IPL 2022: Top 5 Bowlers with most wickets in the first over

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is entering its 15th edition this summer, as fans have been treated to some unforgettable moments in the past decade and a half. The competition pits some of the finest global talents against each other over the course of six-eight weeks. Now, IPL 2022 has given their fans more reasons to cheer, as the tournament will feature two new franchises, apart from the existing eight teams.

In T20 Cricket, the first over of the innings remains one of the most important phases of the game. The batters want to get off the blocks quickly, exerting pressure on the bowlers, before the field spreads out after six overs. On the other hand, the bowlers want to utilize the new ball with effect and pick up some early wickets to catch the opposition off-guard.

We have seen several quality new ball bowlers in the IPL over the years, who have dominated the batters in the first over. In this article, we will have a look at top five active bowlers with most wickets in the first over in IPL.

5) Tim Southee – 8 wickets 

Tim Southee has certainly not performed to his true potential in the IPL. The Kiwi pacer has competed in just 43 IPL games in the last 10 years, picking up 31 wickets at an unimpressive average of 44.8. However, one aspect of his bowling which has come to light in the IPL, is his performance with the new ball.

The 33-year-old veteran pacer has picked up eight wickets in the first over of an innings, which makes him stand fifth on the list. For the matter of fact, Tim Southee has been pretty economical in the first over, conceding just 6.48 runs on average. The New Zealand pacer is a new-ball specialist, given his ability to swing the ball both ways. He has conceded 188 runs in the first over, which includes 21 boundaries and 3 maximums.

4) Deepak Chahar – 10 wickets 

Deepak Chahar rose to prominence in the IPL in the 2018 campaign, where MS Dhoni entrusted the youngster with the new ball. There was no looking back for Chahar, as he repaid his captain’s faith in him, and  has become a mainstay in the Chennai Super Kings side since the last four seasons.

Deepak Chahar generally bowls about three overs in the powerplay overs, as he is most effective with the new ball. The 29-year-old pacer has picked up 10 wickets in the first over of an innings, at an average of 39.90, and an economy rate of 6.76. Moreover, the Indian pacer has bowled 204 dot balls, which roughly amounts to 60% of the deliveries in the first over. Overall, the talented pacer 59 wickets in 63 matches at an average 29.20.

3) Trent Boult- 10 wickets 

Trent Boult is one of the best left-arm fast bowlers we have seen in the past decade. The Kiwi pacer causes massive troubles to opening batters in first few overs, with his lethal in-swing and precarious angle. Similarly, like Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult has also managed to pick up 10 wickets in the first over of an innings, but he has managed to do in fewer innings than his counterpart.

Trent Boult concedes just about 5.65 runs on average in the first over, which prevents the opening batters from getting off the blocks quickly. The Rajasthan Royals pacer previously lifted the title with Mumbai Indians back in the 2020 season, when he formed a deadly duo with Jasprit Bumrah. He has picked 76 wickets in 62 IPL matches, which means he averages more than a wicket per game.

2)  Sandeep Sharma- 13 wickets 

Sandeep Sharma is undoubtedly one of the better bowlers with the new ball, given his ability to extract massive swing. A certain achievement in the pacer’s career is that he holds the record for dismissing Virat Kohli on most occasions in IPL. Ahead of the 2022 edition, Sandeep Sharma returned to his former franchise, Punjab Kings who picked him up in the mega auction.

Sandeep Sharma has 13 scalps to his name in the first over of IPL at an average of 28.92, and an economy rate of just 5.29. The 28-year-old pacer has picked up 112 wickets in 99 IPL outings at an average of 25.20. The former Sunrisers Hyderabad player’s best bowling figure in IPL came against Delhi Capitals in 2017, where he picked up four wickets, whilst conceding just 20 runs in four overs. He usually bowls most of his overs up top with the new ball, as his effectiveness reduces in the middle orders.

1)  Bhuvneshwar Kumar- 19 wickets 

When it comes to ranking some of the best bowlers in IPL history, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is right up there at the top. Although, he is not at the peak of his powers at the moment, yet the Indian pacer will be regarded as one of IPL all-time greats. The Sunrisers Hyderabad pacer has picked up 19 wickets in the first over, which is the most by any bowler in IPL so far.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has picked up 19 wickets at an average of just 22, and an economy of just 4.80, which is quite impressive even for a bowler of his caliber. Out of the 522 balls he has bowled in the first over, 344 of them have been dot deliveries. In 132 IPL matches, he has picked up 142 wickets, and is effective with both, the new ball and in the death overs.