Top 10 Most Expensive Bowling Spells in IPL History

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed countless magical spells where bowlers have dominated the world’s best batters. However, not every day belongs to the bowlers. In a tournament known for its high-scoring thrillers and relentless power-hitting, even the most skilled pacers and spinners have endured forgettable days. From Jofra Archer’s record-breaking figures to Basil Thampi’s expensive outing, let’s revisit the top 10 most expensive bowling spells in IPL history, moments when fortune favoured the batters and bowlers were left searching for answers.

10. Mujeeb Ur Rahman – 66 Runs vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (2019)

Afghanistan’s Mujeeb Ur Rahman joined the list of foreign bowlers with worst figures in IPL history when he conceded 66 runs in his four-over spell for Punjab Kings against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2019.

David Warner dominated Mujeeb throughout, setting the tone for SRH’s innings and leading them to a comfortable 45-run win. Mujeeb’s expensive outing stands among the IPL bowlers records worst spell ever recorded by a spinner.

9. Ishant Sharma – 66 Runs vs Chennai Super Kings (2013)

Veteran pacer Ishant Sharma’s 2013 match for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Chennai Super Kings is one of the earliest examples of a bowling disaster spell in IPL history. Ishant gave away 66 runs in four overs as Michael Hussey, Murali Vijay, and Suresh Raina tore into him.

Raina’s 25-run final over ensured SRH’s 77-run defeat, marking this spell as one of the worst bowling figures by an Indian bowler in IPL.

8. Luke Wood – 68 Runs vs Delhi Capitals (2024)

In another 2024 IPL match, Mumbai Indians’ left-arm pacer Luke Wood conceded 68 runs in four overs against Delhi Capitals. Though he managed to take one wicket, his economy rate of 17.00 placed him among the worst bowling economy IPL records.

Delhi’s batters targeted Wood from start to finish, turning his spell into one of the poor bowling performances IPL fans still recall.

7. Reece Topley – 68 Runs vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (2024)

Reece Topley, the tall English pacer for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, conceded 68 runs in four overs against SRH in 2024. Travis Head was once again the aggressor, blasting a century as SRH piled up 287/3- the highest total in IPL history.

Topley’s spell is often cited among the worst bowling performances in IPL, showing how even experienced international bowlers can struggle in batting-friendly conditions.

6. Yash Dayal – 69 Runs vs Kolkata Knight Riders (2023)

Yash Dayal’s spell for Gujarat Titans against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2023 was one of the most dramatic IPL bowling records ever. Defending 29 runs in the last over, Dayal was hit for five consecutive sixes by Rinku Singh, conceding 69 runs overall in his four overs.

That over remains one of the IPL most runs given in an over and a defining moment in T20 history; a perfect example of how one over can change an entire game.

5. Basil Thampi – 70 Runs vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (2018)

Basil Thampi’s outing for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2018 remains one of the most expensive spells IPL fans remember vividly. Thampi leaked 70 runs in four overs as AB de Villiers and Moeen Ali tore into the attack.

This spell, once the record for the worst bowling figures in IPL, came in a high-scoring match where RCB posted 218/6, eventually winning by 14 runs.

4. Mohit Sharma – 73 Runs vs Delhi Capitals (2024)

Mohit Sharma, playing for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2024, held the unwanted record for the IPL highest runs given by a bowler before Archer’s spell. He conceded 73 runs in just four overs against Delhi Capitals.

Rishabh Pant was merciless, hammering 62 runs off just 19 balls from Sharma, including seven sixes and three fours. The final over, where Pant scored 31 runs, highlighted the IPL costliest over by a bowler and sealed Sharma’s spot among the top worst bowling spells in IPL history.

3. Will O’Rourke – 74 Runs vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2025)

Lucknow Super Giants’ young pacer Will O’Rourke made headlines in IPL 2025 for conceding 74 runs in four overs against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Despite taking crucial wickets later in the game, O’Rourke’s spell remains one of the most runs conceded in an IPL match.

While it was a tough learning experience, his performance reflected how unpredictable T20 cricket can be, even for emerging fast bowlers who show great promise.

