Over and over – Five bowlers who have delivered the most IPL overs
There have been 12 editions of the IPL with the 13th to commence shortly in UAE. The T20 tournament is one of the most popular cricket competitions and definitely the most successful T20 league. While batsmen have a scope of carrying their bat for 20 overs, bowlers can only show their skills for four overs. With incredibly long careers, many legends have managed to deliver more than 450 overs in the IPL. Here are the five bowlers who have delivered the most overs in the IPL.
Lasith Malinga – 471.1 overs
The doyen of T20 bowling, Malinga is renowned for his superb skill of bowling yorkers on demand. It was his last ball to Shardul Thakur in the IPL 2019 final which clinched the title for Mumbai Indians. In his IPL career, the Sri Lankan pacer has delivered 471.1 overs and has taken 170 wickets in them. 2011 was his peak season where he won the purple cap.
R Ashwin – 487.2 overs
The off-spinner has represented Chennai Super Kings, Rising Pune Supergiants and Kings XI Punjab in his 10 years of the IPL. Ashwin has bowled a total of 487.2 overs while claiming 125 scalps. His best season was 2011 where he snapped 20 wickets for CSK. Ashwin did miss a complete season in 2017 due to sports hernia.
Amit Mishra – 516.5 overs
The leggie has featured in every IPL season thus far. Mishra first played for Deccan Chargers, then went on to play for Delhi franchise and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Making 147 appearances in the T20 tournament, Mishra has a tally of 157 wickets. He is also the only bowler thus far to take three hat-tricks in the IPL. His best season was in 2013 where he grabbed 21 wickets in 17 matches.
Piyush Chawla – 520.4 overs
The leg-spinner has also featured in all seasons of the IPL played thus far. Chawla has represented only two teams in his long career – Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders. 2017 was the only edition where he played less than 10 matches. Chawla has played 157 IPL matches while sending out 520.4 overs. He has 150 scalps to his account and the inaugural season was his most successful where he collected 17 wickets.
Harbhajan Singh – 562.2 overs
India’s most successful off-spinner has been a key figure in every IPL edition thus far. Harbhajan has represented Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings thus far. In his 160-match career, the Turbanator has claimed 150 wickets. His most successful season was in 2013 where he took 24 wickets in 19 matches. In all, he has delivered 562.2 overs in the IPL – most by any bowler.
