For a high-paced format like T20 cricket, a bowler’s nightmare is registering the most expensive over.

While it differs from pitch to pitch, a T20 bowler should understand the mindset of the opposition batsmen before bowling his over. Otherwise, they would be at the mercy of specialist batsmen like Chris Gayle, who has the record for the fastest century in T20 cricket.

Bangalore’s Harshal Patel, who earlier made the news as the first player to take a fifer against current holders Mumbai, was hammered for 37 overs in his final over against Chennai.

After taking three wickets for just 14 runs from his three overs, skipper Virat Kohli handed the ball for Harshal to bowl the final over of the first innings. Needless to say, it was a costly mistake.

Ravindra Jadeja had no mercy on Harshal Patel as he smashed 6,6,6nb,6,2,6,4 in the 20th over. Totalling 37 runs, it was the most expensive over in T20.

With this, Harshal Patel equalled Prasanth Parameswaran’s 2011 record in the Indian T20 League who leaked 37 runs in the third over of Kerala’s game against Bangalore.

Most expensive over in Indian T20 League

Bowler	Opponent	Runs conceded	Year
Harshal Patel	Chennai	37	2021
Prasanth Parameswaran	Bangalore	37	2011
Daniel Sams	Kolkata	35	2022
Parvinder Awana	Chennai	33	2014
Ravi Bopara	Punjab	33	2010

Four bowlers, meanwhile, have conceded a record 36 runs in an over in T20 internationals. Two of them saw the batsmen smashing six successive sixes. 

India’s Yuvraj Singh did it first in 2007 against England, blazing six sixes off Stuart Broad’s final and the innings penultimate over during the ICC T20 World Cup in 2007. Yuvraj brought up his fifty with the last six of the over in just 12 balls and was ultimately dismissed in the last over for a 14-ball 58. The Indian cricket team posted 218/4 and beat England by 18 runs. Broad ended with 0/60 in his four overs.

Fourteen years later in 2021, Kieron Pollard smashed six sixes off Akila Dananjaya, as West Indies chased Sri Lanka’s 131/9 in just 13.1 overs and with four wickets in hand. Pollard set the tone early, blazing in the sixth over and taming Dananjaya who had picked an impressive 3/17 in two overs until then, including a hat-trick. The Sri Lankan ended with figures of 3/62 in his four overs in the end.

West Indies' Nicholas Pooran broke multiple records during a T20 World Cup 2024, Group C match against Afghanistan. In the fourth over against Azmatullah Omarzai, Pooran struck three sixes and three boundaries. A no-ball and 4 leg byes made matters worse for the Afghan all-rounder as power-hitter Pooran scored 36 runs in an over to enter an elite list of batters. The 28-year-old's fiery knock ended with 98 runs off 53 balls and helped the Windies to a win.

Shivam Dube has the unwanted record of conceding the most runs in an over by an Indian bowler when he gave away 34 runs to the New Zealand pair of Tim Seifert and Ross Taylor at Mount Maunganui in February 2020. Dube’s first ball was to Seifert and the over went 6641 and then nb466 to Taylor. It was Shivam Dube’s only over on the day. India had posted 163/3 but it proved to be enough as they won by seven runs, Dube’s generosity notwithstanding.

Most expensive over in T20I

Bowler	Opponent	Runs conceded	Year
Stuart Broad	India	36	2007
Akila Dananjaya	West Indies	36	2021
Azmatullah Omarzai	West Indies	36	2024
Karim Janat	India	36	2024
Shivam Dube	New Zealand	34	2020
Nasum Ahmed	Zimbabwe	34	2022

Featured photo: Twitter / Royal Challengers Bangalore

T20 cricket is always perceived as a batsman’s game. The shortest format of cricket is designed in a way that makes it very difficult for bowlers to keep the flow of runs in check runs. However, that hasn’t stopped bowlers from delivering remarkable spells.

New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson and Canada's Saad Bin Zafar make a brilliant example of it. Both Lockie Ferguson and Saad Bin Zafar are the only two bowlers to produce four maiden overs in their four-over spell in T20 cricket history.

Most economical spells in T20

Bowler	Team	Opponent	Spell	Economy	Year
Lockie Ferguson	New Zealand	PNG	4-4-0-3	0.00	2024
Saad Bin Zafar	Canada	Panama	4-4-0-2	0.00	2021
Nuwan Kulasekara	Sri Lanka	Netherlands	2-2-0-1	0.00	2014
Junaid Siddiqui	Canada	Belize	2-2-0-1	0.00	2021
Virandeep Singh	Malaysia	Bhutan	2-2-0-1	0.00	2022

As far as the Indian T20 League is concerned, there are as many as three bowlers (with a minimum of three overs), who have ended their spell at an economy of 1.50. The first one to do so was Fidel Edwards. Playing for Team Deccan against Kolkata in 2009, the West Indies pacer conceded six runs in his four overs whilst delivering one maiden over. He failed to pick a wicket though.

