Deadly Finishers: 10 Best Death Bowlers in IPL Who Dominate the Final Overs
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19th and 20th Over Kings: The Most Dangerous Best Death Bowlers in IPL History
The excitement of the Indian Premier League is set to begin in just a few days; in the cricket world’s biggest league, fans will witness thrilling clashes featuring explosive batsmen and bowlers delivering deadly yorkers.
IPL 2026 is scheduled to commence on March 28th, and the BCCI has already released the schedule for the first 20 matches. The opening match will be played between RCB and SRH at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, starting at 7:30 PM.
RCB won the trophy for the very first time last season, while SRH has managed to claim this title only once—back in 2016. In the 2024 final, KKR defeated the Sunrisers.
Speaking of the IPL’s top 10 best death bowlers, the first name on the list is Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga—a bowler whose deadly yorkers were so lethal that even in-form batsmen would often lose their wickets against them.
While Malinga is no longer playing in the IPL as a player, he currently serves as the bowling coach for MI. Ranking second on the list is the West Indies star cricketer Dwayne Bravo, also popularly known as “DJ Bravo.”
Dwayne Bravo is undoubtedly one of the best death bowlers in IPL, having consistently claimed crucial wickets during the final two overs of an innings.
Also featuring in the list of the top 10 best death bowlers in IPL is India’s ace fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah. His deceptive slower yorkers wreaked havoc during the recent T20 World Cup, leaving batsmen completely unable to decipher his unique bowling style.
So, let’s take a look at the top 10 best death bowlers in IPL and their respective records.
Top 10 death bowlers in ipl
| Rank | Player | Specialization |
| 1 | Lasith Malinga | Deadly yorkers |
| 2 | Jasprit Bumrah | Slower yorkers |
| 3 | Dwayne Bravo | Slower Ball |
| 4 | Bhuwneshwar Kumar | Swing+ Yorker |
| 5 | Kagiso Rabada | High Pace |
| 6 | Sunil Narine | Mystery Spin |
| 7 | Trent Bolt | Yorker Accuracy |
| 8 | Mitchel Starc | Deadly Toe-Crushing Yorker |
| 9 | Josh Hazlewood | Power Play wicket taker |
| 10 | Yash Dayal | High Pace & Tricky Variations |
1. Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga ipl stats
Deadly over specialist and highest wicket takers for Mumbai Indians. Currently he is bowling coach of this team. Mumbai Indian won total 5 title and Malinga was one of them match winning spell.
Lasith Maling IPL debut was 2009 for Mumbai Indians and he had total 170 wickets in Ipl Which also includes two five-wicket haul. Thats why Malings is in the top of best death bowlers in ipl.
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | WKTS | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 122 | 2827 | 3366 | 170 | 5/13 | 19.80 | 7.14 | 16.63 | 6 | 1 |
| 2019 | 12 | 269 | 438 | 16 | 4/31 | 27.37 | 9.76 | 16.81 | 2 | 0 |
| 2017 | 12 | 269 | 382 | 11 | 2/5 | 34.72 | 8.52 | 24.45 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 15 | 360 | 444 | 24 | 4/23 | 18.50 | 7.40 | 15.00 | 1 | 0 |
| 2014 | 10 | 235 | 253 | 16 | 4/23 | 15.81 | 6.45 | 14.68 | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 | 17 | 392 | 468 | 20 | 3/39 | 23.40 | 7.16 | 19.60 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | 14 | 333 | 350 | 22 | 4/16 | 15.90 | 6.30 | 15.13 | 1 | 0 |
| 2011 | 16 | 378 | 375 | 28 | 5/13 | 13.39 | 5.95 | 13.50 | 0 | 1 |
| 2010 | 13 | 294 | 344 | 15 | 4/22 | 22.93 | 7.02 | 19.60 | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 | 13 | 297 | 312 | 18 | 3/11 | 17.33 | 6.30 | 16.50 | 0 | 0 |
2. Dwayne Bravo
Dwayne Bravo ipl stats
Slower ball specialist and he was finisher for Chennai Super kings, held the record of most death overs wickets and had excllend variations and yorkers.
Dwayne Bravo better knows as DJ Bravo has ipl debut in 2009 for CSK and he had 183 total wicktes and many of them in death overs. Bravo is still in no-02 position in the list of top 10 death bowlers in ipl.
