The best bowling figures in IPL history belong to Alzarri Joseph, who took 6 wickets for 12 runs on his IPL debut in 2019. He shares the top spot for most wickets in an innings with Sohail Tanvir (6/14) and Adam Zampa (6/19). Below that, nine bowlers have taken five-wicket hauls in a single IPL innings.
This list covers the top 10 performances, as per ESPNcricinfo records, updated through IPL 2025.
Best Bowling Figures in IPL (Top 10)
| Rank | Player | Figures | Team | Opposition | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alzarri Joseph | 6/12 | MI | v SRH | Hyderabad | 6 Apr 2019 |
| 2 | Sohail Tanvir | 6/14 | RR | v CSK | Jaipur | 4 May 2008 |
| 3 | Adam Zampa | 6/19 | Supergiants | v SRH | Visakhapatnam | 10 May 2016 |
| 4 | Anil Kumble | 5/5 | RCB | v RR | Cape Town | 18 Apr 2009 |
| 5 | Akash Madhwal | 5/5 | MI | v LSG | Chennai | 24 May 2023 |
| 6 | Jasprit Bumrah | 5/10 | MI | v KKR | DY Patil | 9 May 2022 |
| 7 | Mohit Sharma | 5/10 | GT | v MI | Ahmedabad | 26 May 2023 |
| 8 | Ishant Sharma | 5/12 | Chargers | v Kochi | Kochi | 27 Apr 2011 |
| 9 | Lasith Malinga | 5/13 | MI | v Daredevils | Delhi | 10 Apr 2011 |
| 10 | Ankit Rajpoot | 5/14 | Kings XI | v SRH | Hyderabad | 26 Apr 2018 |
1. Alzarri Joseph – 6/12 (MI vs SRH, 6 April 2019)
A Record on Day One: The Most Outrageous IPL Debut Ever
Most players take a few matches to settle in. Alzarri Joseph decided his debut was a good time to set the best bowling figures in IPL history.
Playing for Mumbai Indians against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad, the West Indian pacer took 6 wickets for just 12 runs in 3.4 overs at an economy of 3.27.
What made it even more remarkable was the context. Joseph came in as a last-minute replacement for the injured Alzarri’s fellow West Indian, Lasith Malinga. He then dismantled SRH’s top and middle order in a way that even veterans don’t often manage.
He removed David Warner, Jonny Bairstow, Manish Pandey, Deepak Hooda, Shakib Al Hasan, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar in that one spell.
SRH were bowled out for 96, and MI won comfortably by 40 runs. A debut to write home about, or just write a cricket record book about.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Overs | 3.4 |
| Maidens | 1 |
| Runs | 12 |
| Wickets | 6 |
| Economy | 3.27 |
2. Sohail Tanvir – 6/14 (RR vs CSK, 4 May 2008)
The Pakistani Pacer Who Wrote the First Chapter
Long before IPL bowling records became a talking point, Sohail Tanvir set the benchmark that stood unchallenged for over a decade.
Bowling for Rajasthan Royals against Chennai Super Kings at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur, Tanvir took 6/14 in 4 overs at an economy of 3.50, in the very first season of the IPL in 2008.
CSK, featuring players like Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni, could manage only 97/9. RR chased it down with ease.
Tanvir was the Purple Cap winner of IPL 2008 as well, finishing with 22 wickets in the season. He wasn’t just a flash in the pan; he was the whole firework show.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Overs | 4.0 |
| Maidens | 0 |
| Runs | 14 |
| Wickets | 6 |
| Economy | 3.50 |
3. Adam Zampa – 6/19 (Rising Pune Supergiants vs SRH, 10 May 2016)
The Legspinner Who Surprised Everyone, Including Himself
Adam Zampa is now recognized as one of Australia’s best white-ball spinners. But back in 2016, he announced his talent to the world in one stunning IPL spell.
Playing for Rising Pune Supergiants against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Visakhapatnam, Zampa took 6 wickets for 19 runs in 4 overs at an economy of 4.75, the best figures by a spinner in IPL history.
His victims included David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan, dismantling SRH’s top order through sharp leg-spin and well-disguised googlies. SRH were restricted to 135/7. Pune fell just short in the chase, but Zampa’s spell remained unforgettable.
