In T20 cricket, a bowler who keeps the run rate down is worth as much as one who takes wickets. The IPL has produced some remarkably tight bowlers, from Sunil Narine and Lasith Malinga to Rashid Khan and Jasprit Bumrah. This page lists the bowlers with the best career economy rate in IPL history among those with at least 75 wickets, based on ESPNcricinfo records after IPL 2026.
Best economy rate in IPL history (minimum 75 wickets)
Economy rate = runs conceded per over. BBI = best bowling figures in an innings.
| # | Bowler | IPL teams | Span | Matches | Overs | Wickets | Economy | BBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunil Narine | KKR | 2012-2026 | 202 | 775.1 | 207 | 6.78 | 5/19 |
| 2 | Dale Steyn | DC, Gujarat Lions, RCB, SRH | 2008-2020 | 95 | 362.4 | 97 | 6.91 | 3/8 |
| 3 | Harbhajan Singh | CSK, KKR, MI | 2008-2021 | 163 | 569.2 | 150 | 7.07 | 5/18 |
| 4 | Lasith Malinga | MI | 2009-2019 | 122 | 471.1 | 170 | 7.14 | 5/13 |
| 5 | Ravichandran Ashwin | CSK, DC, PBKS, RPS, RR | 2009-2025 | 221 | 785.0 | 187 | 7.20 | 4/34 |
| 6 | Rashid Khan | GT, SRH | 2017-2026 | 153 | 588.2 | 179 | 7.27 | 4/24 |
| 7 | Jasprit Bumrah | MI | 2013-2026 | 158 | 605.1 | 187 | 7.33 | 5/10 |
| 8 | Pragyan Ojha | Deccan Chargers, MI | 2008-2015 | 92 | 316.3 | 89 | 7.36 | 3/11 |
| 9 | Amit Mishra | DC, Deccan Chargers, LSG, SRH | 2008-2024 | 162 | 561.5 | 174 | 7.37 | 5/17 |
| 10 | Axar Patel | DC, PBKS | 2014-2026 | 176 | 594.3 | 139 | 7.41 | 4/21 |
| 11 | Krunal Pandya | LSG, MI, RCB | 2016-2026 | 158 | 450.1 | 107 | 7.57 | 4/45 |
| 12 | Zaheer Khan | DC, MI, RCB | 2008-2017 | 100 | 366.4 | 102 | 7.58 | 4/17 |
| 13 | Morne Morkel | DC, KKR, RR | 2009-2016 | 70 | 271.3 | 77 | 7.69 | 4/20 |
| 14 | Ravindra Jadeja | CSK, Gujarat Lions, Kochi, RR | 2008-2026 | 268 | 709.0 | 180 | 7.70 | 5/16 |
| 15 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Pune Warriors, RCB, SRH | 2011-2026 | 206 | 766.4 | 226 | 7.71 | 5/19 |
| 16 | Varun Chakravarthy | KKR, PBKS | 2019-2026 | 95 | 355.4 | 111 | 7.71 | 5/20 |
The top ten contains seven spinners (Narine, Harbhajan, Ashwin, Rashid, Ojha, Mishra and Axar) and three fast bowlers (Steyn, Malinga and Bumrah). Spinners usually bowl in the middle overs, while pacers carry the powerplay and the death overs, where runs come faster.
The leaders
Sunil Narine (6.78)
Sunil Narine has spent his entire IPL career at Kolkata Knight Riders since 2012. After 202 matches and 775.1 overs, one of the heaviest workloads in IPL history, he still concedes only 6.78 runs per over, with 207 wickets. That longevity, through the high-scoring seasons of 2024-2026, is what puts him at the top.
Dale Steyn (6.91)
Steyn remains the most economical fast bowler in IPL history among those with 75 wickets: 97 wickets in 95 matches for four franchises at 6.91 an over, a remarkable figure for a new-ball bowler.
Harbhajan Singh (7.07) and Lasith Malinga (7.14)
Harbhajan took 150 wickets in 163 matches, most of them at the Wankhede Stadium for Mumbai Indians. Malinga, also a Mumbai Indians legend, combined economy and wicket-taking: 170 wickets in 122 matches at an average of 19.79, the best average in this list.
Ravichandran Ashwin (7.20) and Rashid Khan (7.27)
Ashwin finished his IPL career in 2025 with 187 wickets in 221 matches. Rashid Khan, at Sunrisers Hyderabad and then Gujarat Titans since 2022, has 179 wickets at 7.27.
Jasprit Bumrah (7.33)
Bumrah is the best active fast bowler on the list: 187 wickets in 158 matches for Mumbai Indians, with best figures of 5/10, while bowling a large share of his overs at the death.
Below the 75-wicket mark
With a lower qualification, two legendary spinners would lead the list: Anil Kumble conceded 6.57 runs per over for RCB (45 wickets, 2008-2010) and Muttiah Muralidaran 6.67 (63 wickets, 2008-2014). Neither reached 75 wickets, so they are not ranked here.
FAQ
Who has the best economy rate in IPL history?
Among bowlers with at least 75 wickets, Sunil Narine (6.78), ahead of Dale Steyn (6.91) and Harbhajan Singh (7.07), according to ESPNcricinfo.
Which fast bowler has the best economy rate in the IPL?
Dale Steyn (6.91). Among active pacers, Jasprit Bumrah is the best with 7.33.
Which Indian bowler has the best IPL economy rate?
Harbhajan Singh (7.07), followed by Ravichandran Ashwin (7.20) and Jasprit Bumrah (7.33).
Source: ESPNcricinfo IPL records (best career economy rate), after IPL 2026.
