IPL: Top 5 IPL best bowling Strike Rates in History

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the most competitive T20 league in the world. Most of the best batters and bowlers in the world take part in the tournament for two months. In modern times, pitches are designed in such a way that the batters can smash a lot of boundaries, which entertains the fans. It is not any different in the Indian Premier League. Hence, bowlers find it difficult to pick wickets in the IPL.

However, as the best bowlers take part in the tournament, they can take wickets on some of the flattest of pitches. IPL has witnessed many such bowlers who can change the complexion of a match with their bowling spells by claiming the wickets of the set batters. Such bowlers have a great bowling SR, which shows the number of balls they take on average to claim a wicket in their IPL career.

Also check: IPL: Top 10 bowlers with most Dot Balls in IPL History

Here is the list of bowlers with the best bowling strike rate in the history of the IPL (Minimum of 500 balls bowled):

5. Wanindu Hasaranga 

Wanindu Hasaranga has been one of the best spinners in the league in the last few seasons. The Sri Lankan played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL from 2021 to 2023. While he was ruled out of the league in 2024 due to an injury, the leg spinner will be playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 2025.

Hasaranga has bowled 92 overs in the league and picked wickets for fun. The Sri Lankan has a total of 35 wickets to his name at a bowling average of 21.37. While his economy rate is 8.13, Wanindu has claimed two 4-wicket hauls in the IPL. His blowing strike rate in the league is 15.77.

4. Doug Bollinger

Doug Bollinger had one of the greatest primes for a bowler in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The left-arm pacer played for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the early years of the league. Bollinger was one of the toughest bowlers to deal with, as he had great variations and a yorker.

The left-arm pacer bowled 96 overs in the league and claimed 37 wickets. The Australian bowler had an incredible bowling average of 18.73 at an economy rate of just 7.22 despite operating at the death. Doug had a solitary 4-wicket haul to his name with a great bowling strike rate of 15.57.

3. Kagiso Rabada 

Kagiso Rabada is one of the greatest wicket-takers in the history of cricket. In the IPL, only one bowler has a better bowling SR than him with over 100 wickets. The South African has played for teams like Delhi Capitals (DC) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the league so far. He will be playing for the Gujarat Titans (GT) in 2025.

The star pacer has bowled a whopping 303 overs in the league, the most for a bowler on this list. He has 117 wickets to his name at an impressive bowling average of 21.97. While Rabada's economy is 8.48, he has a total of six 4-wicket hauls to his name. Kagiso's bowling strike rate in the IPL history is 15.54.

2. Mitchell Marsh

Mitchell Marsh is one of the most underrated bowlers in the history of the IPL. Injuries played a big role in him being in and out of the IPL. But he is one of the best wicket-taking bowlers in the league. Marsh has played for various teams like Pune Warriors India (PWI), Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS), Delhi Capitals (DC), Deccan Chargers, and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

Marsh will be playing for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in 2025. He has bowled 93.2 overs and claimed 37 wickets in the IPL so far. Marsh averages 21.49 and has an economy of 8.52 in the league. The Australian All-rounder has a 4-wicket haul to his name. His bowling strike rate in the IPL history is 15.14.

1. Andre Russell

Andre Russell is arguably the greatest wicket-taking bowler in IPL history. The West Indian star can claim wickets in any phase of the game. Russell has played for only two teams in the league: the Delhi Capitals (DC) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The star player will continue to represent KKR in 2025.

Dre Russ has bowled a whopping 282.5 overs and claimed 115 wickets in the league so far. He has a bowling average of 23.01 and a total of four 4-wicket hauls to his name. While Russell's economy of 9.36 is on the higher side, his bowling strike rate of 14.76 is the best for a bowler in the history of the IPL.

The bowlers with the best bowling strike rates in the history of the IPL till 2024 are Andre Russell, Mitchell Marsh, Kagiso Rabada, Doug Bollinger, and Wanindu Hasaranga.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Who holds the best bowling strike rate in IPL history?

Andre Russell has the best bowling strike rate for a bowler, with a minimum of 500 balls bowled. The West Indian All-rounder has an incredible bowling strike rate of 14.76. It translates to claiming a wicket in every 15 balls or less.

What does strike rate mean in IPL bowling?

Bowling strike rate is the number of balls taken by a bowler on average in his career to take a wicket. If a bowler has 10 wickets in a career of 120 balls, his bowling strike rate would be 12.00.

Which IPL season had the lowest average strike rates for bowlers?

In the IPL 2009, which was played in South Africa, the average bowling strike rate of the bowlers was the least. An average of 5.87 wickets were claimed in every innings in the season. Bowlers had a combined strike rate of 19.49 in the season.