Best Ipl Bowling
Cricket, especially the IPL, is often a batter’s game, right? Big sixes, last-over finishes, and outrageous strike rates steal the limelight. But hey, let’s not forget the bowlers who turned matches on their heads!
Some spells are so lethal that even the biggest hitters have no clue what hit them. We’re talking about fiery yorkers, deceptive slower balls, and spells so unplayable that batters might as well have been playing blindfolded.
So, sit back, grab some popcorn (or chai, no judgment), and let’s relive the best IPL bowling performances ever!
1. Alzarri Joseph’s 6/12 – A Debut for the Ages!
Imagine walking into your first IPL match and casually destroying the opposition with the best-ever bowling figures in IPL history. Sounds like a script straight out of a Bollywood blockbuster, right? Well, Alzarri Joseph did just that!
- Match: Mumbai Indians vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, 2019
- Figures: 6 wickets for just 12 runs in 3.4 overs
- Impact: SRH, chasing a modest 137, got steamrolled for just 96!
Joseph bowled with raw pace, hitting the deck hard, and completely dismantled Hyderabad’s middle order. Talk about making an entrance!
2. Sohail Tanvir’s 6/14 – The OG of IPL Bowling Brilliance
Before Alzarri Joseph came along, it was Pakistan’s Sohail Tanvir who held the record for best IPL bowling figures. And he did it in 2008—the very first season!
- Match: Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings, 2008
- Figures: 6 wickets for 14 runs in 4 overs
- Impact: CSK, boasting stars like Dhoni and Hayden, got dismissed for just 109!
Tanvir’s weird, side-arm action was a nightmare for batters. They played him as if they were guessing in a multiple-choice test—and kept getting it wrong!
3. Adam Zampa’s 6/19 – When Spin Ruled the Night
Fast bowlers aren’t the only ones capable of jaw-dropping spells. In 2016, Aussie leg-spinner Adam Zampa showed that spin can be just as deadly.
- Match: Rising Pune Supergiant vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, 2016
- Figures: 6/19 in 4 overs
- Impact: SRH restricted to just 137, giving Pune a real shot at winning
Leg-spinners have this magical ability to make batters dance. And Zampa? He made them dance like they were in a reality TV competition—except there was no trophy at the end!
4. Anil Kumble’s 5/5 – The Old Fox Shows Who’s Boss
When people talk about IPL legends, they often forget that the great Anil Kumble had one of the most ridiculous bowling spells ever in the tournament’s history!
- Match: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Rajasthan Royals, 2009
- Figures: 5 wickets for just 5 runs in 3.1 overs
- Impact: RR bowled out for a mere 58—yes, you read that right!
Kumble, well past 38 at that time, showed that experience and skill can trump brute force any day of the week. Talk about an age-defying performance!
5. Dale Steyn’s 3/8 – Sheer Fast Bowling Perfection
Alright, you might be thinking—why include a 3-wicket spell in this list? But hear me out!
- Match: Deccan Chargers vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, 2012
- Figures: 3 wickets for 8 runs in 4 overs
- Impact: Choked RCB’s power-packed batting lineup
Steyn wasn’t just taking wickets; he was breathing fire. Every delivery felt like it was cutting through the air like a missile, and even the likes of Virat Kohli struggled to lay bat on ball. Absolute carnage!
Honorable Mentions
Some spells don’t make it to the top five but deserve a standing ovation nonetheless:
- Sunil Narine’s 5/19 vs Punjab (2012) – Mystery spin at its peak!
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 5/19 vs Kings XI Punjab (2017) – The king of swing!
- Jasprit Bumrah’s 4/14 vs Delhi Capitals (2020) – Death bowling masterclass!
FAQs – Best IPL Bowling Spells
1. Who has the best bowling figures in IPL history?
Alzarri Joseph holds the record with 6/12 against SRH in 2019.
2. Who was the first bowler to take 6 wickets in an IPL match?
Sohail Tanvir was the first, picking up 6/14 in IPL 2008.
3. Which spinner has the best bowling figures in IPL history?
Adam Zampa leads with 6/19 in IPL 2016.
4. Has any bowler taken a 7-wicket haul in IPL?
Nope, the highest is 6 wickets in an innings so far.
5. Who has the most IPL wickets overall?
Dwayne Bravo and Yuzvendra Chahal are among the top wicket-takers in IPL history.
Final Thoughts
Bowling in the IPL is like surviving a war zone—batters are ready to launch an all-out attack! But every now and then, a bowler steps up and turns the game upside down with pure magic.
Which spell do you think was the best? Or do you have an underrated bowling performance in mind? Drop a comment below! 👇
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