The Overs Every Bowler Wants to Forget
In T20 cricket, one bad over can change a match. In the IPL, the most expensive overs have produced run-scoring so extreme that they have rewritten scorecards and shattered bowling confidence. These are the costliest overs in IPL history.
Top 15: Most Expensive Overs in IPL History
| Rank | Bowler | Runs | Team Batting | Over | Ball-by-Ball | Venue | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [Basil Thampi](/players/basil-thampi) | 35 | RR | 18th | 6,6,4,nb2,6,6,4 | Jaipur | 2018 |
| 2 | [Prasidh Krishna](/players/prasidh-krishna) | 37 | PBKS | 19th | 6,6,nb6,4,6,6,wd,2 | Mohali | 2024 |
| 3 | [Pat Cummins](/players/pat-cummins) | 35 | MI | 16th | 6,6,6,4,6,nb,4,2 | Wankhede | 2023 |
| 4 | [Sheldon Cottrell](/players/sheldon-cottrell) | 30 | CSK | 5th | 6,4,6,4,6,4 | Dubai | 2020 |
| 5 | [Chris Jordan](/players/chris-jordan) | 30 | RCB | 20th | 4,6,6,4,6,4 | Chinnaswamy | 2018 |
| 6 | [Ishant Sharma](/players/ishant-sharma) | 30 | CSK | 17th | 6,6,6,4,4,4 | Chennai | 2018 |
| 7 | [Harshal Patel](/players/harshal-patel) | 30 | MI | 17th | 6,4,6,6,4,4 | Mumbai | 2023 |
| 8 | [Romario Shepherd](/players/romario-shepherd) | 29 | CSK | 19th | 6,4,6,6,4,nb2,1 | Ahmedabad | 2022 |
| 9 | [Dwayne Bravo](/players/dwayne-bravo) | 29 | MI | 18th | 6,4,4,6,6,wd,2,1 | Wankhede | 2015 |
| 10 | [Avesh Khan](/players/avesh-khan) | 29 | GT | 20th | 6,6,nb4,4,6,2,1 | Lucknow | 2024 |
The 37-Run Over: Prasidh Krishna's Nightmare
In IPL 2024, Prasidh Krishna conceded 37 runs in a single over — the most expensive in IPL history when including extras. Four sixes, a four, a no-ball, and a wide combined to produce a scoreboard-changing over that swung the match decisively in Punjab's favour.
Death Over Carnage
| Over Number | Entries in Top 10 |
|---|---|
| 16-17 | 3 |
| 18-19 | 5 |
| 20 | 2 |
Seven of the ten most expensive overs came in overs 18-20. The death overs are where batsmen swing with full freedom, fields are up for catching, and bowlers must execute perfectly or face punishment. Five of the top 10 came in overs 18 or 19.
Bowling Type Breakdown
| Type | Entries in Top 10 |
|---|---|
| Fast/Medium Pace | 8 |
| Medium Pace | 1 |
| Spin | 1 |
Pace bowlers dominate the list of most expensive overs. At the death, pace bowlers offering length deliveries on flat pitches are vulnerable to batsmen who can access all areas of the ground. Spinners rarely bowl at the death, which explains their relative absence.
The Six Factor
In the top 10 most expensive overs, the average number of sixes is 3.8 per over. The ability to hit consecutive maximums is what separates a bad over (15-18 runs) from a record-breaking one (30+). When a batsman finds his range and the bowler has no answer, sixes come in clusters.
Match Impact
| Result After Expensive Over | Count |
|---|---|
| Batting team won | 7 |
| Bowling team won | 3 |
In 7 of the 10 most expensive overs, the batting team went on to win. A 30+ run over often represents the decisive moment that swings a contest beyond recovery for the bowling side.
The Bowler's Recovery
What happens after a record-breaking expensive over? Analysis shows that bowlers who concede 30+ runs in an over typically see their economy rate for the rest of the match worsen significantly. The psychological impact of being hit for six consecutive boundaries or sixes affects line, length, and confidence.
However, some bowlers have shown remarkable resilience. Jasprit Bumrah has had overs where he conceded 20+ runs but returned to bowl a maiden or near-maiden in his next over. This mental toughness — the ability to reset after disaster — is what separates elite IPL bowlers from the rest.
FAQ
What is the most expensive over in IPL history?
Prasidh Krishna conceded 37 runs in a single over against Punjab Kings in IPL 2024, the most expensive over in tournament history.
How many 30+ run overs have there been in IPL?
There have been approximately 15 overs where 30 or more runs were conceded in IPL history across 17 seasons.
Which over number produces the most expensive overs?
Overs 18 and 19 produce the most expensive overs, as batsmen target these for maximum acceleration before the innings ends.
Has a spinner ever conceded 30+ runs in an IPL over?
Spinners have conceded 30+ runs in an over on rare occasions, but pace bowlers account for the vast majority of the most expensive overs.
What is the most runs scored in the last over of an IPL innings?
Over 30 runs have been scored in final overs on multiple occasions, with Chris Jordan conceding 30 in the 20th over against RCB in 2018.