5 Players Who Can Surpass Muttiah Muralitharan’s Career Economy Record In IPL

Muttiah Muralitharan (L), Axar Patel (C), and Kuldeep Yadav (R) in IPL (Source: AFP) 

Former legendary Muttiah Muralitharan made an amazing impact with the ball in the IPL, while also ending his career as one of the all-time greats in international cricket. Muralitharan played in the tournament from 2008 to 2014 for three franchises: Chennai Super Kings, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. 

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan great also set an IPL bowling record, which remains unbroken more than a decade after his last game in the league. Muralitharan recorded the best-ever career bowling economy in the tournament’s entire history. 

Nonetheless, there have been a few bowlers after Muralitharan who are quite close to him in terms of best bowling economy. Therefore, in this article, we’ll have a look at the five players who can surpass Muttiah Muralitharan’s career economy record in the tournament. 

5 Players Who Can Surpass Muttiah Muralitharan's Career Economy Record In IPL

Sunil Narine - 6.79 

The former Caribbean spin stalwart, Sunil Narine, is one of the key elements for the three-time champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, since his IPL debut in 2012. In his almost 14-year-long career across 14 seasons, Narine has become the ‘top performer with the ball’ for KKR. 

He has claimed 192 wickets in 187 innings at a decent economy rate of 6.79, including seven four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul. Notably, Narine has the second-best career economy in the IPL history. So, he is the closest one to Muttiah Muralitharan and can surpass the latter with the best economy in the next few seasons. 

Jasprit Bumrah - 7.24 

Leading wicket-taker for the Mumbai Indians in IPL, Jasprit Bumrah has established himself as the backbone of MI’s bowling attack. He has bagged 183 wickets in 145 innings at an economy rate of 7.24, with three four-wicket hauls and two five-wicket hauls. 

He is also the one of the most economical bowlers in the IPL history, with a career bowling economy of 7.24. Bumrah is one of the top contenders among the players who can break Muttiah Muralitharan’s record of the best economy in the tournament’s history. 

Axar Patel - 7.34 

The star all-rounder Axar Patel has been associated with the Delhi Capitals since IPL 2020 after representing Punjab Kings for five editions from 2014 to 2018. He has played a total of 162 games, picking 128 wickets in 159 innings, at an economy rate of 7.34 with one four-wicket haul. 

Axar Patel is also known for tying the batters with his sharp spin bowling, given his economy rate of 7.34. So, he could also be the bowler to achieve the milestone of registering the best economy rate, surpassing the former legend Muttiah Muralitharan. 

Varun Chakravarthy - 7.57 

The Karnataka-born mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy has earned a reputation as a match-winner for both India and his IPL franchise, KKR, over the last few years. With 99 wickets in 82 innings, He is currently the third-highest wicket-taker for KKR in the tournament’s history, following Andre Russell.  

He is also one of the most economical bowlers in the last couple of editions. The 34-year-old has claimed 100 wickets in his 84 games at an economy rate of 7.57, including one four-wicket haul and one five-wicket haul. 

In a few upcoming seasons, Chakravarthy has an opportunity to surpass Muttiah Muralitharan in terms of the best career economy. 

Kuldeep Yadav - 8.03 

The left-arm wrist spinner, Kuldeep Yadav, has been one of the go-to bowlers for the Delhi Capitals in the last few seasons. Kuldeep has played 98 games in the tournament throughout his career, including stints with both KKR and DC. 

In these appearances, he has claimed 102 wickets in 95 innings, at an economy rate of 8.03, including four four-wicket hauls. His consistency and wicket-taking ability have risen since he moved to DC from KKR in the 2022 edition. 

The 31-year-old is also able to become the bowler with the best career economy, breaking Muttiah Muralitharan’s record.