The bowlers have a crucial position in the Indian Premier League, where the batters usually dominate the maximum proceedings of the games. Though the players have not been so stagnant in their game, each aspect is essential. IPL has witnessed many aggressive and composed bowlers like Rashid Khan, Shane Warne, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, etc. But, not all of them are so economical in their bowling. For example, Bhuvneshwar is the third-highest wicket-taker pacer in the list of IPL, but he conceded runs at the rate of 7.40.
While bowlers like Umesh Yadav and Zaheer Khan also enlist in the list of most run leaking pacers with economies of 7.90 and 7.58, respectively.
Here are the top 10 bowlers who bowl in IPL with the best economy rates throughout their career.
Note: We have fixed criteria of players who have bowled a minimum of 50 overs/300 balls in their IPL career for this top 10 selection.
Best Economy Rate by Bowlers in IPL
| Player | Innings | Runs Conceded | Overs Bowled | Economy | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anil Kumble | 42 | 1058 | 160.5 | 6.57 | 45 |
| Glenn McGrath | 14 | 357 | 54.0 | 6.61 | 12 |
| Muthiah Muralidaran | 66 | 1696 | 254.0 | 6.67 | 63 |
| Sunil Narine | 175 | 4571 | 679.1 | 6.73 | 180 |
| Roelof van der Merwe | 21 | 498 | 73.5 | 6.74 | 21 |
| Daniel Vettori | 34 | 879 | 129.3 | 6.78 | 28 |
| Rashid Khan | 121 | 3252 | 476.3 | 6.82 | 149 |
| Jayant Yadav | 20 | 445 | 65.0 | 6.84 | 8 |
| Dale Steyn | 95 | 2508 | 362.4 | 6.91 | 97 |
| Johan Botha | 34 | 800 | 115.4 | 6.91 | 25 |
#1 Rashid Khan (GT)
Rashid Khan is the best economy rate bowler in the Indian Premier League. He has made his debut in the IPL season of 2017 for Sunrisers Hyderabad. He has played 77 matches and picked up 94 wickets in it with the cheapest economy figures of 6.33. In the mega auction of IPL 2022, he was picked up by Gujarat Titans, where he will play under the leadership of Hardik Pandya. Find out the top bowling spells of Rashid Khan in IPL here.
#2 Anil Kumble (RCB)
Anil Kumble, the Karnataka born leg-spin legend, stands out at no 2 positions in the list. The Great Kumble has performed in 42 IPL matches and taken 45 wickets with an economy of 6.57. He led Royal Challengers Bangalore for three seasons (2008, 2009, 2010) in IPL.
Bonus: You must know that Anil Kumble is the only Indian bowler to pick 10 wickets in a Test innings, but here is an unknown record that Kumble holds.
#3 Glenn McGrath (DD)
The Australian great Glenn McGrath had pushed the limits for then Delhi Daredevils in the lone inaugural IPL season. He has played in 15 IPL encounters and wiped off 12 wickets with a tremendous economy rate of 6.61. He had played the only season of IPL 2008 under the leadership of Virender Sehwag.
#4 Muttiah Muralidharan (RCB)
Muttiah Muralidharan is arguably the greatest spinner on the planet and in World Cricket’s history. He has played for three IPL franchises in his career, in which he scratched 63 wickets in 66 matches with an economy number of 6.67. Though he played for many teams, his time with RCB was from (2012 to 2014).
#5 Sunil Narine (KKR)
Kolkata Knight Riders have been relying on this Caribbean guy for a long time. He has cherry-picked by KKR in the auction of IPL 2012, and from there, he started to glorify the KKR franchise. He has played in 135 games and taken 143 wickets with an astonishing economy of 6.72. Moreover, he has bowled out so magnificent spells for KKR in his long-reigning career of 10 years.
#6 R Van Der Merwe (DD)
The South African spin wizard had appeared in the Indian Premier League from (2009 to 2013). He has stepped in 21 matches and taken 21 wickets in that, but his chief asset was his economy rate of 6.74. Delhi Daredevils was the team that gave him the first break in the Indian Premier League in IPL 2009.
#7 Daniel Vettori (RCB)
The former skipper of Royal Challengers Bangalore has occupied the seventh position in the list. This is because his left-arm orthodox bowling has proven so profitable for RCB. He has appeared in 34 encounters in 4 year-long careers and took 38 wickets with an economy of 6.77.
#8 Washington Sundar (SRH)
The new man in for Sunrisers Hyderabad would be advantageous for Kane & company. His economy figures in 42 games are 6.93, and he has taken 27 wickets in his whole career. He has played for two franchises in IPL, Royal Challengers Bangalore and now SRH, so fingers are crossed for his future journey with Hyderabad.
#9 R Ashwin (RR)
Ravichandran Ashwin is the 9th most economically successful bowler in the 14 editions of the Indian Premier League. He has played over 150+ IPL matches and took 146 wickets with a cheap economy rate of 6.87. He has played for franchises like Chennai Super Kings, Punjab Kings, and now he has been sold to Rajasthan Royals in the mega auction of IPL 2022.
Read Now: Ashwin’s Test wickets tally – Year by Year
#10 Dale Steyn (RCB)
The Steyn Gun has been so striking in the sphere of his game. He has built his brand wherever he played in the world. He had achieved the economy of 6.91 in the 95 IPL games in which he displayed his bowling skills. He debuted for Deccan Chargers in 2008 and lastly starred for Royal Challengers Bangalore and retired in IPL 2020.
Read Now: Here are 3 Players who have played for RCB, CSK, & MI
