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5 Best Bowling figures on IPL debut

When the IPL started in 2008, nobody knew about the heights it would scale going forward. The enormity of the tournament and the buzz around it has just kept rising year after year to the extent that it is now considered on par with international cricket if not above it. Even international stars from around the world are willing to miss their national duties and be part of the tournament till its very end, indicating its importance in their growth as a cricketer. Throughout the history of IPL, we have seen several magnificent performances with both bat and ball, hogging the requisite limelight at that very stage. But in this article, we will be focusing on the bowlers, who caught our attention on their respective debuts. In the below piece, we look at 5 best bowling figures on IPL debut:

1. Alzarri Joseph (6-12)

The tall Windies pacer tops the list for best bowling figures on IPL debut, having conjured this spell during the 19th game between MI and SRH at Hyderabad in IPL 2019. Batting first, MI could post a mere total of 136-7 in their 20 overs, who reached there owing to innings of 46(26) by Pollard. Kaul was the pick of the bowler for SRH with 2-34.

Given the small target and strength of SRH batting line-up, many expected them to chase this down with a few overs to spare. But, changing the course of the match completely with his brilliant figures of 6-12 with one maiden and economy rate of 3.27, Joseph helped MI in dismissing SRH for just 96 and winning the contest by 40 runs.

2. Andrew Tye (5-17)

One of the best T20 bowlers going around, Tye conjured this spell during the 13th game between RPS and GL at Rajkot in IPL 2017. Put into bat first, RPS posted a competitive total of 171-8 in their 20 overs, courtesy knocks of 43(28) by Smith and 33(17) by Tripathi. Tye picked a fifer for GL while giving away just 17 runs and maintaining an economy rate of 4.25.

In reply, the Gujarat side chased it down by 7 wickets and 12 balls to spare, on the back of innings of 47(30) by Smith and 49(32) by McCullum, justifying the brilliant effort put in by Tye during the first innings.

3. Shoaib Akhtar (4-11)

One of the fastest bowlers to grace the field of cricket, Akhtar produced this miraculous spell during the 35th game between KKR and DC at Kolkata in IPL 2008. Electing to bat first, KKR managed a paltry total of 133-6 in their 20 overs, owing to steady innings of 48(44) by Butt and 31(31) by Hussey. Both Maharoof and Yo Mahesh picked 2 wickets each for the Delhi-based franchise.

The chase, though, one of the easiest going around, was made to look one heck of a task courtesy mind-boggling spell of 4-11 by Akhtar, who gave away just 3.66 runs per over. It was Shukla, who brought down the curtains on a probable DC comeback, picking up 3-6 and helping KKR win by 23 runs.

4. Kevon Cooper (4-26)

A quality bowling all-rounder from West Indies, Cooper did this damage during the 4th game between RR and PBKS at Jaipur in IPL 2012. RR while batting first, posted a commanding total of 191-4 in their 20 overs, courtesy an extraordinary innings of 98(66) by Rahane. Left-armer Faulkner was the pick of the bowler for Punjab with 2-41.

In reply, the Punjab side was halted at 160-9 in their 20 overs, owing to a mesmerizing spell of 4-26 by Cooper, who maintained an economy rate of 6.50. The Rajasthan side rightly won the contest by 31 runs and exerted their impact in home conditions.

5. David Wiese (4-33)

Another bowling all-rounder but from South Africa, Wiese pulled off these figures during the 16th game between MI and RCB at Bengaluru in IPL 2015. The Mumbai side, who batted first, posted a massive total of 209-7 in their 20 overs, on the back of scintillating knocks of 59(44) by Simmons, 58(37) by Chand and 42(15) by Rohit. Wiese bowled one of the best spells at the batting paradise of Bengaluru, picking 4 for 33 at 8.25 runs per over.

In response, the home team was restricted to 191-7 in their 20 overs, losing the contest by a convincing margin of 18 runs. Yet again, de Villiers hogged the limelight with 41(11) while Wiese showed his batting prowess, scoring 47(25) in an attempt to get RCB close to the MI total.

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