The Indian Premier League is known for big-hitting, big sixes and big scores. Many bowlers have had their harsh days over the years, where an attacking batter has ruthlessly clobbered them over the park in a matter of overs. This is what made for some of the most brutal bowling moments of IPL history, however, best I remember Steve is with these pricey bowling efforts.
In contemporary T20 cricket, even some of the best bowlers can go for runs at will, thanks to aggressive batting from ball one. Bowling in the IPL has become perhaps the most difficult job in the tournament, thanks to flat wickets, short boundaries and above all, aggressive batting.
In particular, the 2025 IPL season featured a number of massively high bowling totals, with teams routinely exceeding 220 and even 250. Apart from Deepak Hooda’s blistering 33 off 11, the young power-hitters Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen and, in particular, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi have broken record after record in terms of how quickly the score runs.
In this piece, we take a look at the latest list of the costliest spells by the bowlers in IPL history as in the highest runs conceded in an innings.
Most Expensive Spell in IPL History
| Rank | Bowler | Team | Runs Conceded | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jofra Archer | Rajasthan Royals | 76 Runs | 2025 |
| 2 | Mohammed Shami | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 75 Runs | 2025 |
| 3 | William O’Rourke | Lucknow Super Giants | 74 Runs | 2025 |
| 4 | Mohit Sharma | Gujarat Titans | 73 Runs | 2024 |
| 5 | Basil Thampi | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 70 Runs | 2018 |
| 6 | Yash Dayal | Gujarat Titans | 69 Runs | 2023 |
| 7 | Xavier Bartlett | Punjab Kings | 69 Runs | 2026 |
| 8 | Reece Topley | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 68 Runs | 2024 |
| 9 | Luke Wood | Mumbai Indians | 68 Runs | 2024 |
| 10 | Arshdeep Singh | Punjab Kings | 68 Runs | 2026 |
| 11 | Ishant Sharma | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 66 Runs | 2013 |
| 12 | Mujeeb Ur Rahman | Kings XI Punjab | 66 Runs | 2019 |
| 13 | Arshdeep Singh | Punjab Kings | 66 Runs | 2023 |
| 14 | Kwena Maphaka | Mumbai Indians | 66 Runs | 2024 |
| 15 | Umesh Yadav | Delhi Daredevils | 65 Runs | 2012 |
Jofra Archer
Speaking of new records, the most expensive spell in IPL history still belongs to Jofra Archer who conceded 76 runs while playing for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025. The spell came at a venue that was high-scoring with the batters needing to show little mercy- against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Although Archer’s record is studded with express pace and destructive bouncers, in the modern era of aggressive cricket there is little margin for error. It was however the perfect reminder of how tough bowling now is in T20 cricket.
Mohammed Shami
In the IPL 2025, Mohammed Shami is second on the list as he gave away 75 runs while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad. The costliest over came against a Punjab Kings batting lineup hell-bent to hammer the bowler from the first over of the innings. Even with his experience and ability to swing the new ball Shami failed to stop the power-hitters. The 2025 season again declared the defeat of the maestros, that even premier Indian fast bowlers get hammered on batting paradises with small straight boundaries.
William O’Rourke
In IPL 2025, Lucknow Super Giants’ William O’Rourke (74 runs conceded ) produced the third-most expensive bowling spell in IPL history. The young New Zealand pacer found it difficult to deal with the explosive top order at Royal Challengers Bengaluru. His spell showcased the enormous pressure young overseas bowlers must cope with when batting sides attempt to take the game to them from the opening delivery. Although an expensive outing, this will hopefully teach him a lesson in devising tactics in high pressure T20 encounters.
Mohit Sharma
In 2024, Mohit Sharma bowled 73 runs for Gujarat Titans, and that was the record until then. Mohit, who is known for his clever variations and slower balls, was no match for the attacking Delhi batters. It showed that even among the well-versed death bowlers with solid variations, the modern IPL batsman can be unrelenting. It was this performance which changed the record books so much.
Basil Thampi
Basil Thampi (SRH) – 70 runs against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2018 This was the highest bowling figure in IPL history for quite a few years. He struggled to make a comeback as batters pummeled him during the middle and death overs. His mark held strong until Mohit Sharma and the ultra-aggressive 2025 season blew it out the water.
Yash Dayal and Xavier Bartlett
Yash Dayal (Gujarat Titans, 2023), 69, and Xavier Bartlett (Punjab Kings, 2026), 69. Dayal was hammered in a high-scoring contest while paving the way for a 2026 whitewash of Bartlett against Delhi Capitals. Sadly, these spells came in seasons where the very art of batting was elevated to a new level of power. Such exorbitant figures had become more the norm thanks to inventive shooting and lazy intent from batters.
Arshdeep Singh Appears Twice on the List
Of the few bowlers, Arshdeep Singh appears on the list thrice. A mere 68 runs in April 2026, again in Mullanpur, was conceded to the Rajasthan Royals when he was taken to the cleaners in damaging fashion. Young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi went after him. His previous most expensive spell of 66 runs came against Mumbai Indians in 2023. While Arshdeep is a capable death bowler for Punjab Kings, the proclivity for repetition of high figures appear to afflict even the best bowlers in what is now a batter-dominated IPL.
Young Batters Are Changing IPL Cricket
IPL has moved into the phase where aggressive batting is supreme in almost every match. The days of young players seeking to settle in are gone, bowlers no longer get a chance to settle in. Some big-hitters like Abhishek Sharma,Urvil Patel and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi have accelerated the scoring rate drastically in the powerplay and death overs. It is no coincidence that this revolution has seen costly bowling spells increase in recent seasons.
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Conclusion
The most ever expensive overs in IPL History demonstrates how challenging bowling has become in T20 Cricket today. From Jofra Archer getting pasted for 76 runs in 2025 to multiple other hapless spells, even the best of bowlers can sometimes go the distance against fearless batting. That the IPL is now evolving into the tournament where powerhitters seeking boundaries in every balls with high-strike as well as massive totals. Bowling expensive overs is not easy for your colleagues but it adds more entertainment, excitement, and flavor to the mix that makes the IPL one of the most-watched sporting leagues globally.
FAQ
Who has the most expensive spell in IPL history?
Jofra Archer holds the record with 76 runs conceded in a single spell for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025.
Which bowler conceded 75 runs in an IPL match?
Mohammed Shami conceded 75 runs while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2025 season.
What is the highest runs conceded by a bowler in IPL before 2025?
Mohit Sharma conceded 73 runs in 2024, which was the highest at that time.
How many times has Arshdeep Singh appeared in the most expensive spells list?
Arshdeep Singh has appeared twice with 68 runs in 2026 and 66 runs in 2023.
Why are expensive bowling spells becoming more common in the IPL?
Due to ultra-aggressive batting, flat pitches, short boundaries, and power-hitters attacking from the first ball.
