Best Bowler in 2025 - Updated

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is one of the sides that has the biggest fan following in the competition. They have always been known for their batting line-up, and their highest score is proof of their potential. It has been the side full of superstar cricketers, but it has failed to win the competition once. They are the only side to qualify for the final three times and not get their hands on the silverware even once.

The franchise also featured in the Champions League Twenty20, after they finished second in 2011. RCB is valued at $69.8 million, making it one of the richest IPL teams. But in IPL 2025, they have been sensational and have finished in the top 2 of the league table. They have a chance to win the coveted trophy this season. The RCB bowlers have also performed beautifully for the franchise. In this article, we dive into some of RCB best bowlers.

Ranking Factor

We will rank the best bowler for RCB in the IPL, as per the most wickets taken by the bowlers in the IPL till date. There can be other factors as well, but this is the factor that will help to rank RCB best bowler.

• Most Wickets Taken: To determine the RCB best bowler, we have taken the most wickets. In the fast-paced, high-scoring format of the IPL, wickets play a crucial role in shifting momentum and breaking partnerships. A bowler’s ability to consistently take wickets reflects not just their skill, but also their tactical intelligence and adaptability under pressure.
• Less number of Matches Played: If there's a tie in the most wickets taken by an RCB bowler, we have seen the lesser number of matches taken to acquire the same number of wickets.

List of Top 10 RCB Best Bowler 2025

Who is the Best Bowler in RCB?

RCB has had some big names in the bowling department as well, but they could not perform in the competition as expected. However, there have been some bowlers who have performed as per expectations in the competition. Though they did not help the side win the silverware. This time, the side has been exceptional in all departments. Especially the bowling has been fantastic alongside the batting, and as the current RCB bowlers have made the batters think to score runs.

10. Dale Steyn (38 Wickets)

Dale Steyn, one of the most fearsome fast bowlers in world cricket, left an indelible mark during his stint with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL. Though he played only 40 matches for the franchise across multiple seasons (2008–2020), Steyn picked up 38 wickets and consistently delivered with pace, swing, and aggression. Steyn showcased his class in the limited opportunities he had with RCB.

Despite not having four or five-wicket hauls in the RCB jersey, his control and ability to bowl in crucial moments made him a valuable asset. This is the reason many RCB fans and experts regard Dale Steyn as one of the RCB best bowler in terms of raw pace and swinging ability with the new ball. His spell against Chennai Super Kings while he returned during the second stint was one of the best spells by the Proteas pacer.

9. Praveen Kumar (41 Wickets)

Praveen Kumar, known for his skillful swing bowling and disciplined line and length. He was exceptional with the new ball and has taken a hat-trick for RCB. He became the sixth player to achieve this feat in IPL history. He featured for RCB between 2008 and 2010. Praveen Kumar played in 47 matches and took 41 wickets. His ability to move the ball both ways made him lethal.

Praveen Kumar's bowling strike rate of 24.78 showcases his knack for picking wickets regularly, which helped the team. Praveen Kumar remains one of the RCB best bowler in the context of consistent seam bowling and match control during the early years of the IPL. He could bowl under pressure, especially in powerplays and middle overs, and added extra value to the team’s bowling strategy.

8. Josh Hazlewood (41 Wickets)

Josh Hazlewood has been one of the finest bowlers in world cricket. He has been known for hitting a consistent length and accuracy with the ball. The Aussie pacer has been a part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Hazlewood’s ability to get spongy bounce and movement off the seam makes him a formidable force in red-ball cricket. But his discipline with line and length has made him lethal in the limited-overs format as well.

Since joining RCB in 2022, Hazlewood has consistently delivered match-winning performances. On a pitch like M Chinnaswamy, which is called the graveyard for the bowlers, he has been tight and managed well with the new ball and in death overs as well. The Aussie stalwart has featured in 25 matches, he has taken 41 wickets with an impressive bowling average of 18.63. This makes him rank among the current best RCB bowlers.

7. Zaheer Khan (49 Wickets)

Zaheer Khan has been the finest left-arm pacer that India has ever produced. His ability to bowl with the new ball, in the middle, and death overs has made him a lethal weapon for the Men in Blue. Zak paired with Javagal Srinath created a storm against the best batters in world cricket. He was the joint-highest wicket-taker in the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2011 and helped India to win the World Cup as well.

Zaheer in the IPL earned a reputation as one of RCB's best bowlers for his skill, consistency, and match-winning performances. He has played in 44 matches for the franchise and picked 49 wickets for them. His experience and tactical acumen made him a leader on the field, often guiding younger bowlers and setting strategic fields. Currently, he has been the mentor of the franchise Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).

