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T20 cricket is a game dominated by the batters. It is because everything is in favour of the batsmen from the start to the bottom. That is why even an economy of around 8 runs per over is considered pretty good in the game. The Indian Premier League was inaugurated in 2008, and since then it has produced some incredible batting performances, both individually and team-wise as well.
A good batting performance means a bad day for bowlers. Every bowler has bad days, and sometimes they concede very expensive spells in the game. This article is also related to this stat, where we will talk about the most expensive spells ever bowled in the history of the IPL.
Most Expensive Bowling Spells in IPL
Here are the top five most expensive Bowling Spells in the IPL
5. Kwena Maphaka (MI) – 66/0
Making a debut in the IPL is always special, especially when you are an overseas bowler. But the debut game can be a nightmare sometimes. Something similar happened with South African teenager pacer Kwena Maphaka, who made his debut for Mumbai Indians in the 8th game of the IPL 2024 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, registered an unwanted record. He started well with seven runs in the first over but ended up giving away 66 runs in four overs without taking a wicket. SRH made the score of 277/8 and won by 31 runs. Maphaka registered the most expensive spell by an IPL debutant.
4. Arshdeep Singh (PBKS) – 66/1
Arshdeep Singh is one of the premier pacers for India in the shoter format, but he also had some bad days in his IPL career. The left-arm pacer conceded the joint-third-most expensive spell in the IPL. It came against Mumbai Indians in 2023 in Mohali. Batting first, PBKS reached a big total of 214/3 in the first innings. But they couldn’t defend the title. MI made 216/4 in 18.5 overs and registered a big chase. Arshdeep gave away 66/1 in just 3.5 overs and registered an unwanted record.
3. Ishant Sharma (SRH) – 66/0
Veteran Indian pacer Ishant Sharma has also gone through such days where nothing has worked for him in the IPL. His most expensive IPL spell came in the 2013 edition while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad. It was the 54th game of the tournament in Hyderabad against Chennai Super Kings. In the first innings, CSK posted a big total of 223/3, and Suresh Raina made 99* off 54. Ishant bowled four overs for 66 runs without a wicket. It was then the most expensive IPL spell. SRH made 146/8 and lost the game.
2. Yash Dayal (GT) – 69/0
No one can forget the moment when Rinku Singh smashed five consecutive sixes on the last five balls off Yash Dayal to win the game for KKR in 2023. That game saw Yash Dayal register the second-most expensive spell in the IPL. It was the 13th game between GT and KKR in Ahmedabad. GT scored a big total of 204/4 in the first innings. Chasing the score, KKR needed 28 runs off the last five overs, and Rinku smashed five consecutive sixes to take KKR to 207/7 and win the game. Dayal was the bowler who ended up with 69/0 in his four overs.
1. Basil Thampi (SRH) – 70/0
The unwanted record for the most expensive IPL spell is registered under the name of Basil Thampi. It came in the 2018 edition of a game between RCB and SRH. Batting first, RCB scored a big total of 218/6. Every SRH bowler was taken to the cleaners, but Thampi got thumped more. He gave away 70 runs, including six sixes and five fours, and couldn’t take a wicket. In reply, SRH made 204/3 but lost the game by 14 runs.
