While the T20 cricket league Indian Premier League (IPL) has experienced many batting dominations, we have also enjoyed some incredible bowling performances. Just like any cricket format, IPL captains play a special role for their team, but majorly as a batter, fielder, and skipper. It is not very common to see a dominant bowling performance by a captain in the IPL, which we have experienced rarely.
Here, we are going through the record for the top five bowling performances by IPL captains.
Shane Warne (Rajasthan Royals): 4-0-21-4 vs Deccan Chargers
During the Rajasthan Royals vs Deccan Chargers match in Nagpur in the IPL 2010, Royals captain Shane Warne delivered match-winning bowling figures of 4-0-21-4 to secure a two-run win. Warne played a major role in the victory as the leg-spinner led his bowling team to set a late batting collapse for the Deccan Chargers in the unsuccessful nervy chase. Captain Warne took the wickets of Anirudh Singh (9), Dwayne Smith (4), Azhar Bilakhia (2), and Ryan Harris (1).
JP Duminy (Delhi Daredevils): 3-0-17-4 vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
During the IPL 2015 match between Delhi Daredevils and Sunrisers Hyderabad in Visakhapatnam, Delhi captain JP Duminy had the bowling figures 3-0-17-4 after scoring a crucial 54 off 41 balls to help his team reach the total of 167/4 in 20 overs. The left-arm spinner picked up the big wickets of Shikhar Dhawan (18), skipper David Warner (28), Ravi Bopara (41), and Eoin Morgan (1), as Delhi won the match by four runs.
Anil Kumble (Royal Challengers Bangalore): 3.3-0-16-4 vs Deccan Chargers
During the IPL 2010 3rd place playoff, Royal Challengers Bangalore leg-spinner and skipper Anil Kumble had the bowling figures 3.3-0-16-4, as Deccan Chargers were bundled out for only 82 runs in the first innings. DC captain Adam Gilchrist (4), Dwayne Smith (5), Ryan Harris (3), and Pragyan Ojha (0) were the victims of Kumble.
Anil Kumble (Royal Challengers Bangalore): 4-0-16-4 vs Deccan Chargers
During the IPL 2009 Final, Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Anil Kumble recorded the bowling figures 4-0-16-4 against Deccan Chargers. He started with the new ball and dismissed Adam Gilchrist (0), Andrew Symonds (33), Rohit Sharma (24), and Venugopal Rao (0), as Deccan Chargers scored 143/6 in 20 overs in the first innings and successfully defended the total by winning it by six runs.
Hardik Pandya (Mumbai Indians): 4-0-36-5 vs Lucknow Super Giants
During the IPL 2025 match between the hosts Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians, MI captain Hardik Pandya created history by becoming the first captain in IPL history to record a five-wicket haul. LSG scored 203/8 in 20 overs, while the right-arm pacer Pandya had the bowling figure 4-0-36-5. He dismissed Nicholas Pooran (12), Rishabh Pant (2), and Aiden Markram (53) before dismissing David Miller (27) and Akash Deep (0) on back-to-back deliveries in the 20th over.
IPL Records: Best Bowling Figures by IPL Captains
Player (Team) | Bowling Figures | Opposition | Venue | Year |
Hardik Pandya (Mumbai Indians) | 4-0-36-5 | Lucknow Super Giants | Lucknow | 2025 |
Anil Kumble (Royal Challengers Bangalore) | 4-0-16-4 | Deccan Chargers | Johannesburg | 2009 |
Anil Kumble (Royal Challengers Bangalore) | 3.3-0-16-4 | Deccan Chargers | DY Patil | 2010 |
JP Duminy (Delhi Daredevils) | 3-0-17-4 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Visakhapatnam | 2015 |
Shane Warne (Rajasthan Royals) | 4-0-21-4 | Deccan Chargers | Nagpur | 2010 |