Just a month after Edwards had set a record, Ashish Nehra recorded identical figures, albeit picking a wicket too. Ten years later, Bangalore spinner Yuzvendra Chahal matched the figures against Chennai. Anil Kumble also makes it to the list with figures of 5/5 in 3.1 overs in 2009.

Most economical spells in Indian T20 League

Bowler	Team	Opponent	Spell	Economy	Year
Fidel Edwards	Deccan	Kolkata	4-1-6-0	1.50	2009
Ashish Nehra	Delhi	Punjab	4-1-6-1	1.50	2009
Yuzvendra Chahal	Bangalore	Chennai	4-1-6-1	1.50	2019
Anil Kumble	Bangalore	Rajasthan	3.1-1-5-5	1.57	2009
Rahul Sharma	Pune	Mumbai	4-0-7-2	1.75	2011

The most economical spell in T20 international cricket was bowled by Saad Bin Zafar during an ICC Men's T20 World Cup Americas Region Qualifier. 

Among member nations, Lockie Ferguson holds the record for the most economical spell in T20 international cricket. Lockie Ferguson registered figures of 4-4-0-3 against Papua New Guinea in a T20 World Cup 2024 game at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad.

Most economical spells in T20I

Bowler	Team	Opponent	Spell	Economy	Year
Lockie Ferguson	New Zealand	PNG	4-4-0-3	0.00	2024
Saad Bin Zafar	Canada	Panama	4-4-0-2	0.00	2021
Nuwan Kulasekara	Sri Lanka	Netherlands	2-2-0-1	0.00	2014
Junaid Siddiqui	Canada	Belize	2-2-0-1	0.00	2021
Virandeep Singh	Malaysia	Bhutan	2-2-0-1	0.00	2022

Featured photo: AFP / Saeed Khan

Indian T20 League, the most-watched cricket league in the world, usually sets explosive batting and powerful hitting as the centre of attention. What the fans tend to overlook, though, is the fact that bowlers are actually the trump cards, who are equally capable of dictating the pace of the game.

Since its inception in 2008, the league has seen some of the most breathtaking bowling performances and these five players dominate the list of tournament’s all-time top wicket-takers.

Most wickets in Indian T20 League

5. Ravichandran Ashwin 

Having been loyal to just one Indian T20 League side, the right-arm off-break bowler has notched 180 wickets in 177 games at an average of 25.39. The lead spinner for team Kolkata is also one of the few bowlers in the league with seven four-wicket hauls to his name.

4. Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Playing for the Hyderabad franchise in the 2024 season of the Indian T20 League, India's Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been a vital cog for this team. In the course of 176 matches across seasons, Bhuvneshwar has scalped 181 wickets at an average of 27.23 and an economy rate of 7.56.

3. Dwayne Bravo

Dwayne Bravo, who is one of the two players to have won the Purple Cap twice in the league, started his career with Mumbai before moving to MS Dhoni-led Chennai in 2011. Having played 14 seasons, the West Indies cricketer picked 183 wickets in 161 matches while holding an economy of 8.38.

2. Piyush Chawla

Having played for Punjab from 2008 till 2013, leg-spinner Piyush Chawla was roped in by Kolkata in 2014, and he performed well for them before joining Team Mumbai. In 192 matches so far, Chawla surpasses Bravo's record to have scalped 192 wickets. He holds an average of 26.6 and an economy rate of 7.96.

1. Yuzvendra Chahal

The fourth Indian spinner in this top five, no bowler has taken more wickets in the Indian T20 League than Yuzvendra Chahal. The tricky right-arm spinner boasts plenty of variations and can turn the ball a long way. In 160 games so far, he's taken 205 wickets at an impressive average of 22.45 and an economy of 7.84.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Manjunath Kiran

Team Punjab hold the record for the highest successful run chase in T20 cricket. They chased down a target of 262 against Team Kolkata during an Indian T20 League 2024 match at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

The Sam Curran-led Punjab broke the previous record held by the South African cricket team. The Proteas chased down 259 against West Indies in the second T20 international of a three-match series in March 2023.

Bulgarian National Cricket Team hold the record for the third-highest successful run chase in T20 cricket. They chased down a target of 243 against Serbia and finished with 246/4 in 19.4 overs, which is also the second highest score in the second innings of a T20 match. 

In December 2016, Otago blazed away to 248/3 courtesy a 46-ball hundred by Hamish Rutherford in a Super Smash match, a domestic Twenty20 cricket competition, against Central Districts at the Pukekura Park in New Plymouth. This is the highest run chase in T20 cricket to this day, but it came in a losing cause.

The score should have been enough. Instead, Sri Lanka batsman Mahela Jayawardene smashed a 48-ball century to keep Central Districts in the hunt. But with eight needed off the final over, Neil Wagner defended the total to help Otago clinch a thriller by one run.

Central Districts scored 248/4 and set the record for the highest run chase in T20 cricket against in 2016.