6. Sreenath Arvind (51 Wickets)

Sreenath Arvind was one of the most promising young left-arm pacers for India. But despite his good performance in domestic cricket, he could not perform at the international stage, leaving him in and out of the team, and had a career of four years of international cricket, where he featured in just one T20I game for India. But in IPL, he has been successful.

The Southpaw was known for his sheer pace and ability to swing the ball effectively. Throughout his IPL career with RCB, Arvind showcased his talent in 44 matches, claiming 51 wickets. He is the third bowler with the most wickets in the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in IPL history. Among the 51 wickets he has picked, 30 of which are on this ground. This ranks him among the best bowlers in RCB history.

5. Anil Kumble (53 Wickets)

Anil Kumble has been one of the finest leg-spinners for the Men in Blue. He is the only Indian spinner to pick 10 wickets in an innings and the second bowler after Jim Laker to achieve this milestone. He did not spin the ball like other spinners, but he was brilliant with his accuracy and pace. 'Jumbo' was the first captain for RCB who took them to the final of the competition for the first time. But they fell short by 5 runs in the final against Deccan Chargers.

Anil Kumble has been among RCB best bowler as he is the first bowler to pick 50 wickets for the franchise. The great Indian leg-spinner played 51 matches for RCB and took 53 wickets. His best spell was 5/5, which came against the Rajasthan Royals in 2009. This showcased his ability to turn games with his accuracy and amazing variations. He remains one of the finest captains for the side as well.

4. R Vinay Kumar (80 Wickets)

R Vinay Kumar is called “The Davangere Express." He did not have a long career in international cricket. With his pace being slow, and he relies more on cutters. But he was excellent in domestic cricket and the IPL as well. He started playing for RCB in the 2008 edition and has played for many franchises like Kolkata Knight Riders, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, and Mumbai Indians.

Vinay Kumar is one of the two pacers in the top 5 list with the most wickets for RCB. He also has the most wickets as a pacer in the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. This showcased his bowling acumen, and Vinay Kumar has picked 80 wickets for RCB, featuring in just 70 matches from 2008 to 2013. He will remain as one of the best bowlers in RCB history.

3. Mohammed Siraj (83 Wickets)

Mohammed Siraj has been one of the finest red-ball bowlers for India in modern-day cricket. He with the new ball has been lethal in red ball cricket, especially in SENA countries. He came first in the light after his fiery spell in the 2020-21 BGT series. But he was a young, fiery pacer from Hyderabad who gained attention from the IPL. He was a heartthrob for RCB till 2024.

Despite not being retained or picked in the auction by RCB in the IPL 2025, he yet again proved himself in the rich cash league. Siraj bowled the most dot balls in the group stages of the competition. But Siraj has been one of RCB best bowler of all time, with 83 wickets, he ranks among third third-best bowler of the side in terms of most wickets taken. With 83 wickets in 87 matches from 2018 to 2024, Siraj has been a consistent performer.

2. Harshal Patel (99 Wickets)

Harshal Patel is known for his right-arm medium-fast bowling and amazing use of slower deliveries, particularly off-cutters and dipping yorkers. He has played for multiple teams, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Punjab Kings, and currently, Sunrisers Hyderabad. But his big season came in 2021 with RCB, where he picked 32 wickets in 15 matches.

In 2021, he earned the purple cap for RCB, and in 2024, he won again, this time for Punjab Kings. In this edition, he picked 24 wickets and is the only player to have won the IPL Purple Cap for two different franchises. Harshal Patel has been one wicket away from picking 100 wickets for RCB. While he currently does not play for RCB, in the future, he can be with the franchise and pick his 100th wicket. He has picked up 99 wickets in just 80 matches.

1. Yuzvendra Chahal (139 Wickets)

Yuzvendra Chahal has been one of the finest leg spinners in modern-day cricket. He made his IPL debut in 2013 and has since become one of the leading wicket-takers in the tournament's history. He was part of the Indian squad that won the 2024 T20 World Cup, but he did not play in any matches during the tournament. The national-level chess player was a hero for RCB during his time with the franchise.

Yuzi Chahal has been one of the smartest bowlers in IPL history. Chahal has picked 219 wickets, among them 139 came for RCB. He was a part of the squad since 2014 and played till 2021. Chahal has been the highest wicket-taker for the franchise and has been the fan favourite as well. This makes him the RCB best bowler of all time in terms of wickets taken.