This performance also stands as the best bowling figures for an overseas spinner in IPL.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Overs | 4.0 |
| Maidens | 0 |
| Runs | 19 |
| Wickets | 6 |
| Economy | 4.75 |
4. Anil Kumble – 5/5 (RCB vs RR, 18 April 2009)
Bowled at Cape Town. Wickets Taken. Legend Confirmed.
The IPL 2009 edition was held in South Africa due to India’s general elections. Fittingly, Anil Kumble, one of India’s all-time greats, produced his career-best IPL performance on African soil.
Bowling for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Rajasthan Royals at Newlands, Cape Town, Kumble took 5 wickets for just 5 runs in 3.1 overs at a jaw-dropping economy of 1.57.
With figures like those, he wasn’t just bowling; he was basically batting for the other team, too.
His spell remains one of the most economical five-wicket hauls in the tournament’s history. Kumble was 38 years old at the time. Some wines do get better with age.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Overs | 3.1 |
| Maidens | 1 |
| Runs | 5 |
| Wickets | 5 |
| Economy | 1.57 |
5. Akash Madhwal – 5/5 (MI vs LSG, 24 May 2023)
From Nowhere to IPL Eliminator Hero
If you asked most cricket fans in early 2023 who Akash Madhwal was, you’d mostly get blank stares. By the end of the IPL Eliminator, he had silenced an entire Lucknow Super Giants batting lineup.
Playing for Mumbai Indians against LSG at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, Madhwal took 5/5 in 3.3 overs at a barely believable economy of 1.42 — making it the most economical five-wicket haul in IPL history.
LSG collapsed from a decent position to being bowled out for 101. MI won by 81 runs. It wasn’t a game; it was a statement.
Madhwal was playing only his fifth IPL match. His full name may be a mouthful, but his bowling figures are even harder to swallow for opposing batters.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Overs | 3.3 |
| Maidens | 0 |
| Runs | 5 |
| Wickets | 5 |
| Economy | 1.42 (best economy for a 5-wicket haul in IPL) |
6. Jasprit Bumrah – 5/10 (MI vs KKR, 9 May 2022)
The GOAT of IPL Pace Bowling Reminded Everyone Who’s Boss
By 2022, Jasprit Bumrah had already established himself as arguably the best fast bowler in the world. His IPL spell against KKR at DY Patil Stadium was just further evidence.
Bumrah took 5 wickets for 10 runs in 4 overs at an economy of 2.50 for the Mumbai Indians against the Kolkata Knight Riders.
His 5/10 figures included clinical yorkers, well-pitched slower balls, and the kind of mid-over variations that make batters look like they’ve never held a bat before.
Notably, this came during a difficult IPL 2022 season for MI, who finished last. Bumrah’s individual brilliance was a bright spot in an otherwise forgettable campaign.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Overs | 4.0 |
| Maidens | 1 |
| Runs | 10 |
| Wickets | 5 |
| Economy | 2.50 |
7. Mohit Sharma – 5/10 (GT vs MI, 26 May 2023)
The Quiet Destroyer in a Qualifier
Mohit Sharma may not be the first name that comes to mind when discussing IPL bowling records, but his performance in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2023 deserves every bit of recognition.
Bowling for the Gujarat Titans against the Mumbai Indians at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, Sharma took 5/10 in 2.2 overs at an economy of 4.28.
What’s striking is the pace of destruction. He took all five wickets in under 2.5 overs, making it one of the fastest five-wicket hauls in IPL playoff history.
GT went on to reach the final. Sharma’s spell was the decisive moment that ended MI’s run. Sometimes the quietest bowlers say the most.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Overs | 2.2 |
| Maidens | 0 |
| Runs | 10 |
| Wickets | 5 |
| Economy | 4.28 |
8. Ishant Sharma – 5/12 (Deccan Chargers vs Kochi Tuskers, 27 April 2011)
A Tall Order, Easily Fulfilled
Ishant Sharma has always been better known for his Test cricket than T20 exploits. But at Nehru Stadium, Kochi, he produced a spell that would not look out of place on any format’s highlight reel.
