As a result, it has become one of the most exciting cricket leagues ever, boasting not only explosive batting but also some really fantastic bowling performances. The Indian Premier League (IPL) has developed outstanding games over the years in which bowlers have significantly influenced the outcome. From hat-tricks to unbelievable four-wicket hauls, these players create magic with the ball as they have made history. Here are some of the best bowling figures in IPL history that have thrilled fans and made their way into the annals of IPL cricket.
- Lasith Malinga (Mumbai Indians) – 5/13 against Delhi Daredevils (2008)
Lasith Malinga’s five-wicket haul in the year 2008 stands out for iconic IPL performances. It was in a match played for the Mumbai Indians, where he ended the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) innings for 13 runs, having taken 5 wickets. Such a performance remains one of the legends of IPL history. His typical Yorkers and slower balls just left the Delhi batsmen guessing and handed Mumbai a memorable victory. Undoubtedly, this spell is one of the best ever as far as bowling performances in IPL history are concerned.
Based on pressure and executing Yorkers, Malinga is one of the best bowlers in IPL history. His unforgettable match was marked by a 5-record achievement in wickets. In between, he was consistently becoming recognized as the year’s best bowler.
- Adam Zampa (Rajasthan Royals) – 6/19 vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (2020).
In 2020, Adam Zampa completed one of the best bowling figures in the history of IPL. Representing the Rajasthan Royals, Zampa came up with a phenomenal 6-wicket haul with 19 runs against the Hyderabad side of Sunrisers. Excellent control and precision made way for Zampa’s wicket haul as he tore the batting line-up of Hyderabad. His spin bowling made it nearly impossible for the rival team, and the performance goes as one of the best bowling performances in IPL history.
But Zampa’s 6/19 would be memorable in a tournament associated with high-scoring matches. Here Zampa’s performance remains the history of proving that no matter how explosive the composition of batsmen within the speed of the game, a good bowler could turn the game upside down.
- Dwayne Bravo (Chennai Super Kings) – 4/22 vs Kolkata Knight Riders (2018)
Dwayne Bravo has always been one of the most consistent bowlers in IPL, and this 4/22 performance against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2018 certainly brought out the best in him. Playing for Chennai Super Kings, Bravo’s lethal combination of slow deliveries and sharp Yorkers, along with tactical maneuvering during the last overs, has made him a crucial person in CSK history. This performance aided CSK to check KKR’s total and won the match easily.
What makes Bravo a special case in Indian Premier League history is his ability to come out strong under pressure, particularly in the death overs. As much as his 4/22 in this match has amplified his already good reputation as one of the best performers in all-around T20 cricket.
- Shane Warne – 4/21 vs Kings XI Punjab (2008)
This brilliant bowling exhibition of 4 wickets for just 21 runs by Shane Warne against the Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in 2008 is remembered as one of the finest early displays in IPL bowling. Warne was an excellent leg-spinner who perfected the master art of deceiving batsmen. In this match, he took four wickets for just 21 runs, hence helping Rajasthan Royals achieve an amazing victory.
He outsmarted the batsmen and exhibited some wonderful tactics. This was one of the best spells by an IPL captain and legend. Warne’s 4/21 set the tone for Rajasthan’s championship run in the very first IPL season, making him the hero of the tournament.
- Sunil Narine (Following Knight Riders) – 5/19 against Kings XI Punjab (2012)
Sunil Narine’s performance in the 2012 IPL, where he took 5 wickets for only 19 runs against Kings XI Punjab, was probably among the greatest performances by a spinner in the tournament. Punjab batsmen could not even comprehend what was going on with Narine’s deceptive mystery spin as he took 5 crucial wickets towards the destruction of the other one. Only because of his sharp turn and accuracy in bowling did Narine end up being crowned ‘purple cap holder’ for this tournament.
The Kolkata Knight Riders were desperate for Narine’s contribution with the ball in the way of success during the whole 2012 IPL season. His brilliant spell also consolidates as one of the top bowling ever.
- Imran Tahir (Chennai Super Kings) – 4/12 vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (2019)
The memories of 4/12 against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2019 still shine bright in the IPL by shining a spotlight on Imran Tahir. With aggressive and sharp leg-spin, realizing the game, he could take a few important wickets. His performance helped CSK bowl out their rivals for a low score, thus turning out to be critical in the victory for the team.
These magical numbers reveal how brilliant bowlers can single-handedly change the course of a match despite having batsmen in command. His bowling, clinical and precise, earned him a place among the brightest stars in IPL 2019.
- Kagiso Rabada (Delhi Capitals) – 4/22 against Kolkata Knight Riders (2020)
The young South African, Kagiso Rabada, under his own flag in the 2020 season, displayed a spectacular performance for Delhi Capitals against Kolkata Knight Riders. The speedster conjoined such an economy with the strike by grabbing 4 wickets at the expense of 22 runs. His speed and ability to yorker death overs made quite a difference to Delhi, and this spell helped his team to take the game under its control.
This performance helped Delhi in entering the playoffs that year and Rabada’s exceptional bowling made him one of the most feared pacers that year in the IPL.
- Terrific bowling in 2017 was by Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Sunrisers Hyderabad) – 5/19 vs Kings XI Punjab.
This was the most beautiful spell of swinging and slight bowling by one of the best swing bowlers around India, Bhuvneshwar Kumar. For his 5 wickets at the expense of 19 runs against Kings XI Punjab in the year 2017, he can well be called a lethal weapon for Sunrisers Hyderabad with his command over and ability to bowl at correct lengths. This was an indication of the prowess of the bowler, and it will take the team to a reasonably low score while Punjab will restrict.
Bhuvneshwar has proved himself to be one of the best bowlers in the IPL due to his magical bowling under pressure situations, new ball and the death overs.
Conclusion
Such has been the entire history of the IPL- a showcase of phenomenal bowling feats year after year. And the players mentioned above represent just a fraction in the long line of amazing brilliance that has lent luster to the tournament. Tuffy performances that echoed in the hearts of the IPL fans for ages to come- whether it be for the precision of Lasith, the mystery called Narine, or the accuracy ingredient of Rabada with great pomp announce the record numbers of wickets with history in IPL. The best bowling figures in IPL not only attest to the skill and dedication of these performers but at the same time bring to reality how much important the bowlers are for the success of a team in T20 cricket.
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