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The IPL is a league synonymous with big hitting, pyrotechnics at the crease, and sixes soaring into the night sky. But amidst the thrill, there are moments where even the most skilled bowlers struggle to contain the onslaught. Here, we look at the top 5 most expensive bowling spells in IPL history, where bowlers were left at the mercy of the batsmen:
- Mohit Sharma (73 runs) – The high-octane clash between Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans in Delhi on April 24, 2024, witnessed an unfortunate outing for veteran pacer Mohit Sharma. Bowling for Gujarat Titans, Sharma endured a night to forget, conceding a tournament-record 73 runs in his four overs without taking a single wicket. The brutal assault came at the hands of the Delhi Capitals batsmen, particularly Rishabh Pant, who smashed four sixes and a four off Sharma’s final over alone. Despite Sharma’s expensive spell, Delhi Capitals, batting first, managed to post a formidable total of 224 runs. The bowlers, excluding Sharma, did well to restrict Gujarat Titans, eventually securing a narrow victory by just 4 runs.
- Basil Thampi (70 runs) – For a long time, Basil Thampi held the unwanted record for the most expensive spell in IPL history. Playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2018, Thampi was taken to the cleaners by the Royal Challengers Bangalore batting line-up. Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers were in devastating form, finding the boundary with ease. By the end of his four overs, a hapless Thampi had conceded a record-breaking 70 runs, although he managed to escape without taking a wicket.
- Yash Dayal (69 runs) – Young Gujarat Titans spinner Yash Dayal had a baptism by fire in the 2023 season against the explosive Kolkata Knight Riders batting line-up. Andre Russell, known for his six-hitting prowess, took particular liking to Dayal’s bowling, launching him over the ropes on multiple occasions. Dayal’s four overs yielded a massive 69 runs, albeit without conceding a wicket. Fortunately for Gujarat Titans, their strong batting performance ensured a comfortable victory despite Dayal’s expensive spell.
- Reece Topley (68 runs) – Reece Topley, the English left-arm seamer playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the ongoing 2024 season, had a forgettable outing against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium witnessed a brutal onslaught by the SRH batsmen, with Nicholas Pooran leading the charge. Topley’s four overs went for a whopping 68 runs, with just one wicket to show for his efforts. Despite his expensive spell, RCB bowlers managed to restrict the damage and emerged victorious.
- Luke Wood (68 runs) – Mumbai Indians’ Luke Wood had a rough outing in their IPL match against Delhi Capitals on April 27th, 2024. The Delhi batsmen took him to the cleaners, with Wood conceding a hefty 68 runs in his 4 overs. While he did manage to pick up 1 wicket, his spell was marred by a flurry of boundaries – 9 fours and a staggering 4 sixes were hammered off his bowling. This expensive spell ultimately proved costly for Mumbai Indians, who fell short of the target by 10 runs.
While these spells showcase the dominance batsmen can exert in the T20 format, it’s important to remember that bowlers too can bounce back stronger. The IPL is a marathon, not a sprint, and these outings don’t define a bowler’s entire career. Each match presents a fresh opportunity, and the bowlers featured here will undoubtedly be looking to redeem themselves in future encounters. Ultimately, these expensive spells add another layer of drama and unpredictability to the IPL, making it a league where both bat and ball can have their say on any given night.
