Worst Bowling Figures In IPL History: Most Runs Conceded in a Spell Revealed

The most expensive spell in IPL refers to the bowling figures where a bowler concedes the most runs in the allotted overs during a match. In T20 cricket, a bowler can bowl a maximum of four overs. If those four overs go bad, the damage becomes huge because in this format every ball counts.

Spells become “expensive” when a bowler bowls too many boundaries, loses control under pressure and allows the batsmen to completely dominate. The worst part is that IPL records are never forgotten. Bad spells are always associated with the bowler’s name. Fans remember them. Commentators mention them. Social media turns them into memes within minutes.

Most Expensive Spells in IPL History

1. Jofra Archer (0/76 in Four Overs)

Jofra Archer had one of the toughest spells in IPL history while playing for Rajasthan Royals against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Archer conceded 76 runs in four overs without taking a single wicket, which was the most expensive bowling spell in IPL history.

The havoc began when Travis Head attacked him brutally during the powerplay. Archer completely lost his rhythm, and the Hyderabad batsmen never let him recover. Each over seemed longer than the last.

2. Mohammed Shami (0/75 in Four Overs)

Mohammed Shami bowled the most expensive spell in IPL history during the match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

Shami gave away 75 runs in his four overs as Punjab Kings posted a mammoth score of 245 for 6. His spell included six fours and seven sixes. The scary thing was how easily the batsmen chose his lengths. Good balls disappeared. Short balls were pulled. Full deliveries broke straight back. It was one of those nights where nothing worked.

3. William O’Rourke (2/74 in Four Overs)

Lucknow Super Giants’ William O’Rourke had a very bad evening against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Eka Cricket Stadium on 27 May 2025.

Despite taking two wickets, O’Rourke conceded 74 runs in four overs. It shows you how brutal modern T20 batting has become. When boundaries keep raining down on every ball, wickets don’t matter. Bengaluru’s batsmen attacked from the start and never let the pressure build.

4. Mohit Sharma (0/73 in Four Overs)

Mohit Sharma, known for his clever slow ball and IPL experience, faced humiliation while bowling for Gujarat Titans against Delhi Capitals.

Mohit conceded 73 runs in his four overs without taking a single wicket. For the one-time Purple Cap-winning bowler, the spell was a painful reminder that IPL cricket can destroy reputations in a single evening. Delhi batsmen targeted him repeatedly and never allowed him to settle into a rhythm.

5. Basil Thampi (0/70 in Four Overs)

In 2018, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Basil Thampi had a poor performance against Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Thampi gave away 70 runs in four overs without taking a single wicket. RCB’s batting lineup attacked him mercilessly. It became one of the most talked about bowling disasters of that season.

6. Yash Dayal (0/69 in four overs)

Yash Dayal had a poor evening for Gujarat Titans against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2023.

Dayal gave away 69 runs in four overs and did not take a single wicket. The match became unforgettable due to the incredible onslaught of Kolkata’s finishers. The pressure kept increasing with every ball, and Dayal could not stop the flow of boundaries.

7. Xavier Bartlett (1/69 in four overs)

Punjab Kings’ Xavier Bartlett had a brutal evening against Delhi Capitals in Delhi on 25 April 2026.

Bartlett gave away 69 runs in his four overs while managing to take only one wicket. An economy rate of 17.25 tells the whole story. Delhi batsmen attacked him from the start and never let him settle. Even after taking the wicket, Bartlett could not stop the flow of boundaries.

8. Rees Topli (1/68 in four overs)

At the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Rees Topli dealt a complete blow to Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Despite Topli dismissing Abhishek Sharma, his final figures were 1/68. Abdul Samad completely ruined him with a boundary and a powerful six in his last over. Hyderabad crossed the record score of 263 runs, and Topli became the second victim of Chinnaswamy’s batting massacre.

9. Luke Wood (1/68 in four overs)

Mumbai Indians’ Luke Wood gave away 68 runs in four overs against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on 27 April 2024.

Despite taking one wicket, Wood struggled a lot with his line and length. Delhi batsmen attacked the square boundary freely and penalised every loose ball. The spell quickly became the most expensive in IPL history.

10. Arshdeep Singh (1/68 in four overs)

Arshdeep Singh of Punjab Kings had a poor time against Rajasthan Royals at New Chandigarh on 28 April 2026.

Arshdeep gave away 68 runs in his four overs and took just one wicket at an economy rate of 17.00. Rajasthan’s batting line-up attacked him aggressively from the start.

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