Lasith Malinga has the best bowling average in IPL with a minimum of 40 wickets. The Sri Lankan pacer has been a great performer in the Indian Premier League for Mumbai Indians. Malinga has taken 170 wickets at an average of 19.79. The best bowling average in IPL is a feat that is very underappreciated. There have been many great International bowlers who have played in the Indian Premier League.
Along with Malinga, Imran Tahir and Rashid Khan have been great bowlers and their averages are evidence of that. The South African spinner has picked up 82 wickets at an average of 20.76. However, Afghanistan’s superstar, Rashid Khan isn’t behind by very much. Rashid has picked up 149 wickets at an average of 21.82.
The bowling average is the number of runs a bowler gives on an average for taking a wicket. It is a very crucial metric in cricket, especially in short-form cricket like the T20 format. While the other two formats require bowlers to take wickets without thinking much about the runs conceded and focussing on strike rates. The T20 format demands defensive bowling as well because conceding runs can prove to be harmful in spite of taking wickets.
In the IPL, there have been many bowlers to take many wickets but only a few are considered to be essential to their teams. These few bowlers are a great asset for their teams because they have the ability to bowl economically as well as pick up wickets. In the IPL the conditions are more suited for batters with the condition of pitch, length of boundaries as well as the impact player rule. This allows batters to go extra hard to go for runs without worrying about being dismissed. The lengthening of batting depth has meant that every IPL franchise has nearly seven to eight batters. With just 120 balls to play the batters now have an incentive to go for sixes and fours.
Best Bowling Average in IPL 2024
| SN | Player | Matches | Overs | Wickets | Runs | Average | Best Bowling Figures | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tristan Stubbs | 14 | 2.0 | 3 | 15 | 5.0 | 2/11 | 7.50 |
| 2 | Shashank Singh | 14 | 1.0 | 1 | 5 | 5.0 | 1/5 | 5.00 |
| 3 | Joshua Little | 1 | 4.0 | 4 | 45 | 11.25 | 4/45 | 11.25 |
| 4 | Mayank Yadav | 4 | 12.1 | 7 | 85 | 12.14 | 3/14 | 6.98 |
| 5 | Matheesha Pathirana | 6 | 22.0 | 13 | 169 | 13.00 | 4/28 | 7.68 |
| 6 | Shivam Dube | 14 | 1.0 | 1 | 14 | 14.00 | 1/14 | 14.00 |
| 7 | Darshan Nalkande | 3 | 4.5 | 3 | 45 | 15.00 | 2/21 | 9.31 |
| 8 | Andre Russell | 15 | 29.2 | 19 | 295 | 15.52 | 3/19 | 10.05 |
| 9 | Jasprit Bumrah | 13 | 51.5 | 20 | 336 | 16.80 | 5/21 | 6.48 |
| 10 | Vidwath Kaverappa | 1 | 4.0 | 2 | 36 | 18.00 | 2/36 | 9.00 |
Tristan Stubbs and Shashank Singh have the best bowling average in IPL 2024. The two all-rounders did not bowl much but were really effective for their sides. Stubbs and Shashank averaged 5 runs per wicket in IPL 2024. Stubbs bowled two overs picking up three wickets. He gave away 15 runs as well. Shashank on the other bowled only one over picking up a wicket while giving away five runs.
Joshua Little follows them on this list. Little had an average of 11.25. The Irish pacer played only one match where he picked up a four-fer conceding 45 runs. Indian pace sensation, Mayank Yadav is ranked fourth with an average of 12.14. The speedster picked up seven wickets while giving away 85 runs.
Matheesh Pathirana, also known as the baby Malinga has been a sensation in IPL since his debut. The Sri Lankan pacer picked up 13 wickets at an average of 13. Andre Russell and Jasprit Bumrah too make it to this list after taking more wickets than almost every bowler. Russell picked up 19 wickets at an average of 15.52 while Bumrah picked up 20 wickets at an average of 16.80.