Interestingly, this record-breaking 497-run match became the highest-aggregated T20 ever.

“I’m sure it’s something everyone will remember for a long time,�Hamish Rutherford said after the match.

In Twenty20 Internationals, the Australian cricket team holds the record for the highest run chase in T20, which they had pulled off to win against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland in February 2018.

Having won the toss, New Zealand rode on a blitzkrieg hundred from opener Martin Guptill (105 off 54 balls) and a scintillating fifty by his partner Colin Munro (76 off 33) to post a mammoth total of 243/6 in their quota of 20 overs.

In reply, Australia openers David Warner and D Arcy Short slammed quick-fire fifties to set the tone of the chase. While David Warner hammered 59 runs off just 24 balls, D Arcy Short scored a 44-ball 76 to keep the Aussies in the hunt for the world-record run chase.

With Australia needing 42 from 24 balls, Glenn Maxwell (31 off 14) and Aaron Finch (36 off 14) played a blinder to pull off the highest successful run chase in T20 cricket (245/5), with seven balls to spare.

On this day in 2018:

New Zealand post 243/6
Australia chase it down with 7 balls to spare

A world-record T20I chase in Auckland in a match that saw plenty of records shattered pic.twitter.com/Y1LRrJpTqc

�ICC (@ICC) February 16, 2020

The Indian cricket team’s highest score in a run chase in T20Is is 244/4 against the West Indies in 2016. India lost the match by 1 run.  India’s highest successful run chase in T20 cricket is 211/4 vs Sri Lanka in Chandigarh in 2009, registering the win in 19.1 overs. Yuvraj Singh starred on the day with an unbeaten 60 in just 25 balls.

Highest run chase in T20

Score	Team     Â	 Opposition     Â	Year
262/2	Punjab (18.4)	Kolkata	2024
259/4	South Africa (18.5)	West Indies	2023
248/4	Central District (20.0)	 Otago	2016
246/4	Bulgaria (19.4)	Serbia	2022
245/5	Australia (18.5)Â	New Zealand	2018
244/4	India (20.0)Â	 West Indies	2016
242/6	Patriots (18.5) Â	 Tallawahs Â	2019
236/6	West Indies (19.2)Â	South Africa	2015
233/6	Sussex (20.0)	Essex	2022
232/6	Peshawar Zalmi (20.0)	Islamabad United	2021
231/5	Bears (20.0)Â	Northants	2018
230/3	Adelaide Strikers (19.3)	Hobart Hurricanes	2023
230/8	England (19.4)	South Africa	2016

Featured photo: MICHAEL BRADLEY / AFP

One of the most distinct characteristics of T20 cricket is the misery that batters pile on bowlers through their big-hitting.

The towering sixes and darting fours might be entertaining for the audience but results in bowlers getting smacked for plenty of runs, with some even being added to the undesired list of most runs conceded by a bowler in T20 cricket.

The name on top of that list is Mattie Mckiernan, who currently holds the record for the most expensive bowling spell in T20 cricket. 

Playing for Derbyshire, spinner Mattie Mckiernan conceded a whopping 82 runs in his quota of four overs against Somerset in a T20 Blast quarter-final encounter in 2022. The leg-spinner's figures of 4-0-82-0 surpassed Sarmad Anwar, who was hammered for 81 runs in his four overs at an economy rate of 20.25 while representing Sialkot Stallions in the Super Eight T-20 Cup in 2011.

To add to his woes, Sarmad bowled four no-balls in his spell against Lahore Lions. He last played a cricket game in December 2014 whilst not having a single international cap to his name.

Before Sarmad Anwar took the top spot, Sussex pacer Robert Kirtley held the unwanted record, giving 67 runs against Essex in 2008.

Most runs conceded by bowlers in domestic T20s
Player	Team	Opponent	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Mattie Mckiernan	Derbyshire	Somerset	4	0	82	0
Sarmad Anwar	Sialkot Stallions	Lahore Lions	4	0	81	0
Ben Sanderson	Northamptonshire	Yorkshire	4	0	77	0
Qais Ahmad	Quetta Gladiators	Multan Sultans	4	0	77	2
Ben Mike	Yorkshire	Derbyshire	4	0	74	1

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s Kasun Rajitha holds the unwanted distinction for the most expensive bowling spell in T20 internationals. In the first T20I of the 2019 tour of Australia, Rajitha was taken to the cleaners in his second (21 runs) and third overs (25 runs) after conceding 11 in his opening over. He ended with figures of 0/75 in four overs.

This fixture ended up being the last time he represented the Lankan Lions in the T20I format.

Most runs conceded by bowlers in T20Is
Player	Team	Opponent	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Kasun Rajitha	Sri Lanka	Australia	4	0	75	0
Chris Sole	Scotland	New Zealand	4	0	72	1
Tunahan Turan	Turkey	Czech Republic	4	0	70	1
Barry J McCarthy	Ireland	Afghanistan	4	0	69	0
Kyle Abbott	South Africa	West Indies	4	0	68	1

Meanwhile, Gujarat pacer Mohit Sharma holds the unwanted record for the most expensive bowling spell in Indian T20 League history.

