In the high-octane world of the Indian Premier League (IPL), where batsmen often rule supreme, bowlers occasionally find themselves in the eye of a storm. Moments where the bowlers were not just outplayed but were subjected to an onslaught that would be remembered for years to come. The IPL has always been a battleground where bowlers can either become heroes or find themselves on the wrong end of history.
Here’s a look at five instances where bowlers were subjected to some of the harshest treatments recorded in the IPL.
Mohit Sharma
Mohit Sharma, a seasoned Indian cricketer known for his right-arm medium pace, has had an illustrious T20 career with multiple teams. However, on 24 April 2024, while representing Gujarat Titans against Delhi Capitals, he encountered Rishabh Pant at his most destructive. After a relatively decent start, Sharma was brought back to bowl at the death, where Pant unleashed an assault, scoring 31 runs in the last over alone with four sixes. This barrage led Sharma to concede an unprecedented 73 runs in his four overs, marking the worst figures ever by a bowler in the IPL.
Basil Thampi
Basil Thampi, perhaps not as well-known as some of his peers, has played for various IPL teams including Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad. On 17 May 2018, playing for Hyderabad against Royal Challengers Bangalore, Thampi experienced his career’s lowest moment. The Bangalore batting lineup, featuring Moeen Ali, AB de Villiers, and Colin de Grandhomme, tore into his bowling, with Thampi conceding 18, 14, 19, and 19 runs in his four overs. His total of 70 runs with no wickets was, at the time, the most expensive spell in IPL history.
Yash Dayal
Yash Dayal’s name will forever be linked with one of the IPL’s most dramatic finishes. On 9 April 2023, playing for Gujarat Titans against Kolkata Knight Riders, Dayal seemed to have the match under control until the final over. With KKR needing 29 off the last 6 balls, Dayal had bowled well up to that point. However, Rinku Singh’s unprecedented feat of hitting five consecutive sixes turned the match around, leaving Dayal with figures of 4-0-69-0, a testament to both his misfortune and Rinku’s brilliance.
Reece Topley
In a match that saw an extraordinary total of 549 runs, Reece Topley, opening the bowling for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Sunrisers Hyderabad, faced a formidable batting order. On 15 April 2024, Topley’s spell was a rollercoaster; starting with 20 runs off his first over, followed by a somewhat redeeming 11-run over with a wicket. However, his figures escalated as Abdul Samad took him for 25 runs in the penultimate over, ending with 68 runs for one wicket, tying for the fourth most expensive spell in IPL history.
Luke Wood
England’s Luke Wood, playing for Mumbai Indians against Delhi Capitals on 27 April 2024, experienced a batting onslaught at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. His spell started disastrously, conceding 19 runs in his first over, largely due to Jake Fraser-McGurk’s aggressive start. After a relatively contained middle over, Wood’s return to bowl the 18th over resulted in a nightmare, with Tristan Stubbs hitting him for 26 runs, including four boundaries and a six, leaving Wood with figures of 4-0-68-1, matching Topley’s record for the fourth most expensive spell in IPL history.
The Aftermath
These spells are etched in IPL lore not just for their numbers but for the narratives they created. For these bowlers, these matches were lessons in resilience, strategy, and the unpredictable nature of cricket. For the fans, they provided moments of sheer disbelief and excitement.
Looking Forward
While these bowlers might prefer to forget these days, their performances remind us of the IPL’s capacity for drama and the fine margins that define cricket. As the IPL continues to evolve, these records might be challenged, but the stories of these bowlers’ struggles will remain part of the league’s rich history.
