Such a moment occurred on March 23, 2025, when a bowler conceded 76 runs in four overs without taking a wicket against Sunrisers Hyderabad, setting a new record for the most expensive spell in IPL history.
This record broke the previous marks held by Mohit Sharma and Basil Thampi, showing how tough T20 cricket can be. The IPL is more than a tournament; it’s a stage where every over matters. One bad ball can change the game and turn success into failure.
In this article, we look at the top 11 most expensive bowling spells in IPL history and examine how even world-class bowlers from leading IPL franchises can struggle under pressure.
What Does “Most Expensive Spell” in IPL Mean?
The most expensive spell in the IPL refers to a bowler giving away the most runs in their allotted overs during a match. In T20 cricket, a bowler can bowl a maximum of four overs. If a bowler concedes a lot of runs in those four overs, it is called the most expensive spell, as it costs the team many runs.
So, when we say a bowler had the “most expensive spell in IPL,” it means they gave away the highest number of runs ever in a single bowling performance in the tournament.
Top 11 Most Expensive Spells In IPL History
Jofra Archer holds the record for the most expensive spell in IPL, giving away 76 runs in a single match. Here are the 11 bowlers who conceded the most runs in one IPL game:
| Bowler | Runs | Economy | Team | Against | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jofra Archer | 76 | 19.00 | RR | SRH | 2025 |
| Mohammed Shami | 75 | 18.75 | SRH | PBKS | 2025 |
| Will O’Rourke | 74 | 18.50 | LSG | RCB | 2025 |
| Mohit Sharma | 73 | 18.25 | GT | DC | 2024 |
| Basil Thampi | 70 | 17.50 | SRH | RCB | 2018 |
| Yash Dayal | 69 | 17.25 | GT | KKR | 2023 |
| Reece Topley | 68 | 17.00 | RCB | SRH | 2024 |
| Luke Wood | 68 | 17.00 | MI | DC | 2024 |
| Ishant Sharma | 66 | 16.50 | SRH | CSK | 2013 |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 66 | 16.50 | PBKS | SRH | 2019 |
| Arshdeep Singh | 66 | 17.21 | PBKS | MI | 2023 |
1. Jofra Archer
In an IPL 2025 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals’ bowler Jofra Archer had a tough day, conceding 76 runs in four overs without taking a wicket, the most expensive bowling spell in IPL history. This broke the previous record of 73 runs given by Mohit Sharma in 2024.
Archer faced relentless batting, with Ishan Kishan dominating with an unbeaten 106 off just 47 balls. Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen also added heavily to the total, helping Sunrisers Hyderabad reach a massive 286 for six, the second-highest score in IPL history. Rajasthan Royals managed 242 for six, falling short despite Archer’s efforts.
This record highlights how even the best bowlers can struggle under the intense pressure of T20 cricket, proving that a single day can be unforgettable for better or worse.
2. Mohammed Shami
In the IPL 2025 clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings, Mohammed Shami recorded the second-most expensive bowling spell in IPL history. He conceded 75 runs in four overs at an economy rate of 18.75, without taking any wickets.
The Punjab Kings batsmen dominated the Hyderabad attack, hitting six boundaries and seven sixes, helping their team reach a massive 245/6 after winning the toss and choosing to bat at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
This expensive spell came shortly after Jofra Archer set the record for the most costly over in the tournament.
3. Will O’Rourke
Will O’Rourke, a young fast bowler for Lucknow Super Giants, faced a challenging day in IPL 2025. In a match against Royal Challengers Bangalore, he conceded 74 runs in four overs, making it one of the most expensive spells in IPL history.
Despite the high number of runs, O’Rourke showed resilience and skill by taking key wickets that helped his team stay in the game. Still early in his IPL career, he is gaining valuable experience and learning from these tough moments.
With time and more matches, O’Rourke is expected to develop into a strong and reliable bowler.
4. Mohit Sharma
In the IPL 2024 match between Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals, Mohit Sharma had a tough day on the field, conceding 73 runs in his four overs, one of the most expensive spells in IPL history. This broke the previous record held by Basil Thampi, who had given away 70 runs in 2018.
Delhi Capitals’ captain, Rishabh Pant, was unstoppable, scoring 62 runs off just 19 balls against Sharma, including seven sixes and three fours. In the final over alone, Pant smashed 31 runs, pushing Delhi’s total to 224.
Despite being a Purple Cap winner, Sharma could not find a breakthrough, showing how quickly a bowler can struggle in T20 cricket when a batter is in full flow.
