List of Best Death Over Bowlers in IPL

Lasith Malinga — 90 Death-Over Wickets, Economy 7.82, Average 13.28

Mumbai Indians | All-Time Greatest Death-Over Bowler

Lasith Malinga is statistically and universally regarded as the greatest death-over bowler in IPL history. In the death overs (overs 17-20), he took 90 wickets at the extraordinary average of 13.28 and economy rate of 7.82 — both the best of any bowler with 25+ death-over wickets in IPL history. His round-arm slinging action produced toe-crushing yorkers that regularly beat even the best T20 batters in the final overs. His last-ball slower-ball yorker in the 2019 IPL final is the most celebrated death-over delivery in the tournament's history.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar — 84 Death-Over Wickets, Average 21.14

Sunrisers Hyderabad | Most Death-Over Wickets by an Indian Bowler

Bhuvneshwar Kumar holds the record for most death-over wickets by an Indian bowler in IPL history with 84 wickets in overs 17-20. His mastery of the slower ball, wide yorker, and off-cutters in the death overs has made him SRH's most consistent final-over option across 15 IPL seasons. He conceded 1,776 runs in the death overs across his career.

Jasprit Bumrah — 72+ Death-Over Wickets, Economy Improving to 7.8 (2019)

Mumbai Indians | Best Active Death-Over Bowler

Jasprit Bumrah is the best active death-over bowler in IPL history with 72+ wickets in the final 4 overs. His death-over economy improved dramatically from his early career (was 8.9 overall early on) to 7.8 by 2019, reflecting his mastery of yorkers and slower balls under pressure. Since 2018, his death-over strike rate has been 11.7 — the best of any active bowler with 50+ death wickets.

Dwayne Bravo — Death-Over Gold Standard (2013–2018)

Chennai Super Kings | Slower Ball Master | 2x Purple Cap

Dwayne Bravo was the gold standard of death-over bowling from 2013 through 2018. His signature chest-high slower ball angled into right-handers was almost impossible to time even when batters expected it. He won the Purple Cap in both 2013 and 2015, with large portions of both hauls coming in death overs. His slower ball record in the death overs (wickets taken specifically through slower deliveries) is the highest of any bowler in IPL history.

Ashish Nehra — Best Death-Over Strike Rate (9.8 balls per wicket)

Multiple Teams | Most Wickets at Sub-10 Balls Strike Rate

According to IPL data, Ashish Nehra holds the record for the best death-over strike rate (9.8 balls per wicket) among any bowler with 25+ death-over wickets. In the final four seasons of his IPL career (ending 2017), he took wickets every 9 balls in the death overs — a rate that surpasses even Malinga in terms of wicket frequency (though at a higher economy). His involvement as GT's first head coach in their debut title-winning 2022 season adds to his IPL legacy.

Harshal Patel — Best Death-Over Economy in 30+ Wicket Season (2021)

Royal Challengers Bangalore | 32 Wickets, Purple Cap 2021

Harshal Patel's IPL 2021 season — 32 wickets from 15 matches (equalling Bravo's all-time record) — was built primarily on death-over dominance. His knuckleball, wide yorker, and slower ball through the pitch were the key wicket-taking variations that drove him to the Purple Cap. He had the best death-over economy rate of any bowler with 25+ death-over wickets in IPL 2021, and also took a hat-trick that season.

Arshdeep Singh — Best Death-Over Bowler of the New Generation (2022-2025)

Punjab Kings | Emerging Death-Over Star

Arshdeep Singh has established himself as the best young death-over bowler in IPL cricket from 2022 to 2025. Playing for Punjab Kings, his 76+ wickets at a strike rate comparable to Malinga's early career and an economy rate in the death that improved each season make him the most promising death-over specialist of the current generation.

T. Natarajan — Yorker Specialist of Modern Era

Sunrisers Hyderabad | Left-Arm Yorker Machine

T. Natarajan is famous for bowling the most yorkers per over of any active IPL bowler. His left-arm action creates a natural angle for in-swingers to right-handers, and his ability to land full-length yorkers consistently in the death overs has made him SRH's and later other franchises' key death-over option in the modern era.