5 Most Expensive Spells In IPL History

Soumyajit Dutta

Mohammed Shami [Source: AP Photos]Mohammed Shami [Source: AP Photos]

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has long been a stage where bowlers walk a tightrope between glory and vulnerability. Even the most seasoned campaigners are not immune to nights where the ball refuses to obey, the boundaries seem smaller, and the batters turn relentless. 

Mohammed Shami, one of the league’s most lethal pacemakers, experienced this harsh reality firsthand during his team’s clash against Punjab Kings in Hyderabad on April 12. In light of his failure, let's take a look at some of the most expensive spells bowled in the history of IPL.

5) 0/69 by Yash Dayal (GT vs KKR)

In one of the most dramatic finishes in IPL history, Yash Dayal of Gujarat Titans conceded 31 runs in the final over against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 9, 2023, in Ahmedabad, leading to an incredible win for the visitors.

Chasing 205, KKR needed 29 off the last over, with Rinku Singh on strike. Dayal, tasked with defending the total, was smashed for five consecutive sixes by Rinku, who ended with an unbeaten 48 off 21 balls. Dayal finished with figures of 0/69 in 4 overs, at an economy rate of 17.25, making it one of the most expensive spells in IPL history and a forgettable outing for the left-arm seamer.

4) 0/70 by Basil Thampi (SRH vs RCB)

Basil Thampi endured a nightmare outing in Match 51 of the 2018 IPL, held on May 17 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

The right-arm pacer conceded 70 runs in his full quota of 4 overs, finishing with figures of 0/70 and an economy rate of 17.50—one of the most expensive spells in IPL history. 

Basil Thampi was dispatched to all parts of the ground by the likes of AB de Villiers, Moeen Ali, and Colin de Grandhomme, who powered RCB to a massive total of 218/6. Despite a strong batting response, SRH fell short by 14 runs, and Thampi's expensive spell was a major factor in the outcome.

3) 0/73 by Mohit Sharma (GT vs DC)

In Match 40 of the IPL 2024 season, played on April 24 in Delhi, Gujarat Titans' pacer Mohit Sharma endured one of his most expensive spells of the tournament. Facing a ruthless Delhi Capitals batting lineup, Mohit conceded 73 runs in his 4 overs without taking a wicket, finishing with an economy rate of 18.25. 

Mohit was taken apart by Rishabh Pant and Tristan Stubbs in the death overs, as DC posted a mammoth total of 224/4. The spell proved costly in the context of the game, with GT narrowly losing the high-scoring thriller by just 4 runs.

2) 0/75 by Mohammed Shami (SRH vs PBKS)

Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami had a forgettable day with the ball during the 27th match against SRH in IPL 2025. Leaking a staggering 75 runs in his full quota of four overs without taking a wicket, Shami was in shambles. His economy rate of 18.75 was the worst among all bowlers in the match, as batters targeted him relentlessly right from the outset. 

Shami struggled to contain the flow of runs, often missing his lengths, and was punished with ruthless aggression. The outing starkly contrasted his reputation as a dependable white-ball bowler, marking one of his most expensive T20 spells in recent memory.

1) 0/76 by Jofra Archer (RR vs SRH

Jofra Archer endured a torrid outing with the ball against SRH in the 2nd match of IPL 2025, conceding a massive 76 runs in his four overs, the most expensive spell of the match. Despite his reputation as a pace spearhead, Archer struggled to find rhythm or control, as batters took him apart with ease across all parts of the ground. 

Archer's economy rate of 19.00 not only dented his team's momentum but also highlighted the brutal nature of modern T20 batting when lines and lengths go awry with brutal bashings all the way around.