5. Basil Thampi
Basil Thampi, playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), had one of the most expensive bowling spells in IPL history during a 2018 match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). In his four overs, Thampi conceded 70 runs without taking a wicket, breaking the previous record of 66 runs set by Ishant Sharma in 2013.
In that match, RCB’s star batsmen, including AB de Villiers and Moeen Ali, attacked Thampi relentlessly, helping their team reach a massive total of 218/6.
Despite his efforts, SRH fell short and lost the match by 14 runs. This game is remembered as a tough day for Thampi but also shows how even talented bowlers can have challenging moments in the IPL.
6. Yash Dayal
Yash Dayal, the left-arm fast bowler for Gujarat Titans, had a challenging match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2023. In his four-over spell, he conceded 69 runs without taking a wicket, marking one of the most expensive spells in IPL history.
The expensive outing was largely due to KKR’s Rinku Singh, who hit five consecutive sixes in the final over, completely turning the game around. Despite Dayal’s efforts to control the run flow, the batters dominated and KKR secured a remarkable victory.
This spell serves as a reminder that even talented bowlers can face tough days in T20 cricket, where one over can change the course of a match and create memorable moments for better or worse.
7. Reece Topley
Reece Topley, playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), had a tough day against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 2024. In his four-over spell, he gave away 68 runs, making it one of the most expensive bowling performances in IPL history.
SRH’s batsmen were unstoppable, with Travis Head scoring a brilliant century and Abdul Samad hitting a flurry of boundaries in the final over. Their batting onslaught helped SRH post a record-breaking total of 287/3, showing just how difficult the match was for Topley.
Even though he managed to take a wicket, the expensive spell highlights how one bad day on the pitch can turn into a record-setting moment in T20 cricket.
8. Luke Wood
Luke Wood of the Mumbai Indians had a challenging outing against the Delhi Capitals on April 27, 2024, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. In his allotted four overs, Wood conceded 68 runs at an economy rate of 17.00.
While he managed to take one wicket, his performance still ranks among the most expensive bowling spells in IPL history. Throughout the match, the Delhi Capitals batsmen consistently targeted Wood, taking advantage of any loose deliveries and putting constant pressure on him.
This aggressive batting made it difficult for him to settle into a rhythm or control the game. Despite his experience and skills, this match highlights how even professional bowlers can have an off day in high-pressure T20 cricket.
9. Ishant Sharma
Ishant Sharma, playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), had one of the most expensive spells in IPL history during the 2013 season against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). In his 4-over spell, he conceded 66 runs without taking a wicket.
The trouble started early, with Michael Hussey hitting two boundaries in Ishant’s first over. Murali Vijay added to the pressure by smashing three sixes in the fifth over. But it was Suresh Raina who caused the most damage, scoring 25 runs in Ishant’s final over, including four fours and a six.
The onslaught helped CSK reach 223 runs, and they went on to win the match by 77 runs. The game took place on 8 May 2013 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
10. Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Mujeeb Ur Rahman, the talented Afghan spinner playing for Kings XI Punjab, delivered one of the most expensive spells in IPL history by conceding 66 runs in just four overs against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) during the 2019 season.
The match was held at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, where David Warner dominated the innings. Warner’s aggressive batting from the very first ball put Mujeeb under pressure, leading to a high run tally.
Despite Mujeeb’s efforts, SRH posted a challenging total and ultimately secured a 45-run victory over Kings XI Punjab. This game highlights how in T20 cricket, even skilled bowlers can have tough days, especially against fearless and attacking batters like Warner.
11. Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep Singh had a tough outing against Mumbai Indians in the 2023 IPL season. He struggled to control the scoring and ended up giving away 66 runs in just 3.5 overs, making it the most expensive spell of his IPL career.
Mumbai’s batters, especially Ishan Kishan, attacked him from the start and did not allow him to settle into a rhythm. The heavy run flow put Punjab Kings under pressure and shifted the momentum of the match.
This spell is remembered as one of the costliest in IPL history and shows how quickly things can go wrong for a bowler in high-pressure T20 matches.
Conclusion
The most expensive bowling spells in IPL history remind us how challenging T20 cricket can be for bowlers. In a format where batters attack from the first ball, even experienced and world-class bowlers can have difficult days. One bad over, a few loose deliveries, or a fearless batter can quickly change the course of a match.
These spells do not define a bowler’s career but highlight the intense pressure of the IPL, something IPL team coaches constantly prepare their players for. They also show why the IPL remains one of the most exciting tournaments in the world, filled with unpredictable moments and unforgettable performances.