Playing for Deccan Chargers against Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Ishant took 5/12 in 3 overs at an economy of 4.00.
Kochi Tuskers were a team that played just one IPL season before being dissolved. In this match, they were dismissed for a low total. Ishant’s bounce and pace on the relatively slow Kochi pitch made him nearly unplayable.
This remains one of the most underrated five-wicket hauls in IPL history, mainly because the Tuskers themselves are largely forgotten.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Overs | 3.0 |
| Maidens | 0 |
| Runs | 12 |
| Wickets | 5 |
| Economy | 4.00 |
9. Lasith Malinga – 5/13 (MI vs Delhi Daredevils, 10 April 2011)
The Slingy Wizard Who Made Yorkers Look Like Art
Lasith Malinga is widely considered the greatest T20 bowler of his generation. His 5/13 for the Mumbai Indians against the Delhi Daredevils at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, is a snapshot of everything that made him terrifying.
In 3.4 overs, the Sri Lankan slinger took 5 wickets for 13 runs at an economy of 3.54, combining pinpoint yorkers with variations that had Daredevils batters genuinely confused about which way to play him.
Delhi was restricted to a low total. MI won the match comfortably.
Malinga went on to become one of MI’s most important match-winners across multiple IPL title campaigns. This performance in 2011 was among his earliest proofs of that status.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Overs | 3.4 |
| Maidens | 1 |
| Runs | 13 |
| Wickets | 5 |
| Economy | 3.54 |
10. Ankit Rajpoot – 5/14 (Kings XI Punjab vs SRH, 26 April 2018)
The Domestic Warrior Who Showed Up When It Mattered
Ankit Rajpoot was another domestic circuit regular who announced himself on the biggest T20 stage with a five-for that few expected.
Playing for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad, Rajpoot took 5 wickets for 14 runs in 4 overs at an economy of 3.50.
SRH’s batting lineup, which included Shikhar Dhawan, Kane Williamson, and Manish Pandey, was dismantled comprehensively. SRH were bowled out for 132. Kings XI went on to win the match.
Rajpoot’s figures place him firmly among the best bowling performances in IPL history, even if his overall career didn’t scale the same heights.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Overs | 4.0 |
| Maidens | 0 |
| Runs | 14 |
| Wickets | 5 |
| Economy | 3.50 |
Key Patterns Worth Noting
Here are Some Key Patterns Worth to take a note of.
Mumbai Indians Dominate This List
Of the top 10 performances, 4 involve the Mumbai Indians, either as the bowling team or the one being bowled at. Given MI’s success across 5 IPL titles, it’s no surprise that both the best bowlers and the most competitive batting lineups have featured in MI matches.
The IPL Debut Effect is Real
Both Alzarri Joseph and Akash Madhwal produced their record-breaking spells under intense pressure, on debut and in an eliminator, respectively. High-stakes cricket clearly brings out extraordinary bowling.
Pace vs. Spin
Eight of the ten bowlers on this list are pace bowlers. The two spinners, Anil Kumble and Adam Zampa, took the most economical (Kumble, 1.57) and highest wicket (Zampa, 6/19) figures for their category, proving that leg-spin can still be devastating in T20 cricket.
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Frequently the Victims
SRH appear as the opposition in three of the top ten performances, against Joseph, Zampa, and Rajpoot. Across various phases of their history, SRH’s middle order has proven vulnerable to quality bowling in challenging conditions.
Most Recent Addition: Mitchell Starc – 5/35 (DC vs SRH, 30 March 2025)
While not in the top 10, Mitchell Starc added his name to the IPL five-wicket haul list in the 2025 season. Playing for Delhi Capitals against SRH at Visakhapatnam, Starc took 5/35 in 3.4 overs, a reminder that top-tier pace bowling remains a game-changing force in the IPL 2025 era.
Also Read:
Alzari Joseph holds the Record of the best bowling figures in IPL history (6/12)
The best bowling figures in IPL history tell a story of unexpected heroes, legendary craftsmen, and moments that T20 cricket rarely produces. From Joseph’s stunning debut to Madhwal’s eliminator masterclass, these spells remind us why bowling still matters in a format built for big hits.
