The IPL is all set to kick start from Friday April, 9th in Chennai with Rohit Sharma's Mumbai Indians accepting the Royal Challenge from Virat Kohli's Banglore side at the M A Chidambaram stadium. As the fans gear up for the cricketing bonanza, we bring them the top five of the leading wicket takers in the history of IPL.

1. Lasith Malinga

Sri Lankan legend and the Mumbai Indian stalwart Lasith Malinga is the highest wicket taker in the history of IPL so far. The Yorker specialist has claimed 170 wickets in 122 matches with an impressive economy of 7.14. Malinga has played a pivotal role in establishing Mumbai Indian's unrivalled dominance, being a part of four of their five title wins in the IPL. The seamer has claimed a 4 wicket haul 6 times along with bagging one 5 wicket haul. Malinga won the Purple Cap – the recognition given to the bowler with highest number of wickets every season, in the year 2011. On the back of his terrific form in the World Cup 2011 where his national side Sri Lanka reached the finals, he claimed 28 wickets for his franchise with a stunning economy of 5.98, his IPL best of 5/13 also came in that season. The fans will miss seeing him in action since the speedster announced his retirement from franchise cricket earlier this year in January.

2. Amit Mishra

An underrated IPL great, Amit Mishra has represented teams like the Delhi Capitals, Deccan Chargers and Sunrisers Hyderabad, claiming 160 wickets in the 150 matches he has played with an economy of 7.34. The leg spinner also has the distinctive honour of claiming 3 hat tricks to his name, the most by any bowler. The silent assassin has been adjudged as player of the match on 11 occasions. Mishra has clinched 4 wicket haul thrice and also has a 5 wicket haul under his belt.

3. Piyush Chawla

Piyush Chawla enjoys the third spot in this ladder with 156 wickets in 164 matches he has played for franchises like Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings with an economy of 7.87. The right arm off spinner has always been a reliable option for his franchise whenever the flow of runs from the batting side needs to be put to an halt. With two 4 wicket hauls and best figures of 4/17, Chawla has been awarded as the player of the match for 3 times. He will be representing the Mumbai Indians this year.

4. Dwayne Bravo

The rockstar from Caribbean, who is also widely loved for his singing and dancing skills is the fourth highest wicket taker in IPL of all time. In 140 outings for his sides like Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians and the now terminated Gujarat Lions, the right arm medium quick has clinched 153 wickets with an economy of 8.40 with best figures of 4/22. The 'Champion' hitmaker has been decorated with 2 purple caps in the years 2013 and 2015 with 32 wickets in 18 games and 26 wickets in 16 games respectively.

5. Harbhajan Singh

One of India's most successful spinners of all time, Harbhajan Singh has the fifth most wickets in IPL history. Having donned the jerseys of Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, the 'Turbanator' has taken 150 scalps in 160 games with an impressive economy of 7.05. The off spinner has 8 man of the match honours in his kitty with the best bowling figures of 5/18. Harbhajan will be seen in Kolkata Knight Riders dugout this year.