List of Best Bowling Average in IPL History
| SN | Player | Matches | Overs | Wickets | Runs | Average | Best Bowling Figures | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lasith Malinga | 122 | 471.1 | 170 | 3365 | 19.79 | 5/13 | 7.14 |
| 2 | Imran Tahir | 59 | 219.2 | 82 | 1703 | 20.76 | 4/12 | 7.76 |
| 3 | Rashid Khan | 121 | 476.3 | 149 | 3252 | 21.82 | 4/24 | 6.82 |
| 4 | Kagiso Rabada | 80 | 303 | 117 | 2570 | 21.96 | 4/21 | 8.48 |
| 5 | Mitchell Starc | 41 | 138.3 | 51 | 1137 | 22.29 | 4/15 | 8.20 |
| 6 | Yuzvendra Chahal | 160 | 586.5 | 205 | 4602 | 22.44 | 5/40 | 7.84 |
| 7 | Jasprit Bumrah | 133 | 508.5 | 165 | 3715 | 22.51 | 5/10 | 7.30 |
| 8 | Nathan Coulter-Nile | 39 | 142.5 | 48 | 1100 | 22.91 | 4/14 | 7.70 |
| 9 | Munaf Patel | 63 | 225.5 | 74 | 1698 | 22.94 | 5/21 | 7.51 |
| 10 | Andre Russell | 127 | 282.5 | 115 | 2646 | 23 | 5/15 | 9.35 |
1. Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga is arguably the greatest pacer in IPL’s history. The Sri Lankan legend has the best bowling average for players with at least 40 wickets in the IPL. Malinga picked up 170 wickets while conceding 3,365 runs averaging 19.79 per wicket. His greatest strengths were his two stock deliveries. Malinga had an incredible toe-crushing yorker which was often unplayable by the best batters. He had a deceptive slow bouncer which enticed players to have a go at and edge the ball behind to keeper. He also had a knack for bowling wide yorkers. These wide yorkers were not bowled necessarily for taking wickets but were used by him as a medium to restrict runs. Malinga also played a huge role in Mumbai Indians’ four of the five title wins in 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019. In those four seasons, he picked up more than 70 wickets at an average of close to 24.
2. Imran Tahir
Imran Tahir was always a late bloomer. He made his international debut in 2011 at the age of 32 years. His first IPL season came much later at the age of 35 years. Since his debut in the IPL, the South African leg-spinner has been a great performer for his teams. Tahir has picked up 82 wickets at an average of 20.76 and has the best bowling average for a spinner in the IPL. While his long sprinting celebrations are etched in history, he made a name for himself with a googly which was tough to read for many batters. He is one of the leg spinners who not only spin the ball but does it at a higher pace like Shahid Afridi and Anil Kumble. His long height allowed him to be quick through the air which meant that the batters did not have much time to read him off the pitch. This allowed him to be economical while picking up wickets.
3. Rashid Khan
The first global superstar from Afghanistan, Rashid Khan has been a live wire in IPL since his first match. The leg-spinner has made a reputation for himself as possibly the best spinner in the shortest format of the game. Rashid has picked up 149 wickets at an average of 21.82. He too like Imran Tahir is similar to Shahid Afridi and Anil Kumble. Like his bowling idol, Afridi, Rashid does not spin the ball much and relies more on his speeds and variations. Among his many variations, the googly has to be his most potent weapon. He has used his googly to not only pick many wickets but restrict the run flow. In his first six seasons at the IPL, Rashid did not finish a season with an economy of more than 7 RPO. While Rashid has only won the IPL title once, his success is evident in the tournament thanks to his wickets, economy, average and strike rate. With age on his side, Rashid can climb up a few spots on bowling record tallies.
4. Kagiso Rabada
Kagiso Rabada is the second South African to make it into the list for best bowling average in IPL. The pacer has picked up 117 wickets in the IPL at an average of 21.96. Rabada has been a successful death bowler and picks up most of his wickets during that phase. While most players prove to be expensive during the death overs, Rabada has been successful in not only defending totals but also picking up wickets in the process. He has been a consistent performer in the IPL. In his seven seasons at the IPL, Rabada has picked up more than 20 wickets thrice including 30 wickets for DC in 2020 where they ended as the runner-up.
5. Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc made a comeback to the IPL after a nine-year hiatus in 2024. Wherever Starc has played he has been a strike bowler for his teams. In the IPL, for the limited matches he has played, Starc has been an impressive performer. The left-arm pacer has picked up 51 wickets at an average of 22.29. Before his title-winning season at KKR in 2024, Starc had played only two seasons in 2014 and 2015. His best season came in 2015 for RCB, when he picked up 20 wickets at an average of 14.55. In IPL 2024, Starc showed his class and experience as he bounced back during the season after having a poor start to the season. He was one of the best bowlers in the later stages of the season including the playoffs.
