Cricalytics: Top 5 Best Bowling Spell by Indians in IPL History

Anil Kumble’s 5/5 with the best bowling spell, as we look at the Top 5 best spells by Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Although this edition of IPL seemed one-way in the first half, the script has transformed courtesy of a few thrilling plot points. Apart from CSK, all the other seven teams are still mathematically in the claim to make it to the Playoffs with no team qualified as yet. 

Yet again, overseas bowlers are leading the charts in IPL. While the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Jofra Archer are at the top, other foreign bowlers like Rashid Khan and Trent Boult are giving them good fellowship. Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, T Natarajan, and Yuzvendra Chahal have been the best Indian bowlers as of date. 

If you look at the history, Indian bowlers in the IPL have been tactically sidelined to only a few roles. Most franchises follow the template of having Indian spinners and overseas fast bowlers in the playing XI. Even if you look at the history, Indian spinners have had a better record in the Tournament as compared to pacers. 

However, the trend seems to have changed with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, etc. Having said that, throughout the IPL, a few Indian bowlers have had a chance to turn games with their showings. So, we take a look at some of the best bowling spell achieved by Indians in the history of IPL. 

#5: Amit Mishra’s 5/17 vs DC || 2008

Spell: 4-0-17-5 || ER: 4.25

When leg-spinners can purchase something out of the pitch, they often become difficult customers to deal with. In the first edition of IPL, Deccan Chargers were at the receiving end at Delhi as Amit Mishra spun the Web with some magnificent display of spin bowling. 

Batting first, the home team batted well to score a total of 194 runs. Deccan Chargers were not in great form, and against Amit Mishra, the performance became worse. The pacers did the work upfront, but it was Mishra who did the major damage to DC’s chances. The Haryana leggie scalped a total of five wickets in his four-over spell, during which he gave away only 17 runs, and helped Delhi win by just 12 runs.

#4: Ravindra Jadeja’s 5/16 vs DC || 2012

Spell: 4-0-16-5 || ER: 4

Ravindra Jadeja is a bowler who relies more on accuracy than on the spinning of the ball. Hence, when he gets right, on most occasions, wickets would fall. Especially against the lower order, Jadeja can be extremely lethal.

After putting on a stiff target of 194, CSK exerted more pressure on Deccan Chargers with some early wickets. While Doug Bollinger was MSD’s main weapon, his sixth-change bowler on that day was the real game-changer. Ravindra Jadeja used every trick in his book to spin a web around the batsmen of DC. He conceded just 16 runs in four overs, as he accumulated a remarkable five-wicket haul.

#3: Ankit Rajpoot’s 5/14 vs SRH || 2018

Spell: 4-0-14-5 || ER: 3.5

Ankit Rajpoot had shown flashes of his skill now and then, but the defining moment had never come. However, after a run of consistent opportunities, Rajpoot repaid the faith to his masters with a memorable performance.

Against a strong Sunrisers Hyderabad squad, Ankit managed to put on a show. He collected five wickets, four of which were the top 4 of the SRH batting unit. Ankit’s display was a mix of plan and execution, all of which coalesced to perfection on the day. This way, Ankit also became the first-ever Indian uncapped player to collect a five-wicket haul in IPL.

#2: Ishant Sharma’s 5/12 vs KTK || 2011

Spell: 3-0-12-5 || ER: 4

Sometimes, when you are in the flow, everything you touch turns to gold. For Ishant Sharma, the same happened in 2011 at the Nehru Stadium in Kochi. The spell by Ishant is the best by an Indian pacer so far in IPL.

Deccan Chargers could just post a score of 129 onboard. Kochi had a strong batting line-up, and the target looked easy for them. However, Ishant Sharma was in the mood that day. Using the new ball to the right effect, the lanky pacer made the best use of the powerplay.

While two wickets were caught behind, Ishant inflicted two bowled-out and an LBW in this game. His victims included experienced stars such as Brendon McCullum and Mahela Jayawardane. In the end, KTK were bowled out for just 74 runs, as Deccan Chargers pulled off a good win.

#1: Anil Kumble’s 5/5 vs RR || 2009

Spell: 3.1-1-5-5 || ER: 1.58

The defending champions were facing the team that ended at No.7 in the inaugural season. Of course, the tide was firmly in favour of the Rajasthan Royals before the game began. After the first innings, RR had RCB in between their fists. The Bengaluru-based squad had put on just 133 runs on board for the boys from Rajasthan to chase.

However, one legendary figure had different plans that day. After a disappointing season one, Anil Kumble rose to the occasion in the team’s first game of the second edition. To aid his cause, Praveen Kumar had already removed the openers early. The middle-order of RR had no answers, as Kumble ran through them. Including two stumpings and three catches, Kumble’s five-wicket haul came at the expense of just five runs. This spell still remains the best by an Indian in the competition.

While these have been the top 5 best spells by Indians, the other impressive bowling achievements by Indians were Harbhajan Singh’s 5/18, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 5/19, Varun Chakravarthy’s 5/20, etc. 

Thanks for reading! Which of the above-mentioned best bowling spell did you like the most in IPL? Please mention in the comments. 

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