T20 cricket is quite a platform for the batters while the bowlers got hit from both ends. The limited number of overs makes it difficult for the bowlers to adjust. Indian Premier League (IPL), the extravagant franchise-based T20 league has been another stage for the batters to showcase their flamboyant skills since its inception.
However, as the famous saying goes – ‘batsman wins you matches and bowlers win you tournaments,’ we have witnessed some of the bowlers consistently performing to the highest level. There some exceptional bowlers have bowled a series of dot balls since the inception of the tournament back in 2008. Their prolific bowling checked the run flow and also helped their teams to win.
In this piece, we will speak about five bowlers who have bowled the most number of dot balls in the IPL:
5. Piyush Chawla (Mumbai Indians)
The veteran off-spinner from Uttar Pradesh – Piyush Chawla is one of the resilient bowlers, who would toss up the very next ball after getting smashed in the previous delivery. Chawla has never stepped back from his drawn intent. The 32-year-old has trapped batters with his boastful flight and turners and is among the most successful spinners in the tournament.
Formerly a Kolkata Knight Riders (2014-2019) player, then became a part of Chennai Super Kings in 2020 and now playing for Mumbai Indians in 2021, Chawla has delivered 1146 dot balls in 164 IPL games taking 156 wickets.
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4. Lasith Malinga (Mumbai Indians)
Mumbai Indian’s former go-to bowler and Sri Lankan legend Lasith Malinga has curated a lot of winning moments for his IPL side. His slinging action made it difficult for the batters to anticipate the line and length. The former SL skipper’s toe-crushing yorkers are still etched on the memories.
Taking 170 wickets in 122 IPL games, he has produced 1155 dot balls. The legendary fast bowler was part of Sri Lanka’s four title-winning campaigns leading the bowling unit from the front. The veteran fast bowler called time on his IPL career just ahead of the start of IPL 2021.
3. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
The Meerut-based right-handed pacer negotiates the accolades through his ability to swing the ball. Started his IPL career with Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2009, he then donned the Pune Warriors India’s jersey from 2011-2013 and landed up with Sunrisers Hyderabad’s contract in 2014.
Since then the swing king has become SRH’s regular member. Won the purple cap twice, once in 2016 and then in 2017, Bhuvneshwar has bowled 1164 balls that have not conceded any run. In 121 IPL games, he has picked up 136 scalps. Although he has had injury woes in the last couple of years, that hasn’t dampened Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s skills with the ball.
2. Ravichandran Ashwin (Delhi Capitals)
A classic nonchalant off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin has a lot of variety in bowling techniques to offer. Ashwin’s control over line and length has enabled him to produce more dot balls if not ripping apart the stumps. Consistently breaking the partnerships, Ashwin has bowled 1164 dot balls and 134 wickets in 121 IPL games.
The Tamil Nadu-based bowler has played for Chennai Super Kings from 2008 to 2015, Rising Pune Supergiant in 2016, Kings XI Punjab in 2018 and 2019, and since the 2020 IPL he is representing Delhi Capitals. Ashwin has grown from strength to strength in this format and will be one of the contenders for a 2021 ICC T20 World Cup spot.
1. Harbhajan Singh (Kolkata Knight Riders)
The veteran off-spinner marked his international arrival with a hattrick against Australia in 2001. Since then he has been a stalwart of Indian cricket. The 40-year-old off-spinner has been a perfect match-up for all the cricket formats. His ability to hit at the right spot has not only stimulated the number of wickets he has bagged, but also helped in putting pressure on batsmen.
Started his IPL career with Mumbai Indians, transited to Chennai Super Kings, and now presenting Kolkata Knight Riders, the Turbinate has bowled 1249 dot balls in 160 IPL games. He has clubbed 150 wickets since the history of the cash-rich league in 2008.