Best Bowling Average in IPL by Indian Bowlers
| SN | Player | Matches | Overs | Wickets | Runs | Average | Best Bowling Figures | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yuzvendra Chahal | 160 | 586.5 | 205 | 4602 | 22.44 | 5/40 | 7.84 |
| 2 | Jasprit Bumrah | 133 | 508.5 | 165 | 3715 | 22.51 | 5/10 | 7.30 |
| 3 | Munaf Patel | 63 | 225.5 | 74 | 1698 | 22.94 | 5/21 | 7.51 |
| 4 | Sreenath Aravind | 38 | 126.4 | 45 | 1039 | 23.08 | 4/14 | 8.20 |
| 5 | Harshal Patel | 106 | 360.1 | 135 | 3149 | 23.32 | 5/27 | 8.74 |
| 6 | Anil Kumble | 42 | 160.5 | 45 | 1058 | 23.51 | 5/5 | 6.57 |
| 7 | Ashish Nehra | 88 | 318 | 106 | 2495 | 23.53 | 4/10 | 7.84 |
| 8 | Amit Mishra | 162 | 561.5 | 174 | 4145 | 23.82 | 5/17 | 7.37 |
| 9 | Varun Chakravarthy | 71 | 264.4 | 83 | 2002 | 24.12 | 5/20 | 7.56 |
| 10 | Mohit Sharma | 112 | 375.3 | 132 | 3256 | 24.66 | 5/10 | 8.67 |
As it is with most bowling records in IPL, Yuzvendra Chahal ranks at the top with the best bowling average in IPL for an Indian bowler. Chahal has picked up the most wickets in IPL at an average of 22.44. Jasprit Bumrah ranks second on this list for the best bowling average for an Indian bowler. Bumrah has picked up 165 wickets at an average of 22.51. He has the best bowling average for an Indian fast bowler. Veteran pacer, Munaf Patel ranks third on this list. Patel has picked up 74 wickets at an average of 22.94. Sreenath Aravind and Harshal Patel too make it into this list. The two medium pacers are ranked fourth and fifth respectively. Aravind picked up 45 wickets at an average of 23.08 while Patel has picked up 135 wickets at an average of 23.32.
FAQs
1. Who has the best bowling average in IPL history?
Lasith Malinga has the best bowling average in IPL history for a bowler with a minimum of 40 wickets. Malinga picked up 170 wickets at an average of 19.79.
2. Who is the No. 1 IPL bowler?
The number 1 IPL bowler is Yuzvendra Chahal. The Indian leg-spinner has picked up 205 wickets and is the only bowler with more than 200 wickets. What makes Chahal the best bowler in IPL is that for the most part of his career, he played at the Chinnaswamy Stadium which is the smallest stadium in the IPL.
3. What is the best bowling average?
The best bowling average in IPL is 19.79. It is the average of Lasith Malinga who picked up 170 wickets in his illustrious career. The Sri Lankan pacer has played a huge role in Mumbai Indians’ four titles.
4. Who has the best score in IPL bowling?
The best bowling figures are held by Alzarri Joseph who picked up six wickets while giving away only 12 runs in a match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. While the best among wicket-takers is Yuzvendra Chahal who is the only bowler to pick 200 wickets in the tournament’s history.
5. Who is the king of bowling?
There are many bowlers who are considered to be the king of bowling. James Anderson is considered to be the king of swing. The Englishman has picked up the most wickets in Test cricket history. Lasith Malinga is known as the king of the yorkers.
6. Who is the yorker king in IPL?
Lasith Malinga is the yorker king in IPL. The Sri Lankan pacer has a wide range of variations of yorkers. He can bowl a toe-crushing yorker at the stumps, wide yorkers as well as slow yorkers. Interestingly, he ended his IPL career with a yorker winning the title for Mumbai Indians in 2019.
7. Who is the best IPL player?
The best IPL player is Virat Kohli. Kohli has many records in the IPL to his name. The Indian batter has not only scored the most runs but also has the most runs in a season. While he has not been able to win the title, Kohli has been a great batter for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
8. Who has the best economy in IPL bowling?
Daniel Vettori has the best economy in IPL. The spinner from New Zealand bowled 106 overs at an economy of 6.56 RPO. The Kiwi spinner used his skills and control over lines and lengths to control the flow of runs.
9. Who has the best figures in IPL history?
Alzarri Joseph has the best bowling figures in IPL history. The West Indian bowler picked up six wickets while giving away 12 runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2019. Interestingly, Joseph was playing his first match when he broke the record.
10. Who has the most Purple Caps?
Dwayne Bravo, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harshal Patel have the most purple caps in the IPL. The three pacers are the only bowlers to win the purple cap twice in their IPL careers.
11. Who has the most wickets in IPL?
Yuzvendra Chahal has the most wickets in IPL. Chahal has 205 dismissals to his name in the tournament. The Indian leg spinner is the only bowler to pick 200 wickets in the tournament.
12. Who is the best spinner in IPL history?
Yuzvendra Chahal is the best spinner in IPL history. He has picked up 205 wickets in the tournament at an average of only 22.44. He also has a healthy strike rate of 17.17 which shows his efficiency.
13. Is 75 a good bowling average?
No, 75 is not a good bowling average. Having a bowling average of 75 means that a bowler is giving away 75 runs before picking any wickets. However, 75 is a great batting average.
14. Which bowler has the lowest average?
Lasith Malinga has the lowest average in IPL for any bowler with a minimum of 40 wickets. The Sri Lankan pacer picked up 170 wickets at an average of 19.79 in his prestigious IPL career.
15. Which bowler is best fielder in IPL history?
Ravindra Jadeja is the best fielder in IPL history among bowlers. Jadeja has taken some of the best catches in his career, he has a great aim for the stumps and often hits the stumps even when fielding in the deep.
