IPL 2025: Top Bowling Combinations Reshape the Game

Revival of Bowling in IPL 2025

The 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has ushered in a significant shift in bowling dynamics, moving away from the bat-centric trends of 2024. The reintroduction of saliva for ball handling, along with the use of two new balls, has revitalized bowling strategies, allowing bowlers to regain their influence over matches.

Top Bowling Duos of IPL 2025

This season has showcased formidable bowling partnerships, each excelling in different phases of the game—be it powerplay, middle overs, or death overs. These duos have played a crucial role in their teams' victories, often determining match outcomes through their combined efforts. Here, we delve into the five standout bowling combinations of IPL 2025, analyzing their performances and contributions.

IPL 2025: Best Bowling Duos of the Season

Bowler 1	Bowler 2	Team
Prasidh Krishna	R Sai Kishore	Gujarat Titans
Josh Hazlewood	Bhuvneshwar Kumar	Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Varun Chakaravarthy	Sunil Narine	Kolkata Knight Riders
Kuldeep Yadav	Vipraj Nigam	Delhi Capitals
Deepak Chahar	Trent Boult	Mumbai Indians

5 - Deepak Chahar and Trent Boult (Mumbai Indians)

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The resurgence of Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025 can be attributed to the exceptional opening spells delivered by Deepak Chahar and Trent Boult. Chahