Top 5 bowling spells that made IPL playoffs unforgettable

Published - 25 May 2026, 19:34 IST | Updated - 25 May 2026, 19:34 IST

The Indian Premier League 2026 playoffs are just one day away, with four teams battling for ultimate glory. While batters have dominated headlines throughout the season with explosive strokeplay and record-breaking totals, history has repeatedly shown that bowlers are the true match-winners in pressure games.

In playoffs, one magical spell can completely change the momentum of a match and crush the opposition’s hopes within a few overs. Over the years, IPL playoffs have witnessed several unforgettable bowling performances that left fans stunned and became iconic moments in tournament history.

One of the greatest playoff bowling performances came from Akash Madhwal during the IPL 2023 Eliminator between Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians in Chennai. Mumbai posted a competitive total of 182/8 through collective batting contributions despite strong efforts from Naveen-ul-Haq and Yash Thakur. However, the real story unfolded during Lucknow’s chase. Madhwal delivered a sensational spell of fast bowling, finishing with extraordinary figures of 5/5 in just 3.3 overs at an unbelievable economy rate of 1.40.

The right-arm pacer consistently hit the perfect lengths and dismantled the Lucknow batting lineup under pressure. He dismissed dangerous batters like Nicholas Pooran and Ayush Badoni while also cleaning up the lower order. His spell remains the best bowling figures in IPL playoff history and played a crucial role in Mumbai’s dominant 81-run victory.