The curtains closed on the IPL 2024 league stage in a damp anticlimax, with rain washing out the final match between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Despite the disappointing finale, the first 70 games of the tournament were packed with drama, unexpected turnarounds, and some truly exceptional bowling performances.

While Royal Challengers Bangalore’s remarkable six-match winning streak to secure the fourth playoff spot stole the headlines, several bowlers etched their names in the history books with incredible bowling figures.

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Here, we revisit the top five bowling figures from the league stage, highlighting the bowlers who stepped up and turned the tide for their teams:

#1 Tushar Deshpande (CSK vs SRH)

Despite Chennai Super Kings (CSK) posting a formidable 212 runs, they knew they couldn’t rest easy against the ever-dangerous Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) batting line-up. Openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma posed a significant threat. Enter Tushar Deshpande, who rose to the occasion by dismissing both openers within the powerplay, a crucial three-wicket haul.

 

Tushar Deshpande’s spell effectively broke the backbone of SRH’s batting, leaving them reeling. CSK cruised to a comfortable victory, with Deshpande finishing with a well-deserved four-wicket haul.

#2 T Natarajan (SRH vs DC)

In a high-scoring encounter where a staggering 465 runs were scored, T Natarajan’s bowling spell stood out as a beacon of exceptional control and economy. He conceded a mere 19 runs in his four overs while bagging four crucial wickets, effectively dismantling DC’s chase.

 

This spell propelled SRH to a massive 67-run victory after they had posted a competitive 266 runs on the board. The final over of DC’s innings was a testament to Natarajan’s brilliance – a sensational triple-wicket maiden that sealed the deal for SRH.