Over the course the last 12 seasons in the Indian Premier League (IPL), we often talk about the big batting performances. Yes, we do talk about the bowling spells as well but not as much and they are often underrated. Hence, here we talk about the bowling performances that turned the match on its head. Let’s take a look at five top bowling spells in the history of the IPL among the current cricketers.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar 5/19 vs KXIP (2017)
There was a time when Bhuvneshwar Kumar was running riot for a couple of seasons in the IPL. He ended up with the Purple Cap in the back to back years. And in 2017, he produced a gem of a bowling performance. In the 19th match of the 2017 season, David Warner’s 70 propelled Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to 159 against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP).
Defending a par total, Bhuvneshwar Kumar gave his side the perfect start as he got a wicket off the first ball, dismissing Hashim Amla. In his next over, the Meerut fast bowler prized out Glenn Maxwell to give SRH the early advantage. Manan Vohra kept going from one end despite KXIP losing wickets regularly. He kept the required rate under control and was mastering the run chase. Kumar came back at the death and picked up three wickets, including that of Vohra in the penultimate over to seal the game for SRH. He ended up with figures of 5/19 and was adjudged the man of the match.
Alzarri Joseph 6/12 vs SRH (2019)
This is a pretty underrated spell in the history of the IPL. Despite this taking place only last year, only a few people remember this spell. It was the early stages of the 2019 IPL and Mumbai Indians (MI) faced SRH on a tricky surface in Hyderabad. They could put up just 136 after they were sent into bat first.
With David Warner and Jonny Bairstow in red-hot form, the chase looked more like a formality. They even got off to a good start as the duo put on 33 in less than four overs before Rahul Chahar dismissed Bairstow. After that, it was the Alzarri Joseph show. He just ran through the SRH batting line-up. The other bowlers chipped in with an odd wicket here and there, but it was Joseph who was on fire. He picked up a stunning 6/12 and SRH were bowled out for a mere 96.
Rashid Khan 3/19 vs KXIP (2018)
The same game saw two superb bowling performances. Ankit Rajpoot produced a spell 5/14 and it was just Manish Pandey’s 54 that helped SRH get to 132. But that is not the spell we are talking about. It is not often that a five-wicket haul gets overshadowed but Rashid Khan’s brilliance ensured that. Over the last few years, SRH have been a fabulous defending team. And this was another case of a brilliant defence.
Chasing 133, Chris Gayle and KL Rahul gave KXIP a strong start as they put on 55 for the opening partnership. However, once Rashid came into the attack, the tide turned. The KXIP batsmen just couldn’t get him away and he kept building pressure. After castling Rahul for 32, the Afghan leg-spinner dismissed Karun Nair before putting the nail in the coffin with Ravichandran Ashwin’s wicket. Rashid’s excellent spell of 3/19 ensured SRH defended 132 with ease in the end.
Jaydev Unadkat 5/25 vs Delhi (2013)
This name might be a surprising name in this list but Jaydev Unadkat has been very good in the IPL. He may not have had the best of times in the last couple of seasons but he has been a consistent performer. In fact, he is one of the only two bowlers to take two five-wicket hauls in the IPL. Here, we are talking about his first fifer when he was with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2013.
This was in the latter half of the 2013 IPL and this game against Delhi is much remembered for Virat Kohli’s 99. That knock helped RCB get to 183. All of Delhi’s batsmen got starts but every time Unadkat came on to bowl, he picked up a wicket. He picked up the first two wickets before coming back at the death and producing an excellent spell. He took three wickets in his last two overs and helped RCB eke out a four-run win. Unadkat ended with figures of 5/25 and he was awarded the man of the match.
Ravichandran Ashwin 3/16 vs RCB (2011)
This might be another surprising entry in this list, considering so many other bowlers have picked up fifers. However, this is another underrated spell, especially considering it came in the final. In the 2011 final, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) racked up 205 on the back of fifties from Murali Vijay and Michael Hussey. However, the game wasn’t done yet, especially with Chris Gayle in super-hot form.
But MS Dhoni used him trump card and opened the bowling with Ravichandran Ashwin and that paid off. The Tamil Nadu off-spinner had Gayle caught behind to dent RCB’s hopes. In his very next over, Ashwin dismissed Mayank Agarwal before picking up the wicket of Daniel Vettori to end RCB’s fight. Ashwin ended with figures of 3/16 which is one of the best bowling performances in an IPL final.
