Indian Premier League (IPL) is a very popular T20 cricket tournament that is majorly famous for its strong batting performances. However, we have also experienced many good bowling performances in the IPL where the batters struggled to score runs freely. Some great bowlers have participated in the IPL and dominated with their accurate bowling performances regularly. A low economy rate is known as the best economy rate as it means that the bowler is cheap in the matter of runs conceding.
Here is the list of the top five bowlers with the best economy rates in IPL history (at least bowled 100 overs):
*Updated as of IPL 2024
10. Harbhajan Singh
Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was one of the greatest Indian spinners of all time. He was not only a successful Indian cricketer but also one of the great bowlers in IPL history. The off-spinner picked up 150 wickets in 163 IPL matches. Harbhajan conceded 4030 runs in 569.2 overs which made his economy rate of 7.07.
9. Moeen Ali
England cricketer Moeen Ali has performed as a useful all-rounder in the IPL. As an off-spinner, Ali picked up 35 wickets in 67 matches but is one of the cheapest bowlers on this list. Conceding 893 runs in 126.2 overs, Ali secured a bowling economy rate of 7.06.
8. Rahul Sharma
Tall Indian leg-spinner Rahul Sharma is also in this list who picked up 40 wickets in 44 IPL matches. His IPL economy rate was 7.02 after conceding 1086 runs in 154.4 overs.
7. Johan Botha
South African off-spinner Johan Botha was popular in white-ball cricket, especially in the T20 format. In his 34 IPL matches, Botha picked up 25 wickets. However, he was one of the cheapest IPL bowlers who conceded 800 runs in 115.4 overs with an economy rate of 6.91.
6. Dale Steyn
Former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn was one of the greatest pacers. He also shined in the IPL where he took 97 wickets in 95 matches. He conceded 2508 runs in 362.4 overs in the IPL, which makes his bowling economy rate of 6.91.
5. Rashid Khan
Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan has always done wonders with his ball. One of the best spinners in the modern era Rashid Khan has a very good record in IPL bowling history. He has played 121 IPL matches and taken a total of 149 wickets. By conceding a total of 3252 runs from 476.3 overs, Rashid has managed a bowling economy of 6.82.
4. Daniel Vettori
Former New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori was one of the greatest left-arm spinners in international cricket history. He not only shined with his bowling magic in international cricket but in the IPL too. From 2008 to 2012, Vettori played 34 IPL matches, where the left-arm spinner took 28 wickets. In his IPL career, Vettori delivered 129.3 overs and conceded 879 runs, which made his economy rate in the IPL 6.78.
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3. Sunil Narine
Since his IPL debut in 2012, off-spinner Sunil Narine has played only for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and a significant role for his team. After playing 177 IPL matches, Narine has picked up 180 wickets, including one fifer. He has delivered 679.1 overs in the IPL and conceded 4571 runs with an economy rate of 6.73.
2. Muthiah Muralidaran
The former Sri Lankan off-spinner Muthiah Muralidaran is undoubtedly one of the best spinners in IPL history. From 2008 to 2014, the legendary off-spinner played 66 IPL matches, where he picked up 63 wickets. He delivered 254 overs and conceded 1696 runs, which made his bowling economy rate of 6.67.
1. Anil Kumble
Anil Kumble is undoubtedly one of the best spinners that India has ever produced. Playing only for the IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore (also known as Royal Challengers Bengaluru), Kumble appeared in 42 matches and picked up a total of 45 wickets. His personal best in the IPL was taking five wickets for five runs - one of the best bowling performances in T20 cricket. Conceding a total of 1058 runs in 160.5 overs, Kumble got a bowling economy rate of 6.57.
List of players with the best economy rate in IPL (minimum 100 overs):
Position | Player | Economy rate |
1 | Anil Kumble | 6.57 |
2 | Muthiah Muralidaran | 6.67 |
3 | Sunil Narine | 6.73 |
4 | Daniel Vettori | 6.78 |
5 | Rashid Khan | 6.82 |
6 | Dale Steyn | 6.91 |
7 | Johan Botha | 6.91 |
8 | Rohit Sharma | 7.02 |
9 | Moeen Ali | 7.06 |
10 | Harbhajan Singh | 7.07 |
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