Best Bowling Figures in IPL: Record Holders and Historic Performances

Although IPL is associated with explosive batting, there have been memorable spells by bowlers as well, some of which rank among the Best Bowling Figures in IPL. The league has demonstrated that one over can alter the whole course of a game. In the history of IPL, a few bowlers have already registered their names in record books with the best bowling figures in IPL, showing how skill, accuracy, and temperament can shine even with the largest hitters.

This article explores why these spells are legendary, highlights the best bowling figures in the IPL, and provides a reflection on some of the quickest deliveries, famous Indian performances, and memorable match-winning spells.

What Are Bowling Figures?

A bowling figure in the game of cricket is used to denote the number of wickets and runs that a bowler has taken and given, respectively. As an example, five wickets at 10 runs will be 5/10. Such numbers frequently determine the direction of a game in T20 cricket. The best bowling figures in IPL include instances when a bowler completely dominates the opposition.

SUGGESTED READ: Who Holds the Fastest 50 in IPL? Latest Records

Top 10 Best Bowling Figures in IPL History

This is a list of the players who have made the IPL top bowling records and achieved the Best Bowling Figures in IPL, providing memorable times in league history.

Alzarri Joseph – 6/12 (Mumbai Indians vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, 2019)

No one believed that Joseph could take six wickets with only twelve runs. His bounce and speed rendered him unplayable, and his spell remains the best bowling figures in IPL history to date.

Sohail Tanvir – 6/14 (Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings, 2008)

Tanvir’s left-arm swing dismantled CSK’s batting, and his unorthodox action made it one of the Best Bowling Figures in IPL of the inaugural season. His spell helped Rajasthan secure a strong start and set a benchmark for future seasons.

Adam Zampa – 6/19 (Rising Pune Supergiant vs SRH, 2016)

The Australian spinner used flight and variation to perfection, and despite Pune losing, Zampa’s 6/19 ranks as one of the Best Bowling Figures in IPL by a spinner. His precision showcased how spin could dominate even in high-scoring T20 matches.

Anil Kumble – 5/5 (RCB vs Rajasthan Royals, 2009)

Kumble’s masterful five-wicket spell at just five runs is widely recognized as one of the Best Bowling Figures in IPL, demonstrating experience, control, and match-turning skill on a South African pitch.

Akash Madhwal – 5/5 (Mumbai Indians vs Lucknow Super Giants, 2023)

Madhwal earned Mumbai a win with his accurate yorkers and composed bowling in a crucial eliminator, which helped him gain a fan base and become one of the top bowling figures in the IPL. His performance in his maiden season of play immediately earned him the fans and the best bowling figures in IPL.

Jasprit Bumrah – 5/10 (Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders, 2022)

Bumrah’s five-wicket spell in a low-scoring game is considered one of the Best Bowling Figures in IPL, highlighting his precision, speed, and ability to perform under pressure.

Lasith Malinga – 5/13 (Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Daredevils, 2011)

The batting lineup of Delhi was shattered by Malinga and his deadly slinging movement and pinpoint yorkers. This was one of the most renowned best bowling figures in IPL due to his capability to bowl at the death and take quick wickets.

James Faulkner – 5/16 (Rajasthan Royals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, 2013)

Faulkner’s pace and bounce on difficult pitches earned him a place among the Best Bowling Figures in IPL, as his spell was instrumental in controlling SRH’s innings.

Ankit Rajpoot – 5/14 (Kings XI Punjab vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, 2018)

Rajpoot’s combination of pace and short deliveries helped Punjab dominate the top order, earning him recognition for one of the Best Bowling Figures in IPL of that season.

Andre Russell – 5/15 (Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians, 2021)

Russell’s raw speed and tactical variations resulted in a 5-wicket haul, cementing it as one of the Best Bowling Figures in IPL, and shifting the match momentum decisively in favor of KKR.

These top 10 performances are among the best IPL bowling figures, showcasing exceptional ability, tactical acumen, and composure under pressure.

Best Bowling Figures in IPL 2025

Bowlers are as valuable as ever, and the 2025 season has already generated exciting spells. Players aim each season to join the list of the best bowling figures in IPL, and the game is traditionally characterized by match-winning performances.

Players such as Akash Madhwal and others have been attempting to emulate the best bowling figures in IPL 2023 using their impactful spells.

Worst Bowling Figures in IPL

T20 cricket can even catch the best bowlers off guard on their off days. Flat pitches, hard hitting, and a small boundary may lead to scenarios where the run flow is fast and hence, such costly overs. These statistics illustrate the unpredictability of the game and the importance of consistency for bowlers in the IPL.

These matches serve as an indication of what bowlers endure, as they showcase some of the worst bowling figures in IPL history.

Fastest Deliveries and Top Bowling Speeds in IPL

The speed of IPL bowlers has undergone a remarkable transformation over the years. There were a small number of express bowlers in early seasons, but with better fitness, sports science and specialised coaching, more bowlers now routinely record 150km/h and further.

Whenever a bowler strikes the fastest bowl in IPL, fans are usually amazed by how the game was won with pure speed, and these bowlers have been known to be the pace setters in terms of highest bowling speed in IPL. Pace is a weapon in T20 cricket.

Shaun Tait (157.7 km/h, Rajasthan Royals, 2011)

Shaun Tait’s raw pace made him almost unplayable during the IPL 2011 season. His 157.7 km/h delivery still stands as the fastest bowl in IPL history.

