Making a debut in a tournament like the Indian Premier League (IPL) is the stuff of dreams for any player.
And delivering a standout performance on that big day? That’s just the perfect start you would hope to get.
Plenty of players have walked into the league over the years. Not all of them get the start they hope for.
We often see batters stealing the spotlight on debut, but every now and then, a bowler arrives and flips the script.
In this article, we’ll list the five best bowling figures registered by bowlers on their IPL debuts.
5. Kevon Cooper (RR): 4/26 vs PBKS | 2012
Kevon Cooper isn’t the first name that comes up in IPL conversations. But on debut, he made sure people noticed.
Turning out for Rajasthan Royals (RR), the Trinidadian had an instant impact with the ball. He dismantled Kings XI Punjab’s top order with his three strikes.
The game was still open at that point, but those wickets put pressure on Punjab. Cooper came back later to add one more and finished with 4 for 26.
Thanks to Cooper’s contribution, RR defended 191 runs and beat Punjab by 31 runs.
4. Sakib Hussain (SRH): 4/24 vs RR | 2026
IPL debut as an impact player? Surely, there would be too many expectations. And Sakib Hussain didn’t disappoint at all.
The Royals were already three down on two. And then Hussain made it four down on two in the second over.
He then rocked back towards the fag end with three more wickets. And he closed out his debut with 4 for 24 and a big win for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
4. Ashwani Kumar (MI): 4/24 vs KKR | 2025
Not many debuts begin with a wicket off the first ball. But Ashwani Kumar? He did exactly that!
With only four T20 matches to his name, Mumbai Indians (MI) handed Ashwani his IPL debut against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
And he got going straightaway. One became two, then three. By the time he was done, he had 4 for 24 in just three overs.
Kolkata never quite recovered from that spell, getting all out on 116. MI later chased down the target with ease.
3. Shoaib Akhtar (KKR): 4/11 vs DC | 2008
Shoaib Akhtar always brought a bit of drama with the ball. And his IPL debut followed the same script.
Although he played only three IPL matches, his debut was nothing short of memorable.
The tearaway pacer went straight after Delhi Daredevils’ top order. Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, AB de Villiers, Manoj Tiwary. All back in the pavilion with only 28 runs on the board.
Those early jolts put Delhi on the back foot in the 134-run chase. And the result? KKR defended the target with 23 runs, all thanks to Akhtar’s 4 for 11.
Also Read | 5 Greatest India-Pakistan ODI Matches
2. Andrew Tye (GL): 5/17 vs RPSG | 2017
Andrew Tye arrived in the IPL with a reputation from the BBL. On debut, he lived up to it.
Tye struck early to break a crucial partnership. He then kept coming back. The middle order didn’t find a way through him. The lower order didn’t either. By the end, he had 5 for 17.
It was the first five-wicket haul on an IPL debut. A rare start, even in a league that has seen almost everything.
1. Alzarri Joseph (MI): 6/12 vs SRH | 2019
Taking even a wicket feels surreal on debut. But Alzarri Joseph? He ended up with six!
The West Indies bowler was on a roll on his IPL debut for MI in 2019. He ran through half of the SRH side. Two wickets with the new ball, then four more at the end when batters usually look to finish strong.
The right-arm pacer racked up six wickets for 12 runs. The best bowling figures on IPL debut.
What’s even more special? These are also the best bowling figures in the entire league!
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