The IPL has witnessed some extraordinary bowling performances over the years, but not every spell goes according to plan. On March 23, 2025, a new record was set for the most expensive spell in IPL history, with a bowler conceding 76 runs in four overs without taking a wicket while playing against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
Before this, Mohit Sharma held the second spot, and Basil Thampi ranked third for the most expensive spells in IPL history.
In this blog, we will break down the top-most expensive spells in IPL, analyze what went wrong, and understand how even top bowlers can have an off day on the biggest stage.
Top 10 Most Expensive Spells In IPL History
Jofra Archer holds the record for the most expensive spell, conceding 76 runs in IPL history. Here’s a list of the top 10 most expensive spells in IPL:
| Bowler | Runs | Economy | Team | Against | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jofra Archer | 76 | 19.00 | RR | SRH | 2025 |
| Mohammed Shami | 75 | 18.75 | SRH | PBKS | 2025 |
| Mohit Sharma | 73 | 18.25 | GT | DC | 2024 |
| Basil Thampi | 70 | 17.50 | SRH | RCB | 2018 |
| Yash Dayal | 69 | 17.25 | GT | KKR | 2023 |
| Reece Topley | 68 | 17.00 | RCB | SRH | 2024 |
| Luke Wood | 68 | 17.00 | MI | DC | 2024 |
| Ishant Sharma | 66 | 16.50 | SRH | CSK | 2013 |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 66 | 16.50 | PBKS | SRH | 2019 |
| Arshdeep Singh | 66 | 17.21 | PBKS | MI | 2023 |
Now you know all the top 10 players for the most expensive spell in IPL. Let’s see each player’s details:
1. Jofra Archer
In an IPL 2025 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals’ pacer Jofra Archer recorded the most expensive bowling figures in the tournament’s history, conceding 76 runs in his four-over spell without taking a wicket.
This surpassed the previous record of 73 runs conceded by Mohit Sharma in 2024. Archer faced aggressive batting from Travis Head, Ishan Kishan, and Heinrich Klaasen, with Ishan Kishan being particularly dominant, scoring an unbeaten 106 off 47 balls.
This onslaught contributed to Sunrisers Hyderabad’s formidable total of 286 for six, the second-highest in IPL history. Despite a valiant effort, the Rajasthan Royals fell short, finishing at 242 for six.
2. Mohammed Shami
In the IPL 2025 match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings, Mohammed Shami delivered the second-most expensive bowling spell in the tournament’s history, conceding 75 runs in his four-over spell with an economy rate of 18.75.
This performance came shortly after Jofra Archer set the record for the most expensive spell. Playing the match in Hyderabad on April 12, 2025, Shami failed to take any wickets as the Punjab Kings batsmen launched a relentless attack against him.
3. Mohit Sharma
In the IPL 2024 match between the Gujarat Titans and the Delhi Capitals, Mohit Sharma delivered the most expensive bowling spell in the tournament’s history, conceding 73 runs in his four-over spell. This surpassed the previous record held by Basil Thampi, who conceded 70 runs in 2018.
Delhi Capitals’ captain, Rishabh Pant, was particularly aggressive against Sharma, scoring 62 runs off 19 balls faced from him, including seven sixes and three fours.
In the final over, Pant scored 31 runs, boosting Delhi’s total to 224. This onslaught not only set a new benchmark for bowling figures but also highlighted Pant’s role in the match’s outcome.
4. Basil Thampi
Basil Thampi holds the record for the most expensive bowling spell in Indian Premier League (IPL) history. Playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the 2018 season, Thampi conceded 70 runs in his four-over spell.
This surpassed the previous record held by Ishant Sharma, who had given away 66 runs in a match against Chennai Super Kings in 2013.
During this match, both AB de Villiers and Moeen Ali were particularly aggressive against Thampi, each scoring heavily off his bowling. Their onslaught contributed to RCB’s formidable total of 218/6, ultimately leading to SRH’s 14-run defeat.
5. Yash Dayal
Yash Dayal, the left-arm pacer for the Gujarat Titans, delivered one of the most expensive spells in IPL history during a match against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2023. He conceded 69 runs in his four-over spell, placing him second on the list of highest runs conceded by a bowler in a single IPL match.
This unfortunate record was largely due to KKR’s Rinku Singh, who hit five consecutive sixes off Dayal in the final over, leading KKR to a remarkable victory. This onslaught not only sealed the game for KKR but also etched Dayal’s spell into the annals of IPL’s most expensive bowling performances.
6. Reece Topley
Reece Topley, playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), delivered one of the most expensive spells in IPL history during a 2024 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). In his four-over spell, Topley conceded 68 runs, placing him fourth on the list of highest runs conceded by a bowler in a single IPL innings.
SRH’s batsman, Travis Head, was relentless, with Head scoring a century that contributed to Topley’s expensive figures.
This onslaught propelled SRH to a record-breaking total of 287/3, underscoring the challenges Topley faced during the match.
7. Luke Wood
Luke Wood of Mumbai Indians faced a difficult outing against Delhi Capitals in Delhi on April 27, 2024, conceding 68 runs in his four-over spell with an economy rate of 17.00. Despite managing to take one wicket, Wood’s performance ranks among the most expensive in IPL history.
The Delhi Capitals batsmen targeted Wood consistently throughout his spell, contributing to a high total that put pressure on the Mumbai Indians in their chase.
8. Ishant Sharma
Ishant Sharma’s spell against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 2013 IPL season remains one of the most expensive in the tournament’s history. Playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Ishant conceded 66 runs in his 4-over spell without taking a wicket.
The onslaught began with Michael Hussey hitting two boundaries in Ishant’s first over. Murali Vijay then intensified the attack, smashing three sixes in the fifth over.
However, it was Suresh Raina who inflicted the most damage, scoring 25 runs in Ishant’s final over, which included four fours and a six. This relentless assault boosted CSK’s total to 223, leading to a 77-run victory over SRH.
9. Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Mujeeb Ur Rahman, the Afghan spinner, ranks among the bowlers with the most expensive spells in IPL history, having conceded 66 runs in his four-over spell against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the 2019 season.
This performance places him joint second in the list of most expensive bowling figures in the tournament’s history.
David Warner was aggressive against Mujeeb, contributing to the high run tally. Warner’s onslaught set the tone for SRH’s innings, leading them to a total and ultimately securing a 45-run victory over Kings XI Punjab.
10. Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep Singh’s spell against the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2023 ranks among the most expensive in the tournament’s history.
In that match, he conceded 66 runs in his 3.5-over spell, marking his career’s most costly performance. Ishan Kishan was aggressive, scoring heavily against Arshdeep, which impacted the game’s outcome.
This performance places Arshdeep alongside bowlers like Basil Thampi and Yash Dayal, who have also recorded some of the most expensive spells in IPL history.
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Conclusion: Jofra Archer Has The Record For The Most Expensive Spell In IPL
Jofra Archer currently holds the record for the most expensive spell in IPL history, conceding 76 runs in his four-over spell while playing for the Rajasthan Royals against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Other bowlers who have endured similarly expensive spells include Mohit Sharma and Basil Thampi, proving that even the best can have an off day.
With the tournament being played every year, these records are never set in stone. As the game evolves and power hitters continue to dominate, new bowlers may find themselves surpassing this unwanted record in future seasons.
