Best Bowling Average in IPL

The bowling average is one of the best indicators of a bowler's abilities. It combines two of the most important bowling factors - wickets and economy-rate. In T20s, a bowler is considered exceptional even if he manages to take wickets consistently or bowl economical spells.

It is not very easy for the bowlers to make an impact regularly in the shortest format of the game. With the rules slightly tilted in the favour of the batsmen, the bowlers usually struggle to make a big impact consistently. With only four overs to bowl in a match, it is not easy for them to take wickets regularly.

The rules and conditions also make it extremely difficult for the bowlers to control the flow of the runs. So, it is not wrong to say that a bowler needs to be exceptional to maintain a good bowling average. For those who don't know, the bowling average represents the number of runs conceded per wicket taken.

To maintain a good bowling average, a bowler not only needs to take wickets regularly but also needs to maintain a good economy rate.

Doing well with the ball in IPL has to be one of the toughest challenges for the bowlers in modern-day cricket. They are not only up against the best batsmen of the world but also get very little assistance from the conditions.

The flat pitches, fielding restrictions, highly-skilled batsmen, as well as the rules make it extremely difficult for the bowlers to perform well. However, several bowlers have shown that one can excel even in IPL with the right approach. Apart from relying on pace or spin, the bowlers have also come up with several variations to make life difficult for the batsmen.

The bowlers have not only taken wickets regularly but have done it while conceding minimal runs. These kinds of bowlers usually play a decisive role in the match and their performance often decides the fate of the game.

In the first season of the IPL, that is in 2008, Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan had the best bowling average among bowlers who delivered at least one over. Playing for Delhi Capitals, he picked up 3 wickets in the only over he bowled in IPL 2008.

Dilshan was followed by former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar. Plying his trade for Kolkata Knight Riders, Akhtar picked up 5 wickets while conceding 54 runs in three games. Among bowlers who delivered more than 25 overs, Pakistan's Sohail Tanvir was the standout performer.

The former Rajasthan Royals pacer had a stunning average of 12.09 while bowling 41.1 overs in the inaugural IPL season. He had picked up 22 wickets while maintaining an economy rate of less than 7.

In the last season, Tristan Stubbs had the best bowling average in the IPL among the bowlers who bowled at least 2 overs. Playing for Delhi Capitals, the South Africa star had an average of 5 as he picked up 3 wickets while conceding 15 runs in 2 overs.

Among bowlers who delivered more than 50 overs, Mumbai Indians' Jasprit Bumrah had the best bowling average in IPL 2024. While Mumbai failed to impress, Bumrah remained a standout performer for the team throughout the season. The right-arm pacer picked up 20 wickets while maintaining an economy rate of less than 7.

In IPL 2023, Mark Wood had maintained a stunning bowling average. He picked wickets at an average of less than 12. The England pacer picked up 11 wickets while conceding only 130 runs in 16 overs. He was followed by Mohit Sharma who had a bowling average of 13.37.