Who Has The Best Bowling Average In IPL?

Heavy bats and smaller boundaries have heavily tilted the T20 format in favor of the batsman. However, the line ” Batsman wins you matches, bowlers win you tournaments” has proved to be true in all IPL seasons. Bowlers play an integral role in the success of the IPL teams.

It is important for bowlers to take wickets at regular intervals and break the partnerships. Picking a wicket automatically lowers the run rate of the opposition team. Bowling average is one of the key metrics to decide the greatness of a bowler in T20 cricket.

Here in this article, we will discuss the bowlers with the best bowling averages in the history of IPL.

Top 3 bowlers with the best bowling average in IPL

Bowling Average is calculated after dividing the total runs conceded by the number of wickets taken by the bowler. It is defined as the number of runs conceded per wicket taken.

However, before jumping to the list, we need to put a filter of a minimum of 1000 balls bowled in IPL so that the bowlers who have less sample size are filtered out.

1. Lasith Malinga – ( Average – 19.80)

Lasith Malinga needs no introduction when it comes to the Indian Premier League and T20 cricket. Malinga is hailed as the greatest T20 pacer of all time. He also enjoys a rich legacy in the IPL.

The veteran Srilankan pacer has a bowling average of 19.80 in IPL, which is the best among all bowlers who have bowled a minimum of 1000 balls in the history of the Indian Premier League.

Lasith Malinga has grabbed 170 wickets in IPL at a fascinating economy rate of 7.14. Malinga achieved mastery in the ability to take frequent wickets as well as concede runs at a low economy rate. He played 9 IPL seasons and had a bowling average of less than 25 in 7 of those IPL seasons.

The Srilankan pacer represented Mumbai Indians throughout his IPL career and played a crucial role in making Mumbai Indians the most successful IPL team.

Read more: How Many Players Have Taken a Hat-trick in the History of the IPL

2. Kagiso Rabada- ( Average – 19.86)

Kagiso Rabada has the sheer ability to terrorize batsmen with his raw pace and hard lengths. Express pacers are worth the gold in IPL because domestic batsmen are not well capable to play express pace bowlers.

Rabada has picked up 99 wickets in 63 innings in IPL at a brilliant bowling average of 19.86. He is a serious competitor to top the list of best bowling averages in the future.

Kagiso Rabada is a big X factor in T20 cricket because he has a habit of giving crucial breakthroughs to his team. Kagiso also holds the record for the best bowling strike rate (14.42) and most four-wicket hauls (6) in the IPL.

The Proteas pacer is currently representing Punjab Kings in the IPL. Earlier, he was also an integral part of the Delhi Capitals bowling attack.

3. Imran Tahir – ( Average – 20.77)

Imran Tahir is a veteran T20 spinner who entangled several batsmen in the IPL with his art of leg spin. Leg spinners have always been wicket-taking options in T20 cricket. Tahir has picked 82 wickets in IPL at an outstanding bowling average of 20.77.

The South African leg spinner has not yet given up at the age of 42 and is trying his best to get a chance in the playing XI.

Tahir was the mainstay of the Chennai Super Kings bowling attack over the years. Imran has also represented Delhi Daredevils and Rising Pune Supergiants in IPL. Imran Tahir was also the purple cap holder in the IPL 2019 season, where he picked 26 wickets in a single IPL season.

List of the Top 10 bowlers with the best bowling average (min 1000 balls)

Conclusion

The list is dominated by leg spinners and pacers who frequently bowl in death overs. Kagiso Rabada has a great opportunity to surpass Lasith Malinga on this list. Jasprit Bumrah, Rashid Khan, and Lasith Malinga are the standout bowlers who have maintained great economy rates as well as bowling averages. Picking wickets still hold its previous value in the shortest format of the game. Teams have realized that breaking partnerships in T20 cricket is as important as conceding runs at a low economy rate.

FAQs

1. Which is the current team of Yuzvendra Chahal in the IPL?

Ans: Yuzvendra Chahal is currently representing Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.

2. Who is the current captain of Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL?

Ans: Shreyas Iyer is the current captain of KKR.

3. What is the current team of Rashid Khan in the IPL?

Ans: Rashid Khan is currently representing Gujarat Titans in the IPL.

4. Who is the leading wicket-taker in the IPL?

And: Dwayne Bravo is the highest wicket-taker in the IPL.