Bowlers with the best economy rate in IPL are worth their weight in gold. The economy rate is basically how many runs a bowler concedes per over and the lower the number the better it is. In T20 cricket, economy rate is perhaps the most valuable aspect of bowling.
The Indian Premier League has witnessed some great bowlers over the years such as Lasith Malinga, Dale Steyn, Sunil Narine, Rashid Khan and many more. Today we take a look at the bowlers who have been hard to score runs against in the IPL.
Leading wicket-taker of each IPL team
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Bowlers with the best economy rate in IPL
The below list contains seven spinners and only three pacers. One of the reasons for that is spinners generally operate in middle overs while pacers mostly bowl in the powerplay and death overs.
Check out the top 10 bowlers with the best economy rate in IPL as of April 23, 2024, with a filter of minimum 75 wickets.
| Bowler | Matches | Overs | Wickets | Economy rate |
| Rashid Khan | 117 | 462.5 | 147 | 6.70 |
| Sunil Narine | 169 | 652.1 | 172 | 6.74 |
| Dale Steyn | 95 | 362.4 | 97 | 6.91 |
| Harbhajan Singh | 163 | 569.2 | 150 | 7.07 |
| Ravichandran Ashwin | 204 | 726 | 172 | 7.08 |
| Lasith Malinga | 122 | 471.1 | 170 | 7.14 |
| Axar Patel | 144 | 500.3 | 118 | 7.21 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 128 | 489 | 158 | 7.32 |
| Krunal Pandya | 121 | 341.4 | 75 | 7.33 |
| Amit Mishra | 161 | 559.5 | 173 | 7.36 |
Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan has been the best spinner in T20 cricket for years and he continues to be feared by opposition batters. The Afghanistan star sits at the top of the list of bowlers with the best economy rate in IPL. Rashid Khan started his IPL career in 2017 at Sunrisers Hyderabad and moved to Gujarat Titans in 2022.
Rashid has played 117 games in the IPL, picking 147 wickets at an exceptional economy rate of 6.70. The fast leg-spinner has bowled 462.5 overs in the IPL so far. For his first six consecutive seasons, Rashid’s tournament economy did non cross 6.80. In the IPL 2020, Rashid picked 20 wickets at a ridiculous economy rate of 5.38.
Sunil Narine
Sunil Narine is not far behind when it comes to the most economical bowler in the history of the Indian Premier League. The mystery spinner has a career economy of 6.74 in the IPL after playing 169 matches and bowling 652.1 overs. His longevity makes this a remarkable feat.
Narine joined Kolkata Knight Riders in 2012 and has played for only one franchise. He has taken 172 wickets and he doesn't have a single season with an economy rate of 8 or more. 2012-14 were his peak years, where he snared 67 wickets at an economy rate of 5.78 as KKR won the title twice.
Dale Steyn
Dale Steyn is third on the list of bowlers with the best economy rate in IPL. Among pace bowlers, he remains at the top. One of the greatest pacers in the history of the game, Steyn made his mark in the IPL as well. Getting through him with the new ball in his hand was a big challenge for batters.
Steyn played 95 matches in the IPL for four different franchises and picked 97 wickets at an economy of 6.91. He delivered his best IPL season for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2013, where he claimed 19 wickets at an economy rate of just 5.66.
Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh was one of the best defensive bowlers the league has seen. For a finger spinner, he had an outstanding IPL career, especially considering he played most of his matches at Wankhede stadium for Mumbai Indians. He played 163 matches in the IPL, picking 150 wickets at an economy of 7.07.
Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin started with Chennai Super Kings and he continues to be effective, currently playing for Rajasthan Royals. The off-spin bowler occupies fifth spot in the club of bowlers with the best economy rate in IPL. Ashwin has played 204 matches as of 23rd April and has picked 172 wickets at an economy of 7.08.
Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga might be the top two greatest pacers in the IPL. The Mumbai Indians legend was a major challenge for batters with his slingy action and pinpoint yorkers. He was a huge part of MI’s success, picking 170 wickets from just 122 matches at an economy rate of 7.14. Malinga’s best IPL season came in 2011, where he snared 28 wickets from 16 games at a ridiculous economy of 5.95.
Axar Patel
Axar Patel is one of the best defensive bowlers of his generation. The left-arm orthodox spinner is seventh on the list of bowlers with the best economy rate in IPL. Axar, who has represented Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals, has played 144 matches in the IPL and has claimed 118 wickets at an economy of 7.21.
Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah could claim to be the greatest pacer in the history of the league. In an era where power-hitting has evolved immensely, Bumrah continues to be a tough challenge for batters. He has played 128 games for Mumbai Indians and has taken 158 wickets at an economy of 7.28. In IPL 2020, he picked 27 scalps from 15 games at 6.73 rpo. In the ongoing season he has an economy of 6 37 and he's the only bowler to be below 7 rpo amongst those who have bowled minimum 15 overs.
Krunal Pandya
Krunal Pandya is one of the smartest operators of the ball and it is no surprise he is amongst the bowlers with the best economy rate in IPL. The left-arm orthodox spinner has a career economy of 7.33 after 121 games in the IPL. He has picked 75 wickets, playing for Mumbai Indians and then Lucknow Super Giants.
Amit Mishra
The veteran leg-break bowler Amit Mishra is the 10th most economical bowler in the IPL. He has played for four different franchises and has done well more often than not. Mishra has played 161 matches in the league and has snared 173 wickets at an economy of 7.36.