During an Indian T20 League 2024 match, Mohit Sharma conceded 73 runs in his four overs against Delhi at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

The previous record was held by former Hyderabad fast bowler Basil Thampi, who gave away 70 runs off four overs against Bengaluru in 2018.

Most runs conceded by bowlers in Indian T20 League
Player	Team	Opponent	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Mohit Sharma	Gujarat	Delhi	4	0	73	0
Basil Thampi	Hyderabad	Bengaluru	4	0	70	0
Yash Dayal	Gujarat	Kolkata	4	0	69	0
Reece Topley	Bengaluru	Hyderabad	4	0	68	0
Ishant Sharma	Hyderabad	Chennai	4	0	66	0

Featured photo: AFP / MICHAEL SHEEHAN

The Impact Player Rule has made a significant impact in the ongoing Indian T20 League 2024.

Introduced to the Indian T20 League in 2023, the Impact Player rule allows teams to make a tactical player substitution by replacing one player in the starting XI with another at any point in a match.

Teams must name five substitutes along with their starting XI on the team sheet before the toss. Only one of these five players can be used as an Impact Player, allowing the substitute player to participate actively in the match. This certainly adds a new strategic dimension to cricket’s shortest format. 

Chennai’s young pacer Tushar Deshpande became the first Impact Player to be used in Indian T20 League history.

Tushar Deshpande replaced middle-order batter Ambati Rayudu for Chennai during the Indian T20 League 2023 opener against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Following its success in the previous season, the Impact Player Rule has once again played a pivotal role in deciding the outcome of the matches in the Indian T20 League 2024. Get full list of Impact Players in Indian T20 League 2024.

