Best Bowling Figures in Ipl History: Alzarri Joseph’s 6/12 Tops All-Time List

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While the Indian Premier League is often dominated by explosive batting, bowlers have occasionally produced extraordinary spells that turn matches on their head.

The record for the best bowling figures in IPL history belongs to West Indies pacer Alzarri Joseph, whose remarkable spell of 6/12 for Mumbai Indians in 2019 remains unmatched in the tournament.

In a format where bowlers are frequently under pressure from aggressive batting, such performances stand out as rare match-winning efforts.

Top bowling figures in IPL history

Best Bowling Figures in IPL History

Alzarri Joseph's record-breaking 6/12

Joseph's historic performance came during IPL 2019 while playing for Mumbai Indians against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Defending a modest total of 137, Joseph made an immediate impact when he dismissed David Warner with his very first ball in the IPL. He continued to dismantle the SRH batting lineup, finishing with extraordinary figures of 6/12.

His wickets included Warner, Vijay Shankar, Deepak Hooda, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Siddarth Kaul as Sunrisers Hyderabad were bowled out for just 96.

The spell remains the best bowling performance in IPL history.

Only three six-wicket hauls in IPL history

Joseph is one of only three players to take six wickets in a single IPL match.

The first six-wicket haul came in the inaugural IPL season in 2008 when Pakistan pacer Sohail Tanvir produced figures of 6/14 for Rajasthan Royals against Chennai Super Kings.

Tanvir struck early, dismissing Parthiv Patel and Stephen Fleming in the first over before ripping through the middle and lower order to help Rajasthan bowl out CSK for just 109.

Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa became the third player to take six wickets in the IPL when he finished with figures of 6/19 for Rising Pune Supergiants against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016, although Pune eventually lost the match.

Anil Kumble the highest-ranked Indian

Among Indian bowlers, Anil Kumble holds the record for the best IPL bowling figures.

The legendary leg-spinner took 5/5 for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2009. Chasing 134, Rajasthan were bowled out for just 58 as Kumble ripped through the batting lineup in 3.1 overs.

More recently, Mumbai Indians pacer Akash Madhwal equalled those figures with a stunning 5/5 against Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2023 Eliminator.

In a tournament where big scores are common, such bowling performances continue to stand out as some of the most memorable moments in IPL history.