Having bowlers who can control the run flow of the opposition is crucial in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Batting teams tend to accelerate their innings in the death overs and score at a high rate in the powerplay. In contrast, teams are cautious in the middle overs, focusing on stabilizing their innings, resulting in most dot balls. The last few overs are an exception, where dot balls are rare.
From a bowler’s point of view, each dot ball in T20 cricket is very crucial. It adds pressure on the batters to look for boundaries in the next deliveries, which often results in the fall of wicket. However, one needs to maintain proper line and length to bowl a dot delivery. Hence, we take a look at the bowlers who has most dot balls in the league’s history.
Here are the top 5 bowlers with most Dot Balls in IPL history
Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 1501
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, despite facing injury issues, tops the list with 157 wickets in 150 innings at an average of 26.03 and an economy of 7.34. He has bowled 1501 dot balls in the tournament, exhibiting his accuracy and precision as a pace bowler for the SRH squad.
Ravichandran Ashwin – 1469
Ashwin is second on the list with 1469 dot balls in 186 innings, an economy of 6.97 and a 4-wicket haul. The former Punjab captain has played for Delhi Capitals and currently plays for Rajasthan Royals. Ashwin has taken 161 wickets in 184 innings at an average of 28.63, cementing his status as one of the league’s most skilled bowlers.
Sunil Narine – 1456
Sunil has been a crucial part of Kolkata Knight Riders since his IPL debut in 2012. His 1456 dot balls rank him third in the history of the league. With 158 wickets in 149 IPL matches, Narine is an invaluable asset to KKR. His consistent performances have played a significant role in the team’s success over the years.
Harbhajan Singh – 1312
Securing the fourth spot on the list with 1312 dot balls in 160 IPL innings. Harbhajan Singh has taken 150 wickets with an economy of 7.07, which includes a 4-wicket and a 5-wicket haul. He has played for Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, and was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders at his base price in the 2021 IPL auction. Singh is a legendary bowler and an asset to any team.
Lasith Malinga – 1217
Malinga is the greatest bowler in IPL history, with 1217 dot balls to his name. He has taken 170 wickets in the cash-rich league, with an economy of 7.14 and an average of 19.79, making him the second-highest wicket-taker. Malinga’s presence was crucial to the Mumbai Indians team, and his success inspired many young pacers. His impact on IPL history is unforgettable.