Impact Players in Indian T20 League 2024

Match No.	Day and Date	MatchÂ	Impact Players
1	Friday, March 22	Chennai vs Bengaluru, MA Chidambaram Stadium	Shivam Dube for Mustafizur Rahman (Chennai), Yash Dayal for Dinesh Karthik (Bengaluru)
2	Saturday, March 23	Delhi vs Punjab, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium	Abishek Porel for Ricky Bhui (Delhi), Prabhsimran Singh for Arshdeep Singh (Punjab)
3	Saturday, March 23	Kolkata vs Hyderabad, Eden Gardens	Suyash Sharma for Ramandeep Singh (Kolkata) and Abhishek Sharma for T Natarajan (Hyderabad)
4	Sunday, March 24	Rajasthan vs Lucknow, Sawai Mansingh Stadium	Nandre Burger for Shimron Hetmyer (Rajasthan) and Deepak Hooda for Yash Thakur (Lucknow)
5	Sunday, March 24	Gujarat vs Mumbai, Narendra Modi Stadium  Â	Mohit Sharma for Sai Sudharsan (Gujarat) and Dewald Brevis for Luke Wood (Mumbai)
6	Monday, March 25	Bengaluru vs Punjab, M.Chinnaswamy StadiumÂ	Arshdeep Singh for Prabhsimran Singh (Punjab) and Mahipal Lomror for Yash Dayal (Bengaluru)
7	Tuesday, March 26	Chennai vs Gujarat, MA Chidambaram Stadium	Matheesha Pathirana for Shivam Dube (Chennai) and Sai Sudharsan for Mohit Sharma (Gujarat)
8	Wednesday, March 27	Hyderabad vs Mumbai, Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium	Umran Malik for Travis Head (Hyderabad) and Romario Shepherd for Kwena Maphaka (Mumbai)
9	Thursday, March 28	Rajasthan vs Delhi, Sawai Mansingh Stadium	Abishek Porel for Khaleel Ahmed (Delhi) and Nandre Burger for Shimron Hetmyer (Rajasthan)
10	Friday, March 29	Bengaluru vs Kolkata, M.Chinnaswamy Stadium	Vijaykumar Vyshak for Dinesh Karthik (Bengaluru) and Angkrish Raghuvanshi for Varun Chakaravarthy (Kolkata)
11	Saturday, March 30	Lucknow vs Punjab, Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium	Naveen-ul-Haq for KL Rahul (Lucknow) and Prabhsimran Singh for Arshdeep Singh (Punjab)
12	Sunday, March 31	Gujarat vs Hyderabad, Narendra Modi Stadium	Sai Sudharsan for Mohit Sharma (Gujarat) and Washington Sundar for Mayank Agarwal (Hyderabad)
13	Sunday, March 31	Delhi vs Chennai, Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium	Rasikh Dar Salam for Prithvi Shaw (Delhi) and Shivam Dube for Matheesha Pathirana (Chennai)
14	Monday, April 1	Mumbai vs Rajasthan, Wankhede Stadium	Dewald Brevis for Naman Dhir (Mumbai) and Shubham Dubey for Yuzvendra Chahal (Rajasthan)
15	Tuesday, April 2	Bengaluru vs Lucknow, M.Chinnaswamy Stadium	Manimaran Siddharth for Quinton de Kock (Lucknow) and Mahipal Lomror for Yash Dayal (Lucknow)
16	Wednesday, April 3	Delhi vs Kolkata,  Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium	Abishek Porel for Khaleel Ahmed (Delhi) and Vaibhav Arora for Angkrish Raghuvanshi (Kolkata)
17	Thursday, April 4	Gujarat vs Punjab, Narendra Modi Stadium	Mohit Sharma for Rahul Tewatia (Gujarat) and Ashutosh Sharma for Arshdeep Singh (Punjab)
18	Friday, April 5	Hyderabad vs Chennai, Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium	Travis Head for T Natarajan (Hyderabad) and Mukesh Choudhary for Shivam Dube (Chennai)
19	Saturday, April 6	Rajasthan vs Bengaluru, Sawai Mansingh Stadium	Himanshu Sharma for Saurav Chauhan (Bengaluru) and Shubham Dubey for Yuzvendra Chahal (Rajasthan)
20	Sunday, April 7	Mumbai vs Delhi, Wankhede Stadium	Akash Madhwal for Suryakumar Yadav (Mumbai) and Kumar Kushagra for Khaleel Ahmed (Delhi)
21	Sunday, April 7	Lucknow vs Gujarat, Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium	Manimaran Siddharth for Marcus Stoinis (Lucknow) and Kane Williamson for Mohit Sharma (Gujarat)
22	Monday, April 8	Chennai vs Kolkata, MA Chidambaram Stadium	Shivam Dube for Mustafizur Rahman (Chennai) and Anukul Roy for Rinku Singh (Kolkata)
23	Tuesday, April 9	Punjab vs Hyderabad, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket StadiumÂ	Prabhsimran Singh for Arshdeep Singh (Punjab) and Rahul Tripathi for Travis Head (Hyderabad)
24	Wednesday, April 10	Rajasthan vs Gujarat, Sawai Mansingh Stadium	Keshav Maharaj for Yashasvi Jaiswal (Rajasthan) and Shahrukh Khan for Mohit Sharma (Gujarat)
25	Thursday, April 11	Mumbai vs Bengaluru, Wankhede Stadium	Suryakumar Yadav for Akash Madhwal (Mumbai) and Saurav Chauhan for Rajat Patidar (Bengaluru)
26	Friday, April 12	Lucknow vs Delhi, Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium	Deepak Hooda for Quinton de Kock (Lucknow) and Abishek Porel for Khaleel Ahmed (Delhi)
27	Saturday, April 13	Punjab vs Rajasthan, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium	Yashasvi Jaiswal for Kuldeep Sen (Rajasthan) and Ashutosh Sharma for Prabhsimran Singh (Punjab)
28	Sunday, April 14	Kolkata vs Lucknow, Eden Gardens	Arshad Khan for Quinton de Kock (Lucknow) and Rinku Singh for Varun Chakaravarthy (Kolkata)
29	Sunday, April 14	Mumbai vs Chennai, Wankhede Stadium	Suryakumar Yadav for Akash Madhwal (Mumbai) and Matheesha Pathirana for Ajinkya Rahane (Chennai)
30	Monday, April 15	Bengaluru vs Hyderabad, M.Chinnaswamy Stadium	Anuj Rawat for Yash Dayal (Bengaluru) and Mayank Markande for Travis Head (Hyderabad)
31	Tuesday, April 16	Kolkata vs Rajasthan, Eden Gardens	Vaibhav Arora for Rinku Singh (Kolkata) and Jos Buttler for Kuldeep Sen (Rajasthan)

Top Impact Players in Indian T20 League 2024

Matheesha Pathirana’s 4/28 vs Mumbai

Chennai’s star pacer Matheesha Pathirana produced a match-winning spell as an Impact Player against Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium. Defending 206, Matheesha Pathirana came on as the Impact sub in place of Ajinkya Rahane. The Sri Lankan fast bowler later finished with figures of 4/28 to help Chennai secure a 20-run victory. 

Suryakumar Yadav’s 19-ball 52 vs Bengaluru

Mumbai’s swashbuckling Suryakumar Yadav played a pivotal role as an Impact Player against Bengaluru at the Wankhede Stadium. Chasing 197, Suryakumar Yadav came into bat at No.3 as an Impact sub in place of Akash Madhwal. The 33-year-old later slammed a blitzkrieg 19-ball 52 to help Mumbai chase down the target in just 15.3 overs.

