Top 5 best bowling figures by captains in the IPL

Only one captain has taken a five-wicket haul in the IPL.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is among the top competitive leagues in the world. It is very difficult to perform in the IPL, but over the years, there have been many incredible individual performances registered in the IPL.

Some of those performances have been registered in the record book. Over the years, the role of bowlers has become difficult, and this article belongs to the bowling captains. A captain’s role is very important in leading the team to win.

And here we will talk about some of the best bowling spells bowled captain in the history of the tournament. There has been only one instance when a captain took five-wicket haul in the tournament. So, let’s dive into the top five best bowling figures by a captain in the IPL.

List of Top five best bowling figures by captains in the IPL

5. Shane Warne (RR) – 4/21 vs Deccan Chargers, IPL 2010

The fifth best spell by a captain in the IPL belong to late Shane Warne, who achieved it back in 2010. He delivered it against Deccan Chargers in Nagpur. It was a match-winning spell as Rajasthan Royals had a batting collapse. They were bowled out for just 159 runs.

Chasing the score, the Chargers were 112/3 in 13.4 overs. Then, Warne took 4/21 and helped his team to restrict the Chargers to 157, and RR won the game by just two runs.

4. JP Duminy (DD) – 4/17 vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, IPL 2015

JP Duminy was a specialist batter who used to bowl part-time spin. But he also features on this list, with his career-best spell in the IPL. It was one of the best all-round performances in an IPL game. Batting first, Duminy scored 54 off 41 and helped Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) reach 167/4.

Later, Captain Duminy came to bowl with the new ball and took 4/17 in three overs. Sunrisers Hyderabad only managed 163/8 and lost the game by four runs. Apart from fifty and four wickets, Dumiy also took two catches as well.

3. Anil Kumble (RCB) – 4/16 vs Deccan Chargers, IPL 2009

Former Indian and RCB captain Anil Kumble was a very smart operator, and he proved it at different levels. He recorded a brilliant spell as the RCB captain in the 2009 edition against Deccan Chargers.

It was the final of the 2009 edition when Kumble took 4/16 in his four overs, and the Chargers only made 143/6 with the bat. Although RCB were unlucky and only managed 137/9 and lost the final and trophy, but Kumble made history.

2. Anil Kumble (RCB) – 4/16 vs Deccan Chargers, IPL 2010

Same team, same bowler, and same opposition. Anil Kumble has two identical spells who are in the top three. After his 4/16 in the 2009 final, Kumble again delivered bowling figures of 4/16 against Deccan Chargers in the 2010 edition.

This was the third-place playoff game at the DY Patil Stadium. Deccan Chargers were bowled out for just 82 runs in 18.3 overs, and RCB made 86/1 in 13.5 overs to win the game. Kumble bagged Player of the Match award.

1. Hardik Pandya (MI) – 5/36 vs Lucknow Super Giants, IPL 2025

Hardik Pandya holds the record for the best bowling figure by a captain in the IPL. He did it for the Mumbai Indians against the Lucknow Super Giants at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium in IPL 2025.

Unfortunately, it came in a losing cause. Batting first, LSG posted a total of 203/8, and Hardik took 5/36. It was the first time that a captain in the tournament’s history took a five-wicket haul. MI managed 191/5 in the chase and lost the game by 12 runs.

(All stats updated till 9th April, 2025)

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