Updated October 2026 | All stats are as of the end of IPL 2026 (final played 31 May 2026).
Alzarri Joseph’s 6/12 for Mumbai Indians against Sunrisers Hyderabad is the best bowling performance in IPL history. Below are the 20 best figures ever recorded, the stories behind them, and how the record has moved since 2008. There have been 38 five-wicket hauls in the IPL in total.
More records are in our IPL records section.
What This Record Measures and Why It Is Hard
Best bowling figures rank a single spell by wickets taken, then by fewest runs conceded. A bowler gets only four overs, 24 legal balls, so taking five or more wickets in a T20 match is rare, and doing it cheaply on modern batting pitches is rarer still. Only wickets credited to the bowler count; run-outs do not.
Best Bowling Figures in IPL History: The Complete All-Time Leaderboard (Top 20)
| Rank | Player | Team | Figures | Overs | Season | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alzarri Joseph | MI | 6/12 | 3.4 | 2019 | SRH |
| 2 | Sohail Tanvir | RR | 6/14 | 4.0 | 2008 | CSK |
| 3 | Adam Zampa | RPS | 6/19 | 4.0 | 2016 | SRH |
| 4 | Anil Kumble | RCB | 5/5 | 3.1 | 2009 | RR |
| 5 | Akash Madhwal | MI | 5/5 | 3.3 | 2023 | LSG |
| 6 | Jasprit Bumrah | MI | 5/10 | 4.0 | 2022 | KKR |
| 7 | Mohit Sharma | GT | 5/10 | 2.2 | 2023 | MI |
| 8 | Ishant Sharma | DCG | 5/12 | 3.0 | 2011 | KTK |
| 9 | Lasith Malinga | MI | 5/13 | 3.4 | 2011 | DC |
| 10 | Ankit Rajpoot | PBKS | 5/14 | 4.0 | 2018 | SRH |
| 11 | Mark Wood | LSG | 5/14 | 4.0 | 2023 | DC |
| 12 | Andre Russell | KKR | 5/15 | 2.0 | 2021 | MI |
| 13 | Ravindra Jadeja | CSK | 5/16 | 4.0 | 2012 | DCG |
| 14 | James Faulkner | RR | 5/16 | 4.0 | 2013 | SRH |
| 15 | Amit Mishra | DC | 5/17 | 4.0 | 2008 | DCG |
| 16 | Andrew Tye | GL | 5/17 | 4.0 | 2017 | RPS |
| 17 | Harbhajan Singh | MI | 5/18 | 4.0 | 2011 | CSK |
| 18 | Wanindu Hasaranga | RCB | 5/18 | 4.0 | 2022 | SRH |
| 19 | Sandeep Sharma | RR | 5/18 | 4.0 | 2024 | MI |
| 20 | Sunil Narine | KKR | 5/19 | 4.0 | 2012 | PBKS |
The stories behind the top 20
- Alzarri Joseph 6/12. Bowling for Mumbai Indians against Sunrisers Hyderabad, he took 6 for 12 in 3.4 overs, and MI won. 6 Apr 2019, Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium: MI batted first and made 136/7, led by Kieron Pollard 46* (26), with Siddarth Kaul 2/34 the pick of the SRH bowlers. SRH replied with 96, Deepak Hooda 20 (24) top-scoring as Alzarri Joseph 6/12 did the damage for MI. MI won by 40 runs. Player of the match: Alzarri Joseph.
- Sohail Tanvir 6/14. Bowling for Rajasthan Royals against Chennai Super Kings, he took 6 for 14 in 4.0 overs, and RR won. 4 May 2008, Sawai Mansingh Stadium: CSK batted first and made 109, led by Albie Morkel 42 (33), with Sohail Tanvir 6/14 the pick of the RR bowlers. RR replied with 110/2, Graeme Smith 35* (44) top-scoring. RR won by 8 wickets. Player of the match: Sohail Tanvir.
- Adam Zampa 6/19. Bowling for Rising Pune Supergiant against Sunrisers Hyderabad, he took 6 for 19 in 4.0 overs, and RPS lost. 10 May 2016, Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium: SRH batted first and made 137/8, led by Shikhar Dhawan 33 (27), with Adam Zampa 6/19 the pick of the RPS bowlers. RPS replied with 133/8, George Bailey 34 (40) top-scoring as Ashish Nehra 3/29 did the damage for SRH. SRH won by 4 runs. Player of the match: Adam Zampa.