Nandre Burger’s 2/29 vs Delhi

Rajasthan’s new recruit Nandre Burger has been one of the top Impact Players in the Indian T20 League 2024. Defending 185 against Delhi in Jaipur, Nandre Burger was drafted in as an Impact Player in place of Shimron Hetmyer. The South African pacer immediately made an instant impact as he dismissed Delhi’s Mitchell Marsh and Ricky Bhui to put the hosts in a great position. Burger’s 2/29 helped Rajasthan restrict Delhi to 173/5 in their allotted overs and win the game by 12 runs. 

Photo credit: Alamy

Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed the fastest fifty in Indian T20 League 2023 against Kolkata. His 13-ball effort en route to a match-winning knock of 98 not out saw him dazzle spectators with his strokeplay and made light work of the target as Rajasthan won the game in 13.1 overs with nine wickets to spare.

With Rajasthan needing to make 150 in their 20 overs, Yashasvi made his intentions clear with his belligerent hitting from the outset. His Player of the Match performance saw him finish on 98* from 57 balls in a knock that featured 12 fours and five sixes. 

It was the fastest fifty in Indian T20 League history as he bettered the previous record held by Pat Cummins and KL Rahul, both of whom have a 14-ball 50 to their name in the tournament.

Fastest fifties in Indian T20 League

Player (Team)	Opponent	Balls taken	Year
Yashasvi Jaiswal (Rajasthan)	Kolkata	13	2023
Pat Cummins (Kolkata)	Mumbai	14	2022
KL Rahul (Punjab)	Delhi	14	2018
Yusuf Pathan (Kolkata)	Hyderabad	15	2014
Sunil Narine (Kolkata)	Bangalore	15	2017

Nepal's Dipendra Singh Airee is the record holder for the fastest fifty in T20Is having smashed a nine-ball fifty against Mongolia in the men's T20 competition at the 2023 Asian Games. His knock helped set up a 273-run win for Nepal.

India’s Yuvraj Singh holds the record for the second-fastest fifty in T20 cricket and he has the distinction of registering in an international match against England in 2007.

Playing against England in a group match at the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup in 2007, Yuvraj Singh scored 58 runs in 16 balls - an innings where he smashed his famous six sixes in an over.

The southpaw brought up his fifty in just 12 balls, thus helping India set a mammoth target of 219 for England in 20 overs. England lost by 19 runs.

The second fastest fifty in T20Is came 12 years later when Austria's Mirza Ahsan slammed a 13-ball half-century in a 2019 Continental Cup match against Luxembourg. His knock was laced with two boundaries and seven maximums.

Fastest fifties in T20I cricket

Player (Team)	Opponent	Balls taken	Year
Dipendra Singh Airee (Nepal)	Mongolia	9	2023
Yuvraj Singh (India)	England	12	2007
Mirza Ahsan (Austria)	Luxembourg	13	2019
Colin Munro (New Zealand)	Sri Lanka	14	2016
Ramesh Satheesan (Romania)	Serbia	15	2021

While Chris Gayle hasn't managed to hit the fastest fifty in T20I cricket or in the Indian T20 League, the West Indian hard hitter has compensated for it by achieving the feat in Big Bash League.

Opening for the Melbourne Renegades in 2016, the towering southpaw had scored a half-century in 12 balls. Unfortunately, the Gayle storm came in a losing cause as the Renegades failed to chase down the 171-run target set by Adelaide Strikers.

Fastest fifties in T20

Player (Team)	Opponent	Balls taken	Year
Ashutosh Sharma (Railways)	Arunachal Pradesh	11	2023
Chris Gayle (Melbourne Renegades)	Adelaide Strikers	12	2016
Hazratullah Zazai (Kabul Zwanan)	Balkh Legends	12	2018
Marcus Trescothick (Somerset)	Hampshire	13	2010
Sunil Narine (Comilla Victorians)	Chattogram Challengers	13	2022

Featured Image: AFP/ Alexander Joe

Mayank Yadav’s fastest ball is a 156.7 kph delivery that he bowled in an Indian T20 League game against Bengaluru at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium on April 2, 2024.

Representing the Lucknow franchise in the Indian T20 League 2024, India’s new pace sensation Mayank Yadav produced an absolute thunderbolt to castle Bengaluru all-rounder Cameron Green for a run-a-ball nine.

The 21-year-old speedster clocked 156.7 kph to record the fastest ball of Indian T20 League 2024.

Interestingly, the New Delhi-born cricketer broke his own record after he had registered the fastest ball of the 2024 edition against Team Punjab in their previous fixture.

After making his Indian T20 League debut at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in 2024, Mayank produced a 155.8 kph delivery to Punjab captain Shikhar Dhawan in the 12th over to become the fastest bowler at the Indian T20 League 2024.

In the same match, the youngster clocked 153.9 kph, 153.4 kph, 153.0 kph and 152.0 kph deliveries to grab attention across the world.

Mayank was later adjudged the Player of the Match after he finished with figures of 4-0-27-3 to guide Lucknow to a 21-run victory over Punjab.

The right-arm pacer produced another sensational spell against a star-studded Bengaluru batting line-up in his second match.

