The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a lifeline for many fans, bringing them sheer delight and excitement. The league has grown over the years and is striving to be one of the most popular competitions in the sports world. Over the previous 16 years, the Indian T20 League has produced some incredible bowling stats and performances.

The IPL bowlers have demonstrated exceptional expertise in outfoxing the hitters and producing one-of-a-kind bowling spells to help their team win the game. This article examines the top five bowling figures in IPL tournament history. 

Alzarri Joseph- 6/12 (Mumbai Indians) vs Sunrisers Hyderabad- 2019 edition

Alzarri Joseph, the young Caribbean pacer, holds the record for the greatest bowling stats in an IPL game. Currently a part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, his impeccable effort given Joseph’s IPL debut game in the tournament for the five-time winner, Mumbai Indians.

In 2019, he went through Sunrisers Hyderabad’s batting order in a low-scoring encounter, taking six wickets for 12 runs. The Mumbai Indians had set a 137-run goal for the Hyderabad squad, which appeared to be gettable. However, SRH could not withstand Alzarri Joseph’s frequent smashes and were bundled for just 96 runs, losing the match by 40 runs. 

Sohail Tanvir- 6/14 (Rajasthan Royals) vs Chennai Super Kings- 2008 edition

Pakistani speedster Sohail Tanvir held the record for an incredible 11 years. Tanvir got 6/14 against the Chennai Super Kings while playing for the Rajasthan Royals in their first season.

The Chennai side was all out for 109 runs when batting first in this game, which the Royals comfortably chased down in 14.2 overs to win by eight wickets. In addition to his impressive record, he was given the first-ever Purple Cap after taking 22 wickets in 11 matches with an economy of 6.46 and one four-wicket haul. 

Adam Zampa- 6/19 (Rising Pune Supergiant) vs Sunrisers Hyderabad- 2016 edition

Adam Zampa made an impressive debut in the IPL, taking a six-figure haul for 19 runs in his second match in 2016. On May 10, 2016, Adam Zampa recorded the third and final six-wicket haul in Indian T20 League history. He was instrumental in holding Sunrisers Hyderabad to a score of 137/8 in 20 overs.

However, the SRH bowlers arsenal made even this score appear challenging, as CSK only managed 133/8 in their innings, losing the thriller by four runs. In addition, Zampa is the only spinner to have taken six wickets in the Indian T20 League, with speedsters filling the rest of the list.

Anil Kumble- 5/5 (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) vs Rajasthan Royals- 2009 edition

This list also includes legendary Indian leg spinner Anil Kumble, prominently known as Jumbo, who demonstrated his abilities in the IPL and still holds the record for the most economical 5-wicket haul. He got five wickets in an innings against the Rajasthan Royals, conceding only five runs in 3.1 overs, including a maiden.

The Rajasthan side was dismissed for 58 runs while chasing 134, the lowest innings total at the time and the second-lowest in IPL history. While scalping wickets, he has dismissed Yusuf Pathan, Ravindra Jadeja, Shane Warne, Munaf Patel, and Kamran Khan.

Akash Madhwal- 5/5 (Mumbai Indians) vs Lucknow Supergiants- 2023 edition

Akash Madhwal, the new Mumbai Indians pace prodigy, tore the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) apart with his fantastic bowling spell in the IPL 2023 eliminator match. The Mumbai speedster conceded only five runs in just a mere 3.3 overs.

He dismissed LSG’s Prerak Mankad, Ayush Badoni, Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, and Mohsin Khan in that process. His performances helped Mumbai win the match by 81 runs and advance to the Qualifier 2. As a result, he has emerged as a promising addition to the five-time winners’ speed attack.