The Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 isn't just a tournament, but a festival that excites fans, encourages players, and inspires cricket enthusiasts. In the IPL, a single over can change everything, like the bowler's rhythm, a team's fate, and also bring a turning point in the player's career.
The most expensive spell in IPL shows us how ruthless cricket can be and how there's a dissipating line between distress and a genius. This challenge is faced by the players every season, where they challenge batters, and sometimes they even get defeated.
Sounds uneasy? Why not just discover all those battles fought by the bowlers silently through this blog? To explore more, read the blog till the end.
What Is Meant by the Most Expensive Spells in IPL?
The most expensive spell in IPL means the bowling performance of the bowlers, where they have surpassed or have acquired more runs within their allotted overs during the match. In T20 cricket, the maximum number of balls a player can play is four overs. If the bowler gives the most runs within those four overs, that is considered the most expensive spell in IPL, which means that it costs the team too many runs.
So when we say that the "most expensive spell in IPL," we're talking about the single bowling spell, where the bowler has conceded the highest number of runs ever in the IPL.
Most Expensive Spells in IPL History
Jofra Archer (0/76 in Four Overs)
Jofra Archer of the Rajasthan Royals and the most valuable player, scored a dazzling score of 0/76 runs in just four overs in a match played against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. He made a total of 76 runs in just four overs without even taking a wicket. This has set a record for the most expensive bowling figures in IPL history. However, his challenging day began with a power play where Travis scored a total of 23 runs that included 4 fours and a six.
Mohammad Shami (0/75 in Four Overs)
Mohammad Shami made a record of the most expensive bowling spell by an Indian in IPL history. The match took place between the Sunrisers Hyderabad and the Punjab King. Mohammad Shami gave 75 runs as the Punjab Kings piled up a massive 245/6 after choosing to bat first at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. However, his expensive spell in this match included six boundaries and seven sixes.
W'O Rourke (2/74 in Four Overs)
W'O Rourke of the Lucknow SuperGiants played against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the match held on 27 May 2025. He scored a surprising 74 runs by taking two wickets against the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium was the venue of the match.
Mohit Sharma (0/73 in Four Overs)
Mohit Sharma, who is also the IPL purple cap winner and plays for the Gujarat Titans during the IPL, faced difficulty with the Delhi Capitals. He conceded a total of 73 runs in his four-over spell without even claiming a wicket. This achievement of his was considered to be one of the most expensive spells in IPL history.
Basil Thampi (0/70 in Four Overs)
Basil Thampi of the Sunrisers Hyderabad played against the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2018. He gave 7 runs in his four-over spell without taking any wickets, placing him among the most expensive spells in IPL history.
Yash Dayal (0/69 in Four Overs)
Yash Dayal of the Gujarat Titans played a serious series against the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2023. He scored a total of 69 runs in his four overs without even taking a wicket, making it one of the most expensive spells recorded in IPL.
Reece Topley (1/68 in Four Overs)
At the Chinnaswamy Stadium, the Royal Challengers Bangalore endured Abhishek Sharma who attacked the highest team, Reece Topley. Despite dismissing Abhishek Sharma, Topley had figures of 1/43 after three overs. His final over turned disastrous as Abdul Samad smashed 4, 4, 6, 6, and 4, propelling Sunrisers past the record total of 263 runs.
L Wood (1/68 in Four Overs)
L Wood of the Mumbai Indians scored 68 runs in just four overs and one wicket against the Delhi Capitals. The match was held on 27 April 2024, and the venue for the match was held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi.
Ishant Sharma (0/66 in Four Overs)
Ishant Sharma of the Sunrisers Hyderabad, the highest run scorer in the Asian Cup, also conceded a total of 66 runs in just four overs against the Chennai Super Kings. The match was held on 8 May 2013, and the venue for the match was the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
Mujeeb UR Rahman (0/66 in Four Overs)
Mujeeb UR Rahman of the Kings XI conceded the most expensive spell against the Sunrisers Hyderabad by scoring 66 runs in just four overs. The match was held on 29 April 2019, and the venue for the match was the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Most Expensive Spells in IPL History
What Is Considered an Expensive Spell in IPL?
Any spell where a bowler gives away over 50 runs in 4 overs is generally considered expensive in T20 cricket.
Can Bowlers Recover from an Expensive Spell?
Absolutely! Many bowlers use these experiences as motivation to improve their variations, plan better, and come back stronger in future matches.
Why Do Bowlers Still Love Playing in the IPL Even After Having Bad Days?
Even when they have a bad day, they see it as a chance to improve and come back stronger in the next game.
The most expensive spell in IPL shows that cricket is not always about winning; it's also about learning. Every bowler has good and bad days, but what matters most is how they bounce back.
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