Mayank tormented the Bengaluru batters with his raw pace as he bowled consistently over 150 kph in the game.

The Lucknow fast bowler recorded 156.7 kph, 155.2 kph, 154.8 kph, 153.2 kph and 152.3 kph deliveries to once again grab headlines across social media. 

Apart from his pace, Mayank bowled in accurate length and line to bag the huge wickets of Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Green to finish with figures of 4-0-14-3.

His magnificent spell powered Lucknow to a 28-run win over Bengaluru as he later won back-to-back Player of the Match awards.

In just two matches, Mayank picked up six wickets at an average of 6.83 and an economy of 5.12. 

With his impressive performances, Mayank could stake a claim in India’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup to be held in the West Indies and the United States. Let’s have a look at Mayank Yadav’s fastest balls.

Mayank Yadav’s fastest ball

Date	Team	Opposition	Speed
April 2, 2024	Lucknow	Bengaluru	156.7 kph
March 30, 2024	Lucknow	Punjab	155.8 kph
April 2, 2024	Lucknow	Bengaluru	155.2 kph
April 2, 2024	Lucknow	Bengaluru	154.8 kph
March 30, 2024	Lucknow	Punjab	153.9 kph
March 30, 2024	Lucknow	Punjab	153.4 kph
April 2, 2024	Lucknow	Bengaluru	153.2 kph
March 30, 2024	Lucknow	Punjab	153.0 kph
April 2, 2024	Lucknow	Bengaluru	152.3 kph
March 30, 2024	Lucknow	Punjab	152.0 kph

In comparison to the fastest balls ever bowled in the Indian T20 League, the list is spearheaded by former Australian pacer Shaun Tait followed by New Zealand speedster Lockie Ferguson. Umran Malik is third while Mayank Yadav features fourth on the list. Know fastest balls in Indian T20 League.

Fastest balls in Indian T20 League

Bowler	Team	Speed	Year
Shaun Tait	Rajasthan	157.7 kph	2011
Lockie Ferguson	Gujarat	157.3 kph	2022
Umran Malik	Hyderabad	157 kph	2022
Mayank Yadav	Lucknow	156.7 kph	2024
Anrich Nortje	Delhi	156.2 kph	2020

Photo credit: Alamy

The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, also known as Chepauk, has been a prominent name in cricket since the inception of the Presidency matches in 1916.

From the first-ever Ranji Trophy match being played in the venue in 1934, to India’s first Test win in 1951-52 when they defeated England, the MA Chidambaram Stadium has hosted some historic matches and seen some memorable records being created over the years.

Though Chepauk has accommodated only two T20 internationals in all these years, the iconic stadium has hosted close to 50 Indian T20 League matches already and is the fortress of the MS Dhoni-led Team Chennai.

Here's a closer look at all the 20-over records at the venue.

MA Chidambaram T20I records

Highest Total: The highest total of 182 at the ground was made by India while playing against West Indies in 2018. After the West Indies team had given a target of 181 runs while opting to bat first, India had chased it down in exactly 20 overs to win the match by six wickets

Lowest Total: The lowest total on the ground was made by India (166 runs) as well, during their clash with New Zealand in 2012. After New Zealand had set up a target of 167 after batting first, the Indian cricket team made 166 runs and lost the match by one run.

Highest Score: The highest individual T20 score at this venue is 92, scored by India's Shikhar Dhawan when he faced West Indies in 2018. His innings, which included 10 boundaries and three sixes, is also the highest run-scorer in a single match in the stadium.

Best Bowling: India's Irfan Pathan has recorded the best bowling figures of 3/31 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium against New Zealand in 2012.

Highest partnership: The highest partnership in Chepauk is the 130-run stand by India's Shikhar Dhawan and Rishabh Pant against the West Indies in 2018. It was a third-wicket partnership.

MA Chidambaram Indian T20 League records

Most runs: Suresh Raina has the most number of runs in Chepauk. The southpaw has played 56 matches in the venue, tallying 1,593 runs with eight half-centuries and one century to his name. He is followed by MS Dhoni (1,513) and Murali Vijay (1053).

Most wickets: Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is the bowler with the most wickets in the Indian T20 League at this venue. He's taken 53 wickets on this ground with best bowling figures of 3/16. 

Highest total: The highest total in the Indian T20 League at this venue was made by Team Chennai against Team Rajasthan in 2010. They scored 246/5 batting first and successfully defended their total by restricting Team Rajasthan to 223/5.

Lowest total: The lowest team total at this venue was made by Team Bangalore during the 2019 edition of the Indian T20 League. They scored 70 before being bundled out and Team Chennai chased down the target with seven wickets and 14 balls to spare.

Highest individual score: Murali Vijay holds the distinction of having the highest individual score on this ground in the Indian T20 League. The same game that saw Team Chennai post the highest team total at this venue also witnessed Murali Vijay smash a 56-ball 127 as the hosts registered a 23-run win.

