Most Expensive Overs in IPL History -Bowlers Who Conceded the Most Runs in an over in IPL
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is known for its high-scoring matches and explosive batting performances. In the 15 years since its inception, the IPL has seen some of the most devastating innings by batsmen who have taken bowlers to the cleaners.
While batsmen going berserk and smashing bowlers all over the park is common in T20 cricket, there have been some exceptionally expensive overs bowled in the IPL, where bowlers have been hit for 30+ runs in a single over. These expensive overs, where bowlers get tonked all over the ground, are certainly hard to forget for the fans.
In this article, we take a look at the 10 most expensive overs in IPL history and the carnage unleashed by batsmen in these overs.
Sr.No. | Batter | Bowler | Runs | Run Sequence | Batter’s Contribution | Match | Date |
1 | Chris Gayle | Prasanth Parameswaran | 37 | 6, 6nb,4,4,6,6,4 | Chris Gayle (36) | RCB vs KTK | May 8, 2011 |
2 | Ravindra Jadeja | Harshal Patel | 37 | 6,6, 6nb, 6, 2, 6, 4 | Ravindra Jadeja (36) | CSK vs RCB | April 25, 2021 |
3 | Pat Cummins | Daniel Sams | 35 | 6,4,6,6,2nb,4,6 | Pat Cummins (34) | KKR vs MI | April 6, 2022 |
4 | Suresh Raina | Parvinder Awana | 33 | 6,6,4,4,4nb,4,4 | Suresh Raina (32) | KXIP vs CSK | May 30, 2014 |
5 | Chris Gayle and Manoj Tiwary | Ravi Bopara | 33 | 1, 6,6,6,6,5wd, 2wd, 1 | Chris Gayle (24), Manoj Tiwary (2) | KKR vs KXIP | April 4, 2010 |
6 | Saurabh Tiwary and Chris Gayle | Rahul Sharma | 31 | 1,6,6,6,6,6 | Chris Gayle (30), Saurabh Tiwary (1) | RCB vs PWI | April 17, 2012 |
7 | Virender Sehwag | Andrew Symonds | 30 | 4,6,4,6,46 | Virender Sehwag (30) | DC vs DD | April 22, 2008 |
8 | Shaun Marsh | Johan van der Wath | 30 | 6,6,4,4,4,6 | Shaun Marsh (30) | KXIP vs RCB | May 17, 2011 |
9 | Virat Kohli | Shivil Kaushik | 30 | 6,4,6,6,6,2 | Virat Kohli (30) | RCB vs GL | May 14, 2016 |
10 | Rahul Tewatia | Sheldon Cottrell | 30 | 6,6,6,6,0,6 | Rahul Tewatia (30) | KXIP vs RR | September 27, 2020 |
11 | Pat Cummins | Sam Curran | 30 | 2,6,6,6,4,6 | Pat Cummins (30) | CSK vs KKR | April 21, 2021 |
Top 10 Most Expensive Overs in IPL History
The IPL has witnessed bowlers being clobbered for 30 or more runs in a single over on numerous occasions. Let’s take a look at the 10 most expensive overs bowled in IPL history. One over in IPL, however, stands out as particularly calamitous.
1. 37 Runs – Chris Gayle off Prasanth Parameswaran in 2011
In IPL 2011, during a match between Kochi Tuskers Kerala and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Chris Gayle delivered one of the most destructive displays of batting, smashing 37 runs off a single over by Prasanth Parameswaran.
Gayle’s carnage included 6, 6 (off a no-ball), 4, 4, 6, 6, and 4, with his individual contribution being 36 runs. This incredible over remains the joint-most expensive over in IPL history.
2. 37 Runs – Ravindra Jadeja off Harshal Patel in 2021, highest runs in one over in IPL history
Ten years after Gayle’s amazing performance, Ravindra Jadeja, who is good at both batting and bowling, matched the record by hitting 37 runs in one over off Harshal Patel in 2021. Jadeja hit 6, 6 (which was a no-ball), 6, 2, 6, and 4 in that over, scoring 36 runs all by himself.
3. 35 Runs – Pat Cummins off Daniel Sams in 2022
In IPL 2022, Pat Cummins broke the record for the fastest IPL fifty off just 14 balls. In the process, he also hit 35 runs in an over off Daniel Sams – 6, 4, 6, 6, 2nb, 4, 6. Players who have scored at such a rapid pace often leave a lasting impact on the game.
