Cricket has always been one of the most popular sports in India, and the Indian Premier League (IPL) has taken it to new heights. The IPL is not only a platform for talented cricketers to showcase their skills but also a battleground for some of the most economic bowlers in the world. Bowling in the shortest format of the game is not an easy task, as bowlers need to be highly skilled and have the ability to adapt quickly to different situations. In this blog, we will discuss the 5 most economic bowlers in the IPL.
Number 1. Glenn McGrath
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Glenn McGrath’s legendary status as a fast bowler made him an instant success in the IPL, thanks to his exceptional accuracy, consistency, and discipline on the field. McGrath’s versatility and adaptability allowed him to bowl at any stage of the innings and adjust to various conditions, which made him an asset to any team. Playing for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in 2008 and 2009, McGrath took 12 wickets in 14 matches with an impressive economy rate of 6.61 runs per over, which ranks among the best in IPL history.
Despite his outstanding performances, McGrath retired from IPL after the 2009 season, citing personal reasons. Nonetheless, his impact on the tournament and his legacy as one of the finest fast bowlers in cricket history remain unmatched.
Number 2. Anil Kumble
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Anil Kumble’s success in the IPL was largely due to his legendary status as a leg spinner, possessing exceptional variations, accuracy, and control on the field. He was a master at reading the pitch and could bowl in any situation, making him a valuable asset to any team. During his stint with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) from 2008 to 2010, Kumble took 45 wickets in 42 matches, with an outstanding economy rate of 6.57 runs per over, which ranks among the best in IPL history.
In addition to his impressive performances, Kumble also captained RCB to the final in 2009 and recorded a five-wicket haul against the Rajasthan Royals. Following his retirement from IPL after the 2010 season, Kumble transitioned into coaching various teams, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of the greatest leg spinners in cricket history.
Number 3. Lasith Malinga
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Lasith Malinga’s success in the IPL can be attributed to his legendary status as a fast bowler, known for his unique slinging action, toe-crushing yorkers, and deceptive change-of-pace deliveries. His ability to bowl at any stage of the innings and defend any target made him a valuable asset to any team. From 2008 to 2020, Malinga played for Mumbai Indians (MI) and took an impressive 170 wickets in 122 matches, with an economy rate of 7.14 runs per over, which is one of the best in IPL history.
During his time with MI, he won four IPL titles and two Champions League titles, and his four-wicket haul in four balls against RCB in 2019 remains one of the greatest feats in IPL history. After retiring from the IPL after the 2020 season, Malinga took on a new role as a coach for Rajasthan Royals (RR) in 2022, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history.
Number 4. Sunil Narine
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Sunil Narine’s exceptional success in the IPL can be attributed to his versatility as an off-spinner, having great variations, accuracy, and control. He proved to be a game-changer by bowling in the powerplay as well as at the death, consistently troubling the opposition batsmen. In addition to his impressive bowling skills, he also showcased his ability as a dangerous pinch-hitter, scoring quick runs at the top of the order. Sunil Narine played for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a decade, from 2012 to 2022, and took 137 wickets in 125 matches with an economy rate of 6.77 runs per over, which is among the best in IPL history.
He played a crucial role in KKR’s two IPL titles and one Champions League title, and in 2017, he smashed a 17-ball fifty against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Sunil Narine announced his retirement from IPL after the 2022 season, but he will continue to contribute to the game as a mentor for KKR.
Number 5. Rashid Khan
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Rashid Khan is highly coveted by T20 leagues across the globe due to his impeccable leg-spin technique and variation that makes him a difficult bowler to face. His biggest strength lies in his remarkable economy rate, which is significantly lower than most other bowlers. He has played 62 matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans in the IPL, where his economy rate is an impressive 6.24 12. Rashid has stated that his primary focus is always on maintaining a tight economy rate rather than taking wickets 34. His economical bowling creates pressure on the batsmen and helps his team to win matches.