Best bowling figures: Akash Madhwal boasts the best bowling figures at the Chepauk stadium in the Indian T20 League. While representing Team Mumbai against Team Lucknow in 2023, Madhwal finished with figures of 5/5 in his 3.3 overs overs to bundle out the opposition for 101. His brilliant bowling spell guided Team Mumbai to an 81-run victory in Chennai.

Highest partnership: Murali Vijay and Michael Hussey's 159-run stand for Team Chennai against Team Bangalore during Indian T20 League 2011 is the highest partnership on this ground. Their partnership helped Team Chennai post 205/5 before restricting Team Bangalore to 147/8 to register a 58-run win.

Highest successful chase: Team Chennai pulled off the highest successful chase against Team Bangalore during the 2012 edition of the Indian T20 League. Chasing a target of 206, Faf du Plessis made 71 off 46 and MS Dhoni managed 41 from 24 balls to help Team Chennai to 208/5 at the end of their 20 overs.

Feature Image Courtesy: AFP/ Arun Sankar

The Indian T20 League auctions over the years have turned out to be game-changers for many cricketers. From star cricketers bagging multi-million dollar contracts to youngsters coming from humble beginnings taking home a large chunk of money - the auction table springs quite a few eyebrow raising moments. 

Mitchell Starc is the most expensive purchase in the history of the Indian T20 League. Interestingly, three of the five most expensive buys in Indian T20 League history took place in the 2023 mini-auction. 

Here’s a look at the 10 most expensive purchases in Indian T20 League history (Only includes players bought at auction). 

Most expensive buys in Indian T20 League auction

Player	Team	Price (INR)	Edition
Mitchell Starc	Kolkata	24.75 crore	2024
Pat Cummins	Hyderabad	20.50 crore	2024
Sam Curran	Punjab	18.50 crore	2023
Cameron Green	Mumbai	17.50 crore	2023
Ben Stokes	Chennai	16.25 crore	2023
Chris Morris	Rajasthan	16.25 crore	2021
Nicholas Pooran	Lucknow	16 crore	2023
Yuvraj Singh	Delhi	16 crore	2015
Pat Cummins	Kolkata	15.5 crore	2020
Ishan Kishan	Mumbai	15.25 crore	2022

Mitchell Starc (Kolkata) - INR 24.75 crore

Two-time ICC ODI World Cup winner Mitchell Starc scripted history as he became the most expensive player in the Indian T20 League history. The star left-arm pacer was roped in by Team Kolkata for a whopping INR 24.75 crore at the Indian T20 League 2024 auction. After a huge bidding war between Delhi, Mumbai, Gujarat and Kolkata, the latter bagged Starc for a record amount.

Pat Cummins (Hyderabad) - INR 20.50 crore 

The ICC World Cup 2023-winning captain Pat Cummins features second on the list for the most expensive player in the Indian T20 League history. Team Hyderabad bagged the services of the Australian fast bowler for INR 18.50 crore at the Indian T20 League 2024 auction. There was an intense bidding war between Chennai, Mumbai and Bangalore before Hyderabad roped in the star pacer.

Sam Curran (Punjab) - INR 18.50 crore 

Sam Curran is one of the most in-demand all-rounders in world cricket, especially after he picked up the Player of the Tournament at the ICC T20 World Cup 2022. There was a massive bidding war among Punjab, Mumbai and Rajasthan - but eventually, Punjab won his services for INR 18.50 crore.

Cameron Green (Mumbai) - INR 17.50 crore

Cameron Green made a great impression during Australia’s T20I series against India in September 2022. The 23-year-old has a strike rate of 173.75 in T20Is for Australia and was in the radar for plenty of teams. Mumbai went all out to purchase the player for INR 17.50 crore, making him the second most expensive player in the tournament.  

Ben Stokes (Chennai) - INR 16.25 crore

Ben Stokes previously was the biggest buy of 2017 and 2018 editions, for Pune (defunct franchise) and Rajasthan, respectively. The player returned to the table in the 2023 mini auction and once again went for big bucks. Chennai, the four-time champions who were looking for a captaincy successor to MS Dhoni, picked up Stokes for INR 16.25 crore. 

Chris Morris (Rajasthan) - INR 16.25 crore

Before Punjab won the bidding war for Sam Curran, Chris Morris held the record for the most expensive auction buy in Indian T20 League. Rajasthan purchased him after a fierce bidding war with his former employers Bangalore ahead of the 2021 edition. As it turned out, he broke Yuvraj Singh’s long-standing record (INR 16 crore) to take home INR 16.25 crore.

Nicholas Pooran (Lucknow) - INR 16 crore

The Caribbean power-hitter has been among the big buys in the Indian T20 League auction for many years. After Hyderabad purchased him for INR 10.75 crore in the mega auction of 2022, he was sold for INR 16 crore to Lucknow in the following edition.

Photo Credit: Alamy