4. 33 Runs – Suresh Raina off Parvinder Awana in 2014
In IPL 2014, Parwinder Awana, playing for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), found himself on the wrong side of history by delivering one of the most expensive overs in the league. This happened during Qualifier 2 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Suresh Raina went on a rampage, smashing Awana for 32 runs in the 20th over, which included 6, 6, 4, 4, 4 (off a no-ball), 4, and 4. Despite this, Punjab managed to win the game. They posted a massive 226 runs, led by a stunning century from Virender Sehwag. Raina’s blistering 87 off just 25 balls gave CSK hope, but they fell short, finishing with 202.
Awana had a tough outing, conceding 59 runs in four overs. Over his IPL career, the medium-pacer played 33 matches and picked up 39 wickets, but this expensive over remains a memorable highlight for fans.
5. 31 Runs – Chris Gayle and Manoj Tiwary off Ravi Bopara in 2013
In IPL 2010, Ravi Bopara delivered one of the most expensive overs in the league’s history while playing for Kings XI Punjab. Facing the destructive Chris Gayle, Bopara conceded 33 runs in a single over, which included 1, 6, 6, 6, 6, 5 wides, 2 wides, and 1.
Gayle’s quickfire 88 off 42 balls helped Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) set a challenging target of 201. However, Punjab chased it down comfortably in just 18.2 overs, thanks to a stunning unbeaten 110 off 59 balls by Mahela Jayawardene. Overall, Bopara conceded 43 runs in his three overs during the game.
Interestingly, Bopara shares the record for the most expensive over in IPL with Parwinder Awana, who also gave away 33 runs in a single over. Despite such moments, Bopara’s career highlights include being one of the few Sikh cricketers to represent England and playing 24 IPL matches, where he picked up 11 wickets.
6. 31 Runs – Chris Gayle and Saurabh Tiwary off Rahul Sharma in 2011
In the 21st match of IPL 2012 at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium, Rahul Sharma, representing Pune Warriors India, had a rough outing against the mighty Chris Gayle. In one over, Sharma conceded 31 runs, with Gayle smashing 30 of them. The over unfolded with a sequence of 1, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, as Gayle displayed his trademark power-hitting, supported briefly by Saurabh Tiwary.
Pune had earlier put up a competitive total of 182, thanks to a half-century from Robin Uthappa. However, their bowling failed to contain Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), who chased down the target comfortably.
Rahul Sharma, who played 44 IPL matches and claimed 40 wickets in his career, had this forgettable over etched in IPL history.
7. 30 Runs – Virender Sehwag off Andrew Symonds in 2008
In the inaugural season of IPL in 2008, Virender Sehwag became the first player to score 30 runs in a single over, creating history against Andrew Symonds. Playing for Delhi Daredevils, Sehwag smashed Symonds for 4, 6, 4, 6, 4, and 6 in one devastating over. His blistering knock of 94 off just 41 balls was a masterclass in aggressive batting.
The match between Deccan Chargers and Delhi Daredevils was a high-scoring thriller. Chasing a massive target of 214, Rajasthan Royals managed to secure victory with just one ball to spare, making it a memorable game from the inaugural IPL season. Sehwag’s record-breaking over remains a standout moment in IPL history.
8. 30 Runs – Shaun Marsh off Johan van der Wath in 2008
Shaun Marsh hit 6, 6, 4, 4, 4, 6 in an over off van der Wath’s bowling, becoming the second player to hit 30 runs in an IPL over.
9. 30 Runs – Virat Kohli off Shivil Kaushik in 2016
Virat Kohli carted the young Shivil Kaushik for 30 runs – 6, 4, 6, 6, 6, 2 – in an IPL 2016 league match.
10. 30 Runs – Rahul Tewatia off Sheldon Cottrell in 2020
In one of the most thrilling moments of IPL 2020, Rahul Tewatia delivered a game-changing performance against Kings XI Punjab in Sharjah. Chasing a massive target of 224 set by Punjab, thanks to Mayank Agarwal’s brilliant 106 off 50 balls, Rajasthan Royals seemed to be falling short as the match entered its final overs.
The turning point came in the 18th over when Tewatia took on Sheldon Cottrell, smashing five sixes in an over with a sequence of 6, 6, 6, 6, 0, 6. This stunning 30-run over completely shifted the momentum in Rajasthan’s favor. Cottrell, who conceded 52 runs in his three overs, was left stunned by the assault.