In a game of batsmen, it is rare when a bowler rises to the occasion and dictates play. But when this does happen, it is remembered for quite some time. Here's listing bowlers with best match figures in the first 12 seasons of the IPL:
Alzarri Joseph (3.4-1-12-6)
The young pace sensation from West Indies, Alzarri Joseph was destined to bag the best IPL figures. He was initially not supposed to be at the IPL. It was due to an injury to Adam Milne that Joseph was roped in by Mumbai Indians in IPL 2019.
In his debut match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, he picked up six wickets from just 3.4 overs and gave away only 12 runs as Mumbai Indians defeated SRH by 40 runs. As Hyderabad could manage just 96 runs, Joseph also registered the best figures by an IPL debutant.
Sohail Tanvir (4-0-14-6)
Remember Sohail Tanvir? The medium pacer with an unusual wrong-footed action from Pakistan. The bowler is still plying his trade in various T20 leagues across the world. After having a good outing in the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup, Tanvir had a stellar season for Rajasthan Royals in IPL's first season.
In fact, Tanvir ended up as the winner of the Purple Cap that year with the most wickets in the tournament (22). The most impressive of them all was his six-fer against Chennai Super Kings. The Pakistani pacer conceded only 14 runs on the day and took Rajasthan to an easy victory as they chased down the 109-run total with eight wickets in the bank.
Adam Zampa (4-0-19-6)
Bought for just INR 30 lakhs by the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant in 2016, Adam Zampa was unfortunate to not get as many opportunities as he deserved in the season. Zampa may have made only five appearances for the team but proved his mettle by bagging 12 wickets.
In a match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Zampa wreaked havoc, pocketing career-best figures of 6/19. Unfortunately for Pune, they lost the match to David Warner and company by four runs as only George Bailey and MS Dhoni managed to score 30 or more runs.
Anil Kumble (3.1-1-5-5)
Defending champions Rajasthan Royals were given a taste of their own medicine in 2008 when a star-studded Royal Challengers Bangalore faced them. Anil Kumble led the way with a fifer. With crucial wickets of Yusuf Pathan and Ravindra Jadeja, Kumble conceded just five runs from his 3.1 overs.