- Anil Kumble 5/5. Bowling for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Rajasthan Royals, he took 5 for 5 in 3.1 overs, and RCB won. 18 Apr 2009, Newlands: RCB batted first and made 133/8, led by Rahul Dravid 66 (48), with Dimitri Mascarenhas 3/20 the pick of the RR bowlers. RR replied with 58 as Anil Kumble 5/5 did the damage for RCB. RCB won by 75 runs. Player of the match: Rahul Dravid.
- Akash Madhwal 5/5. Bowling for Mumbai Indians against Lucknow Super Giants, he took 5 for 5 in 3.3 overs, and MI won. 24 May 2023, MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk) (Eliminator): MI batted first and made 182/8, led by Cameron Green 41 (23), with Naveen-ul-Haq 4/38 the pick of the LSG bowlers. LSG replied with 101, Marcus Stoinis 40 (27) top-scoring as Akash Madhwal 5/5 did the damage for MI. MI won by 81 runs. Player of the match: Akash Madhwal.
- Jasprit Bumrah 5/10. Bowling for Mumbai Indians against Kolkata Knight Riders, he took 5 for 10 in 4.0 overs, and MI lost. 9 May 2022, Dr DY Patil Sports Academy: KKR batted first and made 165/9, led by Venkatesh Iyer 43 (24), with Jasprit Bumrah 5/10 the pick of the MI bowlers. MI replied with 113, Ishan Kishan 51 (43) top-scoring as Pat Cummins 3/22 did the damage for KKR. KKR won by 52 runs. Player of the match: Jasprit Bumrah.
- Mohit Sharma 5/10. Bowling for Gujarat Titans against Mumbai Indians, he took 5 for 10 in 2.2 overs, and GT won. 26 May 2023, Narendra Modi Stadium (Qualifier 2): GT batted first and made 233/3, led by Shubman Gill 129 (60). MI replied with 171, Suryakumar Yadav 61 (38) top-scoring as Mohit Sharma 5/10 did the damage for GT. GT won by 62 runs. Player of the match: Shubman Gill.
- Ishant Sharma 5/12. Bowling for Deccan Chargers against Kochi Tuskers Kerala, he took 5 for 12 in 3.0 overs, and DCG won. 27 Apr 2011, Nehru Stadium: DCG batted first and made 129/7, led by Kumar Sangakkara 65 (47), with Vinay Kumar 3/25 the pick of the KTK bowlers. KTK replied with 74, Ravindra Jadeja 23 (35) top-scoring as Ishant Sharma 5/12 did the damage for DCG. DCG won by 55 runs. Player of the match: Ishant Sharma.
- Lasith Malinga 5/13. Bowling for Mumbai Indians against Delhi Daredevils, he took 5 for 13 in 3.4 overs, and MI won. 10 Apr 2011, Feroz Shah Kotla: DC batted first and made 95, led by Naman Ojha 29 (30), with Lasith Malinga 5/13 the pick of the MI bowlers. MI replied with 99/2, Sachin Tendulkar 46* (50) top-scoring. MI won by 8 wickets. Player of the match: Lasith Malinga.
- Ankit Rajpoot 5/14. Bowling for Kings XI Punjab against Sunrisers Hyderabad, he took 5 for 14 in 4.0 overs, and PBKS lost. 26 Apr 2018, Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium: SRH batted first and made 132/6, led by Manish Pandey 54 (51), with Ankit Rajpoot 5/14 the pick of the PBKS bowlers. PBKS replied with 119, KL Rahul 32 (26) top-scoring as Rashid Khan 3/19 did the damage for SRH. SRH won by 13 runs. Player of the match: Ankit Rajpoot.
- Mark Wood 5/14. Bowling for Lucknow Super Giants against Delhi Capitals, he took 5 for 14 in 4.0 overs, and LSG won. 1 Apr 2023, Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium: LSG batted first and made 193/6, led by Kyle Mayers 73 (38), with Khaleel Ahmed 2/30 the pick of the DC bowlers. DC replied with 143/9, David Warner 56 (48) top-scoring as Mark Wood 5/14 did the damage for LSG. LSG won by 50 runs. Player of the match: Mark Wood.
