Bowling in T20 cricket often takes a backseat, but it’s a craft that continues to shine even in the most batsman-friendly conditions. While the format—and especially the Indian Premier League—is celebrated for big hits, towering sixes, and relentless scoring, bowlers have consistently stepped up to make their mark. In a tournament where fans flock to see cover drives and explosive boundaries, it’s the brilliance of bowling that often turns the game on its head. Despite the focus on batting records, IPL history is filled with unforgettable spells that have changed matches and silenced even the most aggressive line-ups.
Here, we list out the top 5 best bowling figures in the history of the Indian Premier League.
5) Akash Madhwal (Mumbai Indians) – 5/5 vs Lucknow Super Giants
A rookie navigating an established LSG lineup. When Akash Madhwal arrived, his bowling was brilliant, which completely changed the IPL. Madhwal dominated the batting in this IPL 2023 Eliminator match versus LSG in Chennai. On that day, Madhwal’s score was an almost unbelievable 3.3-0-5-5. This comprised a mere 1.42 economy rate and 17 dot balls.
4) Anil Kumble (Royal Challengers Bangalore) – 5/5 vs Rajasthan Royals
For a long time, Anil Kumble was the Indian player with the highest-ever numbers in an ODI match. He had a similar record in the IPL, which is not surprising. Kumble used all of his skills to severely humiliate the Rajasthan Royals in the second season of the Indian Premier League.
Kumble returned exceptional bowling figures of 3.1 -1-5-5.
3) Adam Zampa (Rising Pune Supergiant) – 6/19 vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa is ranked third on this list of the top bowlers in the IPL. Zampa has shown himself to be a formidable opponent with his variations, even though the leggie does not spin the ball as brilliantly as some of his peers. With remarkable figures of 6/19 off his four overs, he finished. Pune lost by 4 runs, though, and his bowling spell was insufficient to win them.
2) Sohail Tanvir (Rajasthan Royals) – 6/14 vs Chennai Super Kings
Sohail Tanvir of Pakistan had long held the record for the highest bowling stats in the IPL before Joseph topped this list. Tanvir had an outstanding bowling performance against CSK in the league’s first season, earning figures of 6/14 in his four overs at Sawai Mansingh Stadium. Before Joseph smashed the mark in the IPL in 2019, it had stood for 11 years. Many people consider Tanvir’s spell to be among the best in IPL history.
1) Alzarri Joseph (Mumbai Indians) – 6/12 vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
When the 2019 IPL began, few people outside of the Caribbean would have heard of Alzarri Joseph. Alzarri Joseph, who made his debut on April 6, 2019, made sure that everyone had heard him and had taken note of his name and great bowling skills. Joseph excelled in his maiden match against a raging Sunrisers Hyderabad team, defending a modest target of 137 runs. He scored the highest-ever IPL stats when taking six wickets for just 12 runs to dismiss the SRH team for 97.
Best bowling figures in IPL history
| Player | Overs | Mdns | Runs conceded | Wickets taken | Econ | Opponent |
| Alzarri Joseph | 3.4 | 1 | 12 | 6 | 3.27 | SRH |
| Sohail Tanvir | 4 | – | 14 | 6 | 3.5 | CSK |
| Adam Zampa | 4 | – | 19 | 6 | 4.75 | SRH |
| Anil Kumble | 3.1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 1.57 | RR |
| Akash Madhwal | 3.3 | – | 5 | 5 | 1.42 | LSG |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 4 | 1 | 10 | 5 | 2.5 | KKR |
| Mohit Sharma | 2.2 | – | 10 | 5 | 4.28 | MI |
| Ishant Sharma | 3 | – | 12 | 5 | 4 | Kochi |
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