T20 might be the batter’s game but it’s the bowlers who win you championships. Even in the age of raining sixes, crucial breakthroughs in the middle are the actual match-defining moments. With the IPL coming soon, let’s look at the top 10 Bowlers with Best Bowling Average in the Indian Premier League.
The List of 10 Bowlers with Best Bowling Average in IPL
10. Anrich Nortje
In the past 2 editions of the IPL, Nortje has emerged as one of the leading speedsters in the shortest format of the game. Even on tracks where pacers have little to assist them, batters struggle to combat Nortje’s raw pace. With 34 wickets in just 24 matches, his records will only get better in upcoming seasons of the T20 extravaganza.
9. Kagiso Rabada
Rabada is arguably the best pacer of his generation. The Proteas quick aptly carries the legacy of Allan Donalds and Dale Steyns forward, with his toe-crushing yorkers and deadly bouncers. With enriching experience of international cricket and the exceptional caliber of a fast bowler, Rabada is a protege for his team in the most critical situations. The Purple Cap winner of IPL13 will now don the colors of PBKS in IPL15.
8. Mitchell Starc
The fiery left-arm fast bowler from Australia is dearly missed by fans in the IPL. He featured in only 2 seasons(2014-15) for RCB and was Kohli’s trusted commander with the ball. At a stellar average of 20.38, Starc crushed batters with his treatment of chin music and clicked 150kmph more often than not.
7. Lasith Malinga
The highest wicket-taker in the history of the IPL, Slinga Malinga could instill fear in the eyes of batters with the ball in hand. His unfathomable round-arm action and his bulls-eye accuracy with the yorker were his aces in the hole and no batter of his time could boss over him. Perhaps, the greatest T20 bowler of all time, Malinga has the best bowling average by any bowler who played more than 50 matches in IPL.
Read Also: Top Five All-time Best Bowling Figures in IPL History
6. Chaminda Vaas
Vaas was in the twilight phase of his career when the IPL began. However old the lion gets, he never forgets to hunt. The swing king of Sri Lanka was the frontline seamer of the Deccan Chargers and was instrumental in the franchise’s maiden IPL title in 2009.
5. Farveez Maharoof
Maharoof in the company of Glenn McGrath and Mohammad Asif bolstered the bowling unit of Delhi Daredevils in the initial seasons of the IPL. A dependable all-rounder, Maharoof mastered the art of swinging the new ball and was a specialist in bowling in the powerplay. In 20 matches, he picked up 27 scalps with the best figures of 3/34.
4. Dimitri Mascarenhas
The first England player to join the IPL, Mascarenhas was a sensation in the shorter formats of the game. An agile fielder, incredible power-hitter, and a bona fide wicket-taker –Mascarenhas was a man with a golden arm. Unfortunately, he had a brief stint in IPL as a serious Achilles injury served a major setback to his career.
Read Also: List of All the Purple Cap Winners in IPL history
3. Doug Bollinger
Doug Bollinger is probably amongst the most underrated pacers of the IPL. He was one of the unsung heroes of CSK’s title-winning campaigns in 2010 and 2012. Doug the Rug, was MSD’s premier fast bowler in the powerplay and death overs. His records speak highly of his potential which shows why he is amongst the Top 3 Bowlers with Best Bowling Average in IPL.
2. Lungi Ngidi
Another Proteas quick who is en-route to be one of the world’s greatest fast bowlers is Lungi Ngidi. At the time CSK signed Ngidi, pundits had predicted that the team lacks a fiery pace department. However, the young colt delivered several match-winning spells and eventually became a big reason behind CSK’s journey to lift their 3rd IPL Trophy. His forte of taking key wickets and a staggering strike rate of 12.9, Ngidi has a lot yet to deliver.
1. Adam Zampa
Surprisingly enough, Adam Zampa went unsold in the mega auctions of IPL 2022. Australia’s go-to spinner in the limited-overs format, Zampa is amongst the top 3 leg-spinners of modern-day cricket. Even in the few opportunities, he got in previous seasons of IPL, Zampa left his mark as a wicket-taker yet economical spinner. With 21 dismissals in just 14 matches, the Aussie leads the chart of bowlers with the best bowling average in IPL.
Top 10 Bowlers with The Best Bowling Average in IPL
| Players | Teams | Span | Matches | Wickets | Average | Best Figures |
| Adam Zampa | RPS, RCB | 2016-20 | 14 | 21 | 17.61 | 6/19 |
| Lungi Ngidi | CSK | 2018-21 | 14 | 25 | 17.92 | 4/10 |
| Doug Bollinger | CSK | 2010-12 | 27 | 37 | 18.72 | 4/13 |
| Dimitri Mascarenhas | KXIP,RR | 2008-13 | 13 | 19 | 18.73 | 5/25 |
| Farveez Maharoof | DD | 2008-10 | 20 | 27 | 19.25 | 3/34 |
| Chaminda Vaas | DC | 2008-10 | 13 | 19 | 19.72 | 3/21 |
| Lasith Malinga | MI | 2009-19 | 122 | 170 | 19.79 | 5/13 |
| Mitchell Starc | RCB | 2014-15 | 27 | 34 | 20.38 | 4/15 |
| Kagiso Rabada | DC | 2017-21 | 50 | 76 | 20.52 | 4/21 |
| Anrich Nortje | DC | 2020-21 | 24 | 34 | 20.55 | 3/33 |
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