- Andre Russell 5/15. Bowling for Kolkata Knight Riders against Mumbai Indians, he took 5 for 15 in 2.0 overs, and KKR lost. 13 Apr 2021, MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk): MI batted first and made 152, led by Suryakumar Yadav 56 (36), with Andre Russell 5/15 the pick of the KKR bowlers. KKR replied with 142/7, Nitish Rana 57 (47) top-scoring as Rahul Chahar 4/27 did the damage for MI. MI won by 10 runs. Player of the match: Rahul Chahar.
- Ravindra Jadeja 5/16. Bowling for Chennai Super Kings against Deccan Chargers, he took 5 for 16 in 4.0 overs, and CSK won. 7 Apr 2012, Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium: CSK batted first and made 193/6, led by Ravindra Jadeja 48 (29), with Dale Steyn 2/25 the pick of the DCG bowlers. DCG replied with 119, Cameron White 23 (16) top-scoring as Ravindra Jadeja 5/16 did the damage for CSK. CSK won by 74 runs. Player of the match: Ravindra Jadeja.
- James Faulkner 5/16. Bowling for Rajasthan Royals against Sunrisers Hyderabad, he took 5 for 16 in 4.0 overs, and RR lost. 17 May 2013, Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium: SRH batted first and made 136/9, led by Biplab Samantray 55 (46), with James Faulkner 5/16 the pick of the RR bowlers. RR replied with 113/9, Kevon Cooper 26 (12) top-scoring as Amit Mishra 2/8 did the damage for SRH. SRH won by 23 runs. Player of the match: Amit Mishra.
- Amit Mishra 5/17. Bowling for Delhi Daredevils against Deccan Chargers, he took 5 for 17 in 4.0 overs, and DC won. 15 May 2008, Feroz Shah Kotla: DC batted first and made 194/4, led by Gautam Gambhir 79 (48), with Pragyan Ojha 2/19 the pick of the DCG bowlers. DCG replied with 182/9, Rohit Sharma 35 (18) top-scoring as Amit Mishra 5/17 did the damage for DC. DC won by 12 runs. Player of the match: Amit Mishra.
- Andrew Tye 5/17. Bowling for Gujarat Lions against Rising Pune Supergiant, he took 5 for 17 in 4.0 overs, and GL won. 14 Apr 2017, Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium: RPS batted first and made 171/8, led by Steve Smith 43 (28), with Andrew Tye 5/17 the pick of the GL bowlers. GL replied with 172/3, Brendon McCullum 49 (32) top-scoring. GL won by 7 wickets. Player of the match: Andrew Tye.
- Harbhajan Singh 5/18. Bowling for Mumbai Indians against Chennai Super Kings, he took 5 for 18 in 4.0 overs, and MI won. 22 Apr 2011, Wankhede Stadium: MI batted first and made 164/4, led by Rohit Sharma 87 (48), with Doug Bollinger 2/30 the pick of the CSK bowlers. CSK replied with 156/9, Subramaniam Badrinath 71* (48) top-scoring as Harbhajan Singh 5/18 did the damage for MI. MI won by 8 runs. Player of the match: Harbhajan Singh.
- Wanindu Hasaranga 5/18. Bowling for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Sunrisers Hyderabad, he took 5 for 18 in 4.0 overs, and RCB won. 8 May 2022, Wankhede Stadium: RCB batted first and made 192/3, led by Faf du Plessis 73* (50), with Jagadeesha Suchith 2/30 the pick of the SRH bowlers. SRH replied with 125, Rahul Tripathi 58 (37) top-scoring as Wanindu Hasaranga 5/18 did the damage for RCB. RCB won by 67 runs. Player of the match: Wanindu Hasaranga.
- Sandeep Sharma 5/18. Bowling for Rajasthan Royals against Mumbai Indians, he took 5 for 18 in 4.0 overs, and RR won. 22 Apr 2024, Sawai Mansingh Stadium: MI batted first and made 179/9, led by Tilak Varma 65 (45), with Sandeep Sharma 5/18 the pick of the RR bowlers. RR replied with 183/1, Yashasvi Jaiswal 104* (60) top-scoring. RR won by 9 wickets. Player of the match: Sandeep Sharma.
