Bowlers are always on their toes in the IPL playoffs. One bad delivery and the whole campaign turns into a disaster.
So there’s immense pressure on bowlers to keep things tight. And to perform under such pressure is not easy.
But a few bowlers turned pressure into power to deliver the best bowling performances.
This article will list the top five best bowling figures registered in the IPL playoffs.
5. Jasprit Bumrah (MI): 4/14 vs DC, 2020
When you have a bowler like Jasprit Bumrah in your arsenal, you just chill. Give him the ball and let him do his work.
Bumrah made his captain’s work light in the 2020 Qualifier 1 match. With 201 runs to chase, Delhi Capitals (DC) had a big task on their hands.
But they couldn’t get the desired start, all thanks to double strikes from Trent Boult and Bumrah. While Boult opened the account, Bumrah made quick inroads.
He dismissed Shikhar Dhawan and Shreyas Iyer in the powerplay. Bumrah then returned in the death overs to remove a set Marcus Stoinis and Daniel Sams.
The right-arm pacer ended up with 4 for 14 to push Mumbai Indians (MI) closer to their fifth trophy.
4. Dhawal Kulkarni (Gujarat Lions): 4/14 vs RCB, 2016
Delivering your career-best spell against the likes of Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul is no less than a dream. Not many can bring it to reality.
But Dhawal Kulkarni lived the dream in the 2016 Qualifier 1. He dismissed these established batters to produce his career-best figures in the IPL.
Gujarat Lions had put up 158 runs. The total wasn’t big on a batter-friendly Bengaluru pitch. So they needed early breakthroughs.
And that’s what Kulkarni delivered. He sent Kohli, Gayle, Rahul, and Sachin Baby packing in the powerplay to give Lions a chance.
But Kulkarni’s efforts went in vain as AB de Villiers dashed through the target with his unbeaten 79-run knock.
3. Doug Bollinger (CSK): 4/13 vs Deccan Chargers, 2010
With just 143 runs to defend, you would be on your toes. But Doug Bollinger? He transferred the pressure to the opponent batters.
Bollinger had a great outing for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 2010 semi-final. He drew the first blood with Adam Gilchrist’s dismissal. Then followed another wicket four balls later to leave Deccan gasping in the powerplay.
Bollinger returned in the 18th over to end Deccan’s all hopes. He added two more wickets to finish with 4 for 13.
2. Mohit Sharma (GT): 5/10 vs MI, 2023
One season, you are a net bowler, and the next season, you are the top performer for your team. How does it feel? Right at the top of the world, isn’t it?
Mohit Sharma, perhaps, felt the same after experiencing it himself. The right-arm seamer had a ball in IPL 2023. And his best came in Qualifier 2 against MI.
Gujarat Titans (GT) batters had done their job, posting 233 runs. And Mohit did the rest with finesse.
MI looked threatening till the 14th over. But then Mohit came into attack and dismissed a well-settled Suryakumar Yadav.
That dismissal changed the momentum, and Mohit picked up four more wickets. He finished with 5 for 10 as GT cruised into the final.
1. Akash Madhwal (MI): 5/5 vs LSG, 2023
You are playing your first playoff match and straightaway bag a five-for. Feels almost unreal, doesn’t it?
But Akash Madhwal did it first-hand in the 2023 Eliminator game. He pierced through Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) top and lower order.
The right-arm pacer got the better of LSG batters with his seam movements and yorkers. As a result, he ended up with the first five-for in the IPL playoffs. Madhwal’s 5 for 5 helped MI restrict LSG to 101 in defence of 182 runs.
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