R Ashwin to Sunil Narine To Axar Patel: IPL's Most Consistent Boundary-Free Bowlers

Add as a preferred source on Google

In high-octane T20 cricket, where boundaries often dictate the momentum of a match, a select group of bowlers have mastered the art of restraint, denying their opponents any scoring opportunities.

In the Indian Premier League (IPL), where explosive batting reigns supreme, these bowlers have achieved a remarkable feat by not conceding a single boundary (4 or 6) in an innings while bowling all four overs.

In the IPL 2024 match number 28 between Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants at iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday (April 14), KKR mystery spinner Sunil Narine showcased his miserly bowling skills.

The right-arm spinner finished with figures of 1/17 from his full quota of four overs and did not leak a single boundary in his effort. The Caribbean star all-rounder didn't even concede a double in his spell.

Let's take a look at the elite list of bowlers who have achieved this remarkable milestone the most times:

1. R Ashwin: Leading the pack is the seasoned off-spinner R Ashwin, who has accomplished this feat an astounding 14 times in 150 innings of bowling all four overs. Known for his guile and variations, Ashwin's ability to control the flow of runs has been instrumental for various IPL franchises over the years.

2. Sunil Narine: Tied with Ashwin is the enigmatic Sunil Narine, whose mystery spin has bamboozled batsmen in the IPL. Like Ashwin, Narine has kept the boundaries at bay on 14 occasions in 150 innings, showcasing his invaluable contribution to his team's success.

3. Harbhajan Singh: Another stalwart of Indian cricket, Harbhajan Singh, occupies the third spot with 13 instances of bowling four overs without conceding a boundary in 112 innings. The off-spinner's experience and astute bowling were pivotal for his teams in various IPL seasons.

4. Amit Mishra: With 10 such instances in 99 innings, leg-spinner Amit Mishra has been a consistent performer in the IPL. Mishra's deceptive variations and subtle changes in pace have made him a potent weapon in stifling opposition batsmen.

5. Yuzvendra Chahal: Joining Mishra with 10 instances is Yuzvendra Chahal, who has emerged as one of the premier leg-spinners in the IPL. Chahal's ability to outsmart batsmen with his flight and spin has been a hallmark of his success in the tournament.

6. Rashid Khan: The Afghan sensation Rashid Khan has showcased his bowling prowess in the IPL, registering eight instances of bowling all four overs without conceding a boundary in 112 innings. Rashid's unerring accuracy and subtle variations have made him a nightmare for batsmen.

7. Krunal Pandya: Baroda all-rounder Krunal Pandya has proven to be a reliable option with the ball for Mumbai Indians, achieving this feat seven times in 53 innings. His ability to maintain tight lines and extract turn from the pitch has made him a valuable asset for his team.

8. Ravindra Jadeja: Known for his all-round skills, Ravindra Jadeja has excelled with the ball, accomplishing this feat seven times in 98 innings. Jadeja's ability to contain runs in the middle overs and pick up crucial wickets has been crucial for the Chennai Super Kings.

9. Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralitharan, Dwayne Bravo, Axar Patel: These bowlers have achieved this milestone five times each, showcasing their class and consistency in the IPL over the years.