- Sunil Narine 5/19. Bowling for Kolkata Knight Riders against Kings XI Punjab, he took 5 for 19 in 4.0 overs, and KKR lost. 15 Apr 2012, Eden Gardens: PBKS batted first and made 134/9, led by Mandeep Singh 38 (34), with Sunil Narine 5/19 the pick of the KKR bowlers. KKR replied with 132/7, Deep Dasgupta 35* (23) top-scoring as Piyush Chawla 3/18 did the damage for PBKS. PBKS won by 2 runs. Player of the match: Sunil Narine.
Who Holds It Now and How It Was Set
The record belongs to Alzarri Joseph 6/12, set on 6 Apr 2019 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Bowling for Mumbai Indians against Sunrisers Hyderabad, he took 6 for 12 in 3.4 overs, and MI won.
How the Record Has Changed Hands Over the Years
| Date | Record | Season |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Apr 2008 | Glenn McGrath 4/29 | 2008 |
| 4 May 2008 | Sohail Tanvir 6/14 | 2008 |
| 6 Apr 2019 | Alzarri Joseph 6/12 | 2019 |
The record has been set or broken 3 times: Glenn McGrath 4/29 in 2008; Sohail Tanvir 6/14 in 2008; Alzarri Joseph 6/12 in 2019. It has stood since 6 Apr 2019.
Season-by-Season Best
| Season | Best that season | Entries on the full list |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Sohail Tanvir 6/14 | 11 |
| 2009 | Anil Kumble 5/5 | 12 |
| 2010 | Doug Bollinger 4/13 | 6 |
| 2011 | Ishant Sharma 5/12 | 13 |
| 2012 | Ravindra Jadeja 5/16 | 18 |
| 2013 | James Faulkner 5/16 | 10 |
| 2014 | Ravindra Jadeja 4/12 | 12 |
| 2015 | Ashish Nehra 4/10 | 14 |
| 2016 | Adam Zampa 6/19 | 14 |
| 2017 | Andrew Tye 5/17 | 10 |
| 2018 | Ankit Rajpoot 5/14 | 9 |
| 2019 | Alzarri Joseph 6/12 | 10 |
| 2020 | Varun Chakravarthy 5/20 | 8 |
| 2021 | Andre Russell 5/15 | 13 |
| 2022 | Jasprit Bumrah 5/10 | 25 |
| 2023 | Akash Madhwal 5/5 | 23 |
| 2024 | Sandeep Sharma 5/18 | 13 |
| 2025 | Mitchell Starc 5/35 | 18 |
| 2026 | Mohsin Khan 5/23 | 18 |
2019: Alzarri Joseph 6/12. 2020: Varun Chakravarthy 5/20. 2021: Andre Russell 5/15. 2022: Jasprit Bumrah 5/10. 2023: Akash Madhwal 5/5. 2024: Sandeep Sharma 5/18. 2025: Mitchell Starc 5/35. 2026: Mohsin Khan 5/23.
Active Players Closest to Breaking It
| Player | Best | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Jasprit Bumrah | Jasprit Bumrah 5/10 | 2022 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | Ravindra Jadeja 5/16 | 2012 |
| Sandeep Sharma | Sandeep Sharma 5/18 | 2024 |
| Sunil Narine | Sunil Narine 5/19 | 2012 |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Bhuvneshwar Kumar 5/19 | 2017 |
| Varun Chakravarthy | Varun Chakravarthy 5/20 | 2020 |
| Mohsin Khan | Mohsin Khan 5/23 | 2026 |
| Jaydev Unadkat | Jaydev Unadkat 5/25 | 2013 |
| Harshal Patel | Harshal Patel 5/27 | 2021 |
| Yash Thakur | Yash Thakur 5/30 | 2024 |
The closest current challenger is Jasprit Bumrah, with Jasprit Bumrah 5/10 in 2022. Scoring rates in the IPL have risen sharply since 2023, so records like this are under more pressure than ever.
Related Records Worth Knowing
Related record pages: IPL Purple Cap winners, IPL Orange Cap winners, fastest century in IPL history, most sixes in IPL history, most wickets in IPL history, and the full IPL records section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who holds the record for best bowling figures in the IPL?
Alzarri Joseph 6/12, on 6 Apr 2019.
When was this record set?
On 6 Apr 2019 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, and it still stands as of the end of IPL 2026.
Has this record ever been broken twice by the same player?
No. Each time it has been broken, a different player has done it.