Ranking top 5 pacers in IPL history

IPL is considered as the most famous T20 league in world cricket right now. It has impacted the lives of cricket players to a great extent and has been an interesting affair for fans as well. The fancy T20 league created buzz right from its start from the very first season.

With the changing time, strategies of teams have also changed on what the team composition should be, and which players can fit in the eleven. One thing that all teams have understood is the importance of bowlers in winning the tournament. Over the years, it has been seen that teams having a good set of bowlers usually perform well. Among the bowlers, the pacers contain a major part who do a hard job of bowling in powerplay and death overs. 

Ranking top 5 pacers of IPL History

5. Dale Steyn

Dale Steyn has been one of the most economical pacer of IPL History. He started his career in cash rich league in 2008 with Royal Challengers Bangalore, and was their spearhead of pace attack for first three years.  Later on he played for Deccan Chargers Hyderabad, and performed consistently with the ball for them as well.

In his IPL career, Dale Steyn has taken 97 wickets from 95 matches played. He has bowled with an impressive economy of 6.91 and an average of 25.85. 

Steyn was with team RCB for the last two seasons. He had withdrawn from playing IPL-2021 and was subsequently released from the squad for this season. However, he iterated that he hasn’t yet retired. 

4. Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was bought in IPL auction for the first time by Pune Warriors in the year 2011, and played 4 matches in the season. From IPL-2014, he has been a regular fixture for Sunrisers Hyderabad in their playing XI. He has been their most successful pacer in IPL History.

In the 121 IPL matches Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been part of, he has taken 136 wickets till now. He has bowled at an economy of 7.23 with an average of 23.91. This includes the best bowling performance of 5/19 as well.

Bhuvneshwar was the winner of Purple cap twice for taking most wickets in IPL 2016 and 2017. He had a key role in helping SRH win the title in IPL 2016. 

3. Dwayne Bravo

Dwayne Bravo started his IPL career in inaugural season with Mumbai Indians. He was their second-most successful bowler that year. Later on, he played for Chennai Super Kings for most part of his IPL career, and was their go-to bowler in the death overs.

Bravo has played 140 IPL matches so far, in which he has taken 153 wickets at an average of 24.82 and economy of 8.40. He played for Gujarat Lions when CSK were banned for two years during IPL 2016 and 2017.

Bravo has won the purple cap two times in IPL in the year 2013 and 2015. He had a major contribution for CSK in their triumph in the league.

2. Jasprit Bumrah

If at present time, any franchise is given a chance to pick a bowler for their team, that name may well be Jasprit Bumrah. He has dominated this league since the last 4-5 years, and has easily been one of the best bowlers of IPL History. Bumrah has played for Mumbai Indians in IPL since IPL 2013. 

His unique action makes it difficult for the batsmen to hit him for boundaries, and that is the reason he is considered one of the best in business for bowling in death overs. In the 92 matches he has played, Bumrah has picked up 109 wickets at an average of 23.72 and economy of 7.41. 

His consistent performance has ensured that Mumbai were always among the top teams in the cash rich league. In the 5 IPL trophies MI have, a lot can be attributed to bowling of Jasprit Bumrah.

1. Lasith Malinga

Lasith Malinga is considered as the legend of IPL league when it comes to bowling. He holds the record for taking most wickets in IPL history. Malinga first featured in facny T20 league for Mumbai Indians in the year 2009. He was one of their most important bowlers till his last season in 2019. 

Malinga also honed the duties of bowling coach of MI in IPL-2018 when he went unsold in auction. In total, he has taken 170 wickets from 120 matches with a wonderful average of 19.80 and economy of 7.14.

Malinga has six 4-wicket hauls to his name in the history of cash rich league including best bowling figures of 5/13 in an innings. Like Bumrah, he too has played a vital role in helping Mumbai being so successful in the league.