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | WKTS | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 161 | 3120 | 4359 | 183 | 4/22 | 23.82 | 8.38 | 17.05 | 2 | 0 |
| 2022 | 10 | 206 | 299 | 16 | 3/20 | 18.69 | 8.71 | 12.88 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 11 | 202 | 263 | 14 | 3/24 | 18.78 | 7.81 | 14.42 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 6 | 126 | 180 | 6 | 3/37 | 30.00 | 8.57 | 21.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 12 | 247 | 330 | 11 | 3/33 | 30.00 | 8.01 | 22.45 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 16 | 321 | 533 | 14 | 2/16 | 38.07 | 9.96 | 22.92 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 15 | 336 | 494 | 17 | 4/22 | 29.05 | 8.82 | 19.76 | 1 | 0 |
| 2015 | 17 | 314 | 426 | 26 | 3/22 | 16.38 | 8.14 | 12.07 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | 18 | 375 | 497 | 32 | 4/42 | 15.53 | 7.95 | 11.71 | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 | 19 | 346 | 461 | 15 | 2/10 | 30.73 | 7.99 | 23.06 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | 6 | 120 | 157 | 6 | 2/21 | 26.16 | 7.85 | 20.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | 10 | 157 | 228 | 4 | 2/11 | 57.00 | 8.71 | 39.25 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 11 | 199 | 259 | 11 | 3/34 | 23.54 | 7.80 | 18.09 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 9 | 171 | 232 | 11 | 3/24 | 21.09 | 8.14 | 15.54 | 0 | 0 |
3. Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah ipl stats
Jasprit Bumrah—Team India’s most reliable pacer and a player for the Mumbai Indians—ranks third on this list; his specialized slower yorker is truly unpredictable.
Bumrah proves to be at his most lethal under pressure, and his spells feature remarkable variation—including yorkers, slower deliveries, and short balls—making him one of the finest modern death bowlers in the IPL.
Bumrah made a sensational IPL debut in 2013, taking 3 wickets against RCB—a haul that included the wicket of Virat Kohli. In the history of the IPL, Bumrah has taken a total of 183 wickets; his best bowling figures stand at 5 wickets for just 10 runs, and he holds the record for claiming five-wicket hauls on four separate occasions.
Jasprit Bumrah will be in number one position in the list of Best death bowlers in Ipl soon.
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | WKTS | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 145 | 3337 | 4030 | 183 | 5/10 | 22.02 | 7.25 | 18.23 | 3 | 2 |
| 2025 | 12 | 284 | 316 | 18 | 4/22 | 17.56 | 6.68 | 15.78 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | 13 | 311 | 336 | 20 | 5/21 | 16.80 | 6.48 | 15.55 | 0 | 1 |
| 2022 | 14 | 320 | 383 | 15 | 5/10 | 25.53 | 7.18 | 21.33 | 0 | 1 |
| 2021 | 14 | 330 | 410 | 21 | 3/36 | 19.52 | 7.45 | 15.71 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 15 | 360 | 404 | 27 | 4/14 | 14.96 | 6.73 | 13.33 | 2 | 0 |
| 2019 | 16 | 370 | 409 | 19 | 3/20 | 21.52 | 6.63 | 19.47 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 14 | 324 | 372 | 17 | 3/15 | 21.88 | 6.88 | 19.05 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 16 | 356 | 439 | 20 | 3/7 | 21.95 | 7.39 | 17.80 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 14 | 312 | 406 | 15 | 3/13 | 27.06 | 7.80 | 20.80 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 4 | 90 | 184 | 3 | 1/38 | 61.33 | 12.26 | 30.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 11 | 238 | 301 | 5 | 2/22 | 60.20 | 7.58 | 47.60 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | 2 | 42 | 70 | 3 | 3/32 | 23.33 | 10.00 | 14.00 | 0 | 0 |
4. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
This player, who plays for SRH, features in this list of best death bowlers in ipl due to his ability to take wickets in the final overs by delivering pinpoint yorkers. His combination of swing and yorkers is exceptional, and by bowling with discipline during the death overs, he saves crucial runs for his team.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar made his IPL debut in 2011 and has claimed a total of 198 wickets; his best figures stand at 5/19, and—much like Bumrah—he holds the record for three five-wicket hauls.