2. Mohammed Shami – 75 Runs vs Punjab Kings (2025)

Right after Archer’s record-breaking spell, Mohammed Shami found himself in a similar situation. Representing Sunrisers Hyderabad against Punjab Kings in IPL 2025, Shami conceded 75 runs in his four overs without taking a wicket.

Despite being one of India’s most consistent pacers, this match turned into a nightmare as Punjab’s batters launched a relentless attack. It remains one of the costliest bowling figures in IPL and the worst economy rate spell in IPL ever, with an economy of 18.75.

1. Jofra Archer – 76 Runs vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (2025)

When it comes to the most expensive bowling spells in IPL, Jofra Archer tops the list. Playing for Rajasthan Royals against Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2025, Archer endured a nightmarish spell, conceding 76 runs in his four overs without taking a wicket, the most runs conceded by a bowler in IPL history.

Travis Head, Ishan Kishan, and Heinrich Klaasen went on an all-out assault, with Kishan smashing an unbeaten 106 off just 47 balls. SRH posted a mammoth 286/6; the second-highest total in IPL history, leaving Archer with an unwanted record for the worst bowling figures in IPL history.

FAQs

1. Who has the most expensive bowling spell in IPL history?
   Jofra Archer holds the record for the most expensive bowling spell in IPL history. Playing for Rajasthan Royals against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2025, he conceded 76 runs in four overs without taking a wicket, the costliest figures ever recorded in the tournament.
2. Which bowler conceded the most runs in an IPL match?
   >>Jofra Archer conceded the most runs in a single IPL match, giving away 76 runs in four overs during the 2025 season. His spell surpassed Mohit Sharma’s previous record of 73 runs conceded in 2024.
3. What is the worst economy rate spell in IPL ever?
   >>The worst economy rate spell in IPL history belongs to Jofra Archer, with an economy of 19.00 during his four-over spell for Rajasthan Royals against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2025.
4. Which Indian bowler has the most expensive spell in IPL history?
   >>Mohit Sharma’s 73-run spell for Gujarat Titans against Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024 is the most expensive by an Indian bowler. His economy rate of 18.25 makes it one of the worst bowling performances by an Indian in IPL history.
5. Which foreign bowlers have the worst figures in IPL history?
   >>Among overseas players, Jofra Archer (76 runs, 2025), Reece Topley (68 runs, 2024), and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (66 runs, 2019) feature prominently in the list of foreign bowlers with worst figures in IPL history.
6. What are the top 10 most expensive spells in IPL history?
   >>The top 10 costliest bowling figures in IPL history are held by Jofra Archer, Mohammed Shami, Will O’Rourke, Mohit Sharma, Basil Thampi, Yash Dayal, Reece Topley, Luke Wood, Ishant Sharma, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
7. Which over is considered the IPL costliest over by a bowler?
   >>The final over bowled by Mohit Sharma to Rishabh Pant in IPL 2024 is often regarded as the IPL costliest over by a bowler, with Pant scoring 31 runs,including seven sixes across the innings from Mohit’s spell.
8. What is the most runs conceded in one inning in IPL history?
   >>Jofra Archer’s four-over spell conceding 76 runs in IPL 2025 against SRH stands as the record for the most runs conceded in one inning IPL.
9. What is the most expensive T20 bowling spell in IPL?
   >>Jofra Archer’s 76-run spell (0/76 in 4 overs) for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025 is the most expensive T20 bowling spell in IPL history.
10. What is the most runs conceded in the final over in IPL?
    >>The most runs conceded in a final over in IPL history came from Yash Dayal’s over against Rinku Singh in 2023, where he gave away five consecutive sixes, totaling 30 runs and sealing an unforgettable match for KKR.

Jofra Archer’s record-breaking spell of 76 runs remains the most expensive T20 bowling spell in IPL history, a reminder that even world-class bowlers can have off days. From Basil Thampi to Mohit Sharma and Yash Dayal, these IPL worst record for bowlers highlight the unpredictable nature of cricket.

As batting standards continue to rise and power-hitting becomes the norm, the list of IPL bowling disaster spells is likely to grow. After all, in the IPL, one over can turn heroes into headlines, for all the wrong reasons.

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