The Indian Premier League has primarily favored the batsmen, considering that a T20 tournament requires heavy hitters to pull the team ahead.
Over the years, there have been several bowlers who have made a significant impact in the IPL, leaving a lasting impression on fans and pundits alike.
With narrow boundaries, field restrictions, heavy hitters, and stricter rules, bowlers have evolved enormously to meet the expectations of modern cricket.
In this blog, we will take a closer look at the top 5 bowlers with the best bowling average in IPL history. These bowlers have been consistent performers in the tournament and have helped their teams achieve success.
Table of Contents
List of Bowlers With Best Bowling Average in IPL History
The following five bowlers have enjoyed a ground-breaking role in the victory of their team and the entirety of T20 cricket –
Kagiso Rabada – Delhi Capitals
Rabada is regarded as one of the best bowlers in the history of IPL due to the stellar portrayal of his bowling skills that have carried his team ahead. He holds the record for being the player with the best bowling average in the history of IPL.
Rabada has bowled in 35 IPL matches, has stolen 61 wickets, and has conceded 1,104 runs. These figures carry his bowling average to a staggering 18.09, the best in the tournament so far.
Related: IPL Schedule 2023, Fastest Centuries in IPL
Doug Bollinger – Retired
Doug Bollinger holds the second position on this list with the second-best bowling average in the tournament’s history. Bollinger has played a total of 27 matches and has bowled 96 overs. He has 37 wickets under his name and has conceded 693 runs, granting him an average of 18.72.
He got acquired by the Chennai Super Kings, where he played a pivotal role in the team’s title triumphs in 2010 and 2011. He portrayed a fiery pace and aggression in the team’s bowling attack.
Related: Fastest 50 in IPL History
Dimitri Mascarenhas – Punjab Kings
Dimitri Mascarenhas stands third on this list and has only played in 13 IPL matches with 51.2 overs bowled overall. In his short-lived career, he has stolen 19 wickets and conceded 356 runs.
His most acknowledged record in IPL is taking five wickets for a mere 25 runs. His stunning performance in IPL grants him an average of 18.73, making him the rightful holder of this position
MF Maharoof – Retired
MF Maharoof is a fast-bowling all-rounder who bowls seamers from an upright, open-chested action. He has bowled in 20 IPL matches and holds the fourth-best bowling average rank in IPL history.
In his short career span in IPL 20, he has bowled 70 overs and holds 27 wickets in his name, conceding 520 runs. His bowling figures in the 20 matches grant him an average of 19.25, placing him at the fourth position on this list.
Lasith Malinga – Retired
Lasith Malinga is regarded as one of the more feared pacers of all time. He holds several records written in his name in not only IPL but international matches as well. This Sri Lankan pacer has the record for the highest wicket-taker in IPL history.
Malinga has played 122 IPL matches so far and has bowled a whopping 471.1 overs. From these matches, he has stolen a total of 170 wickets and conceded 3366 runs, giving him an average of 19.80.
Final Words
While T20 cricket leagues such as IPL are typically about scoring big runs with the bat, it is the responsibility of the bowling squad to ensure that the opposition’s batting strategies get halted in their path.
Several bowlers over the years have stolen critical wickets in a match that turned out to be the deciding element for the match. The bowlers have gotten ranked as per their bowling average portrayed in games played throughout the IPL history.
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