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | WKTS | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 190 | 4222 | 5412 | 198 | 5/19 | 27.33 | 7.69 | 21.32 | 2 | 2 |
| 2025 | 14 | 312 | 483 | 17 | 3/33 | 28.41 | 9.29 | 18.35 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 16 | 342 | 533 | 11 | 3/41 | 48.45 | 9.35 | 31.09 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 14 | 306 | 425 | 16 | 5/30 | 26.56 | 8.33 | 19.13 | 0 | 1 |
| 2022 | 14 | 313 | 383 | 12 | 3/22 | 31.92 | 7.34 | 26.08 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 11 | 252 | 335 | 6 | 1/16 | 55.83 | 7.97 | 42.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 4 | 85 | 99 | 3 | 2/25 | 33.00 | 6.98 | 28.33 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 15 | 354 | 461 | 13 | 2/24 | 35.46 | 7.81 | 27.23 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 12 | 277 | 354 | 9 | 3/26 | 39.33 | 7.66 | 30.77 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 14 | 314 | 369 | 26 | 5/19 | 14.19 | 7.05 | 12.07 | 0 | 1 |
| 2016 | 17 | 396 | 490 | 23 | 4/29 | 21.30 | 7.42 | 17.21 | 1 | 0 |
| 2015 | 14 | 310 | 407 | 18 | 3/26 | 22.61 | 7.87 | 17.22 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 14 | 319 | 354 | 20 | 4/14 | 17.70 | 6.65 | 15.95 | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 | 16 | 342 | 371 | 13 | 3/18 | 28.53 | 6.50 | 26.30 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | 11 | 234 | 281 | 8 | 2/9 | 35.12 | 7.20 | 29.25 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | 4 | 66 | 67 | 3 | 2/14 | 22.33 | 6.09 | 22.00 | 0 | 0 |
5. Mitchell Starc
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | WKTS | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 52 | 1047 | 1503 | 65 | 5/35 | 23.12 | 8.61 | 16.11 | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 | 11 | 216 | 366 | 14 | 5/35 | 26.14 | 10.17 | 15.43 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 | 14 | 251 | 444 | 17 | 4/33 | 26.12 | 10.61 | 14.76 | 1 | 0 |
| 2015 | 13 | 258 | 291 | 20 | 4/15 | 14.55 | 6.76 | 12.90 | 1 | 0 |
| 2014 | 14 | 322 | 402 | 14 | 2/21 | 28.71 | 7.49 | 23.00 | 0 | 0 |
6. Trent Boult
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | WKTS | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 120 | 2683 | 3747 | 143 | 4/18 | 26.20 | 8.38 | 18.76 | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 | 16 | 346 | 517 | 22 | 4/26 | 23.50 | 8.97 | 15.73 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | 16 | 320 | 443 | 16 | 3/22 | 27.69 | 8.31 | 20.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 10 | 228 | 312 | 13 | 3/29 | 24.00 | 8.21 | 17.54 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 16 | 372 | 492 | 16 | 2/18 | 30.75 | 7.94 | 23.25 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 14 | 308 | 406 | 13 | 3/28 | 31.23 | 7.90 | 23.69 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 15 | 344 | 457 | 25 | 4/18 | 18.28 | 7.97 | 13.76 | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 | 5 | 114 | 163 | 5 | 2/27 | 32.60 | 8.57 | 22.80 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 14 | 316 | 466 | 18 | 2/20 | 25.88 | 8.84 | 17.55 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 6 | 143 | 216 | 5 | 2/30 | 43.20 | 9.06 | 28.60 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 1 | 24 | 39 | 1 | 1/39 | 39.00 | 9.75 | 24.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 7 | 168 | 236 | 9 | 3/19 | 26.22 | 8.42 | 18.66 | 0 | 0 |
7. Sunil Narine
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | WKTS | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 189 | 4346 | 4922 | 192 | 5/19 | 25.64 | 6.80 | 22.64 | 7 | 1 |
| 2025 | 12 | 270 | 351 | 12 | 3/13 | 29.25 | 7.80 | 22.50 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 15 | 330 | 368 | 17 | 2/22 | 21.65 | 6.69 | 19.41 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 14 | 288 | 383 | 11 | 3/33 | 34.82 | 7.98 | 26.18 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 14 | 336 | 312 | 9 | 2/21 | 34.67 | 5.57 | 37.33 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 14 | 336 | 361 | 16 | 4/21 | 22.56 | 6.44 | 21.00 | 1 | 0 |
| 2020 | 10 | 228 | 302 | 5 | 2/28 | 60.40 | 7.94 | 45.60 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 12 | 266 | 347 | 10 | 2/19 | 34.70 | 7.82 | 26.60 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 16 | 366 | 467 | 17 | 3/18 | 27.47 | 7.65 | 21.52 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 16 | 354 | 412 | 10 | 2/29 | 41.20 | 6.98 | 35.40 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 11 | 257 | 304 | 11 | 3/26 | 27.63 | 7.09 | 23.36 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 8 | 192 | 234 | 7 | 4/19 | 33.42 | 7.31 | 27.42 | 1 | 0 |
| 2014 | 16 | 384 | 407 | 21 | 4/20 | 19.38 | 6.35 | 18.28 | 2 | 0 |
| 2013 | 16 | 384 | 350 | 22 | 4/13 | 15.90 | 5.46 | 17.45 | 2 | 0 |
| 2012 | 15 | 355 | 324 | 24 | 5/19 | 13.50 | 5.47 | 14.79 | 1 | 1 |
8. Kagiso Rabada
South African fast bowler and consistent IPL performer Kagiso Rabada also features among the best death bowlers in the IPL; the Gujarat Titans acquired him for their squad specifically for his high pace and wicket-taking ability.
Rabada, who made his IPL debut in 2017, holds a personal best of 4/21.
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | WKTS | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 84 | 1902 | 2732 | 119 | 4/21 | 22.96 | 8.62 | 15.98 | 6 | 0 |
| 2025 | 4 | 84 | 162 | 2 | 1/41 | 81.00 | 11.57 | 42.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 11 | 252 | 372 | 11 | 2/18 | 33.82 | 8.86 | 22.91 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 6 | 138 | 232 | 7 | 2/34 | 33.14 | 10.09 | 19.71 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 13 | 288 | 406 | 23 | 4/33 | 17.65 | 8.46 | 12.52 | 2 | 0 |
| 2021 | 15 | 336 | 456 | 15 | 3/36 | 30.40 | 8.14 | 22.40 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 17 | 394 | 548 | 30 | 4/24 | 18.26 | 8.34 | 13.13 | 2 | 0 |
| 2019 | 12 | 282 | 368 | 25 | 4/21 | 14.72 | 7.82 | 11.28 | 2 | 0 |
| 2017 | 6 | 128 | 188 | 6 | 2/20 | 31.33 | 8.81 | 21.33 | 0 | 0 |
9. Josh Hazlewood
Josh Hazlewood, who was part of RCB’s winning squad in the 2025 IPL season, has claimed the highest number of wickets for his team during the death overs. In an IPL career spanning just five years, he has taken 57 wickets across 39 matches, with his best figures standing at 4/25.
After Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood’s name also features on the list of the best death bowlers in IPL.
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | WKTS | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 39 | 867 | 1196 | 57 | 4/25 | 20.98 | 8.28 | 15.21 | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 | 12 | 264 | 386 | 22 | 4/33 | 17.55 | 8.77 | 12.00 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | 3 | 54 | 76 | 3 | 2/15 | 25.33 | 8.44 | 18.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 12 | 279 | 377 | 20 | 4/25 | 18.85 | 8.11 | 13.95 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | 9 | 210 | 293 | 11 | 3/24 | 26.63 | 8.37 | 19.09 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 3 | 60 | 64 | 1 | 1/19 | 64.00 | 6.40 | 60.00 | 0 | 0 |
10. Yash Dayal
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | WKTS | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 43 | 871 | 1390 | 41 | 3/20 | 33.90 | 9.58 | 21.24 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 15 | 294 | 470 | 13 | 2/18 | 36.15 | 9.59 | 22.62 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 14 | 301 | 459 | 15 | 3/20 | 30.60 | 9.15 | 20.07 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 5 | 84 | 165 | 2 | 1/31 | 82.50 | 11.79 | 42.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 9 | 192 | 296 | 11 | 3/40 | 26.91 | 9.25 | 17.45 | 0 | 0 |
who is the number -01 best death bowlers in ipl
Lasith Maling held the position of number one in this list.
What is a death bowler in IPL?
A death bowler is a bowler who specializes in bowling during the final overs (usually 16–20) of a T20 match, where controlling runs and taking wickets is crucial.