Lockie Ferguson (157.3 km/h, Gujarat Titans, 2022)

Ferguson is a lethal bouncer mixed with run-up. His capacity to continually strike 150+ km/h renders him one of the most dangerous bowlers in T20 cricket.

Umran Malik (157.0 km/h, Sunrisers Hyderabad, 2022)

Umran Malik, the fastest Indian bowler in the history of IPL, bowled the fastest ball in IPL 2022. His yorkers and short-pitched deliveries are extremely dangerous during the death overs.

Mayank Yadav (156.7 km/h, Lucknow Super Giants, 2024)

Yadav is a young Indian cricketer who consistently bowls at top speeds. He has shown speed and mastery in power plays.

Anrich Nortje (156.2 km/h, Delhi Capitals, 2020)

Nortje combines speed, bouncing and precision successfully. Batters are always threatened by his fast bouncers and yorkers during the innings.

The IPL has turned into a place where high-speed bowlers take center stage and every single player has made a mark in the history of the league in terms of speed and pace.

Bowling Records by Indian Players in IPL

Indian bowlers have consistently achieved key IPL bowling records. They still inspire young players in the country with their performances under pressure and their ability to play in big matches. These are the players who have provided the best figures in IPL and dominated matches on behalf of their teams.

Although Rohit Sharma is a great batter, there are instances when he has brought value to his team with the ball, despite his inconsistency, which highlights the instances of Rohit Sharma bowling in the IPL.

Memorable Bowling Spells That Changed Matches

Anil Kumble (5/5 vs Rajasthan Royals, 2009)

The accurate line and length that Kumble used compelled mistakes and earned RCB a comfortable victory. It is still one of the most economical and disciplined spells in IPL history.

Lasith Malinga (5/13 vs Delhi Daredevils, 2011)

Malinga demolished the batting order by his deadly yorkers, and this proved his unusual skill in T20 death overs. This magic highlighted his possibilities to win matches.

Akash Madhwal (5/5 vs Lucknow Super Giants, 2023)

The challenge was shattered by the composure Madhwal displayed during the playoffs. Every delivery was accurate, and it was one of the most discussed spells of the last few seasons of the IPL.

Jasprit Bumrah (5/10 vs Kolkata Knight Riders, 2022)

The variation and the controlled pace of Bumrah came in handy to make sure that he struck at the right time. His magic gave a decisive twist to the match that was competitive in favor of Mumbai.

Legendary IPL Bowling: Top Figures, Fastest Deliveries, and Record Performances

The IPL is not only a big hit festival; it is also a stage where bowlers can attain their best bowling performances in the IPL and make their names known in history. Alzarri Joseph, 6/12 to Mumbai Indians, to Akash Madhwal, 5/5 to LSG, these are the finest IPL bowling performances that have turned the fortunes around in a match. These are the IPL top bowling performances that are still celebrated by the fans, and they are part of the IPL bowling records.

Also on this list of legendary spells, there are the fastest bowl in IPL, with other names such as Umran Malik, who bowled the fastest in fastest bowl in IPL 2022, and Shaun Tait, who bowled the fastest in IPL history with 157.7 km/h.

All spells are remembered the same due to wickets; some have been remembered more because of the number of runs given, the worst bowling figures in IPL, the worst IPL bowling figures, and the worst bowling figure in IPL. These situations remind fans that T20 cricket is unpredictable, and even the best bowlers struggle.

Indian bowlers are still making their mark with such performances as 5/5 and 5/10 from Anil Kumble and Jasprit Bumrah, being among the finest bowling performances in IPL history, and they are motivating young talent. The players are striving to achieve the highest milestones in the game, such as the best bowling figures in IPL 2023 and the league, including the best figures in IPL and the best bowling figure in IPL, which will be etched in the history of the league.

It might be faster speed, deceptive curves, or tactical action, but these spells are the core of the IPL bowling statistics, which reveal that T20 cricket is a part of both batters and bowlers.

It features record spells, high-speed deliveries, and a few off-days, as indicated by the worst bowling statistics in the IPL, yet still promises to deliver exciting best IPL bowling figures season after season. Every bowler dreams to be among the list of the legends who have transformed concepts of having the best bowling figures in IPL, and so every match is an exhibition of talent, nerves and accuracy.

Amit Mishra’s Take

The best bowling figures in the IPL are not just statistics, but stories of talent, bravery, and toughness of mind. It is thrilling to see a bowler become nervous under pressure, particularly debut players such as Alzarri Joseph or Akash Madhwal.

The IPL is credited with big hitters, but there is also the glory of bowlers who achieve the Best Bowling Figures in IPL, and each season brings new names challenging the records. To the fans, these spells are evidence that T20 cricket is capable of generating moments of legend with both the bat and ball.

YOU MIGHT READ: Top 5 IPL Controversies

FAQs

• Who has the best bowling in IPL history?
  Alzarri Joseph holds the record with 6 wickets for 12 runs for Mumbai Indians against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2019.
• What is the worst bowling figure in IPL?
  Basil Thampi’s 0/70 for Sunrisers Hyderabad against RCB in 2018 is the most expensive spell.
• Who bowled the fastest delivery in IPL?
  The fastest delivery in IPL was made by Shaun Tait of 157.7 km/h.
• Which Indian has the best bowling performance in IPL?
  Anil Kumble (5/5 in 2009) and Akash Madhwal (5/5 in 2023) are among the best Indian bowling performances.
• Who has the best bowling figures in IPL 2025?
  Mayank Yadav and Kuldeep Yadav have delivered remarkable performances that are likely to be recorded in the history books.