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The ever-evolving landscape of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is witnessing a clear shift in balance, with batters increasingly dominating the narrative while bowlers are being put to the sword.
Batters taking center stage in IPL as bowlers struggle under the onslaught
This trend was glaringly evident during the recent clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Hyderabad, where even a seasoned campaigner like Mohammed Shami endured a torrid outing. Shami conceded a staggering 75 runs in his four overs, narrowly missing out on the record for the most expensive spell in IPL history, held by Jofra Archer earlier this season. However, his figures still registered as the most expensive by an Indian bowler in the tournament’s history. The relentless hitting from batters showcased how even top-tier pacers are struggling to contain the firepower of modern-day T20 batting. With pitches becoming flatter, boundaries shorter, and batting line-ups deeper, the IPL is increasingly becoming a batters’ paradise – where the margin for error for bowlers is rapidly shrinking, and power-hitting is turning games on their heads within a matter of overs.
Top 5 most expensive spells in the IPL by an Indian bowler
5. Ishant Sharma – 0/66 vs Chennai Super Kings, IPL 2013
Back in 2013, Ishant Sharma, then leading the pace attack for SRH, had a tough day at the office against Chennai Super Kings at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. On a flat Hyderabad track offering little to no assistance for seamers, Ishant struggled to contain the CSK batting lineup. He was consistently off his lengths, and Chennai’s batters cashed in with ease. His yorkers often turned into low full tosses, and his short deliveries lacked the pace to trouble the likes of Suresh Raina and Michael Hussey. By the end of his four-over spell, Ishant had conceded 66 runs without taking a wicket, a performance that remained the most expensive by an Indian bowler for several years until others eclipsed it.
4. Yash Dayal – 0/69 vs Kolkata Knight Riders, IPL 2023
Yash Dayal will perhaps forever be remembered for one of the most dramatic final overs in IPL history, where he was on the receiving end of an unforgettable assault. Playing for the Gujarat Titans against the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2023, Dayal was tasked with defending 29 runs in the final over. His figures until then read 0 for 38, but what followed turned into a nightmare. Rinku Singh produced one of the greatest finishes in T20 cricket by smashing five consecutive sixes, all off Dayal. The left-arm pacer had no answers as Rinku’s clean hitting dismantled every plan. Dayal finished with figures of 0 for 69, his name etched into the history books for all the wrong reasons, despite showing glimpses of potential in earlier matches.
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3. Basil Thampi – 0/70 vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, IPL 2018
In IPL 2018, Basil Thampi had a disastrous outing at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru while playing for SRH against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The RCB batters were in a punishing mood, and Thampi’s spell turned into a relentless run-fest. Moeen Ali gave him a harsh welcome by hitting back-to-back sixes, setting the tone for the rest of the innings. What followed was a merciless display of power-hitting by AB de Villiers, Colin de Grandhomme and Sarfaraz Khan, who collectively took Thampi to the cleaners. The bowler was smashed for five fours and six sixes across his four overs, ending with figures of 0 for 70. Despite showing promise earlier in the tournament, this performance severely dented Thampi’s confidence and remains one of the worst bowling spells in IPL history by an Indian.
2. Mohit Sharma – 0/73 vs Delhi Capitals, IPL 2024
Mohit Sharma, once a Purple Cap winner and a reliable death-over-bowler, endured a nightmare spell in the IPL 2024 match between the Titans and the Delhi Capitals. Introduced into the attack in the 12th over, he was immediately under pressure as Rishabh Pant took him on. Pant’s assault only intensified as the innings progressed. In the final over of the innings, Mohit had the unenviable task of bowling to a well-set Pant, who launched a brutal onslaught. The southpaw smashed Mohit for a four sixes and a four in a single over, rendering the bowler helpless. By the end of the match, Mohit had given away 73 runs in just four overs, marking what was then the most expensive bowling spell in IPL history until Shami surpassed it a year later.
1. Mohammed Shami – 0/75 vs Punjab Kings, IPL 2025
In what turned out to be a forgettable outing for Shami, the seasoned Indian pacer endured the most expensive bowling spell by an Indian in IPL history. Playing for SRH against PBKS in Hyderabad, Shami was targeted from the very start. Prabhsimran Singh took the attack to him in his opening over, striking three consecutive boundaries. If that wasn’t enough, young Priyansh Arya took him apart in the third over with two sixes and a four, and then finished the over with another towering six over midwicket. Shami struggled to recover and conceded 11 runs in his third over.
However, the worst was yet to come. Bowling the final over of the innings with hopes of damage control, he was smashed for four sixes by Marcus Stoinis on the leg side. By the end of the innings, Shami had conceded 75 runs in his four overs, narrowly missing the most expensive figures in IPL history overall by a single run, but still setting the unwanted record for the costliest spell by an Indian bowler in the tournament’s history.
