Jasprit Bumrah obvious inclusions among 8 bowlers with most maidens in IPL – several surprises among the other 7
Bowling a maiden in Test cricket is very standard fare. The batsmen aren’t looking to score as aggressively as they do in the white-ball game, and the rules which determine what is a legitimate ball are far more lenient than they are in the shorter games, where it is expected that the batsmen should be able to score off every ball.
It all means that bowling a maiden in T20 cricket is extremely rare. It is so rare, in fact, that only four bowlers have managed ten or more maidens in an Indian Premier League career.
Given the quality of players who have appeared in franchise cricket’s premier competition, the number of total maidens bowled is astoundingly low.
Here’s a quick run-through of those bowlers who have managed one of T20 cricket’s toughest feats on multiple occasions in the Indian Premier League.
8. Sandeep Sharma – 8 IPL maidens from 506.5 overs
Sandeep Sharma has been a reliable powerplay bowler in the IPL since he made his first appearance for Punjab Kings in 2013. Since then, he has also gone on to represent Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals (where he finds himself at the moment). Known for his ability to swing the ball both ways Sharma has a total of 146 IPL wickets to his credit. His eight maidens reflect his ability to keep things tight early on, putting pressure on opposition openers. Despite his relatively high economy rate, his knack for getting early breakthroughs and his clever variations have made him a valuable asset.
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7. Lasith Malinga – 8 IPL maidens from 471.1 overs
The highest wicket-taker in IPL history for a long time, Lasith Malinga’s reputation was built on his deadly yorkers and his unconventional action. Bowling maidens in T20 cricket is tough, but Malinga’s accuracy, especially at the death, allowed him to achieve this feat eight times. His ability to bowl perfect yorkers and slower balls made him a nightmare for even the best batsmen who struggled at the best of times to handle his skiddy action.
6. Jasprit Bumrah – 8 IPL maidens from 540.5 overs
Jasprit Bumrah is one of the most feared bowlers in world cricket, and his record in the IPL is a testament to his skill. Whether bowling with the new ball or at the death, Bumrah’s precision, pace, and variety have earned him eight maidens. His deceptive slower balls and pinpoint yorkers are his primary weapons. But his reputation comes before him and Bumrah is often treated with reverence by opposition batters who prefer to see him off rather than take him on.
5. Dhawal Kulkarni – 8 IPL maidens from 297.5 overs
Dhawal Kulkarni may not have the pace of some of the other bowlers on this list, but his ability to hit the right lengths has helped him bowl eight maidens in his IPL career. Primarily used in the powerplay, his subtle seam movement and disciplined lines have made him difficult to score off. No longer active in the IPL, Kulkarni claimed 86 wickets in eth IPL playing for Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Lions.
4. Irfan Pathan – 10 IPL maidens from 340.3 overs
A talented all-rounder, Irfan Pathan’s left-arm swing was a major weapon early in his career. His ability to swing the ball back into the right-hander made him a threat, especially with the new ball. His ten maidens in the IPL are a testament to his ability to maintain pressure on the batsmen. Long since retired the legendary Pathan represented five different teams in IPL – Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Gujarat Lions and Rising Pune Supergiant.
3. Trent Boult – 11 IPL maidens from 431.4 overs
New Zealand quick Trent Boult’s left-arm pace and ability to swing the ball have made him a dangerous bowler in any format. A veteran of the franchise circuit, Boult is one of the greatest white-ball bowlers of all time. His eleven maidens in the IPL are a reflection of his ability to start innings economically, regularly troubling top-order batsmen with his swing and accuracy. Now bowling at the top of the order with Jasprit Bumrah at Mumbai Indians the duo make a fearsome combination.
2. Praveen Kumar – 14 IPL maidens from 420.4 overs
Known for his impeccable control and ability to swing the ball both ways, Praveen Kumar has bowled more maidens in the IPL than most of his peers. His ability to hit a consistent line and length made him a difficult bowler to attack, particularly in the powerplay. Praveen ended his IPL career with 90 teams, his ten seasons in IPL cricket spent playing for five different sides.
1. Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 14 IPL maidens from 689.4 overs
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been one of the most consistent Indian bowlers in IPL history. Whether with the new ball or at the death, his ability to swing the ball and execute pinpoint yorkers has allowed him to bowl 14 maidens, tied for the most in IPL history. His discipline and ability to keep batsmen guessing have been the key to his success – he sits top of this list by virtue of his average being better than his name-sake Praveen. Still starring for Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the age of 35, Bhuvneshwar has already taken 10 wickets this season and will be hoping to extend his total maidens bowled before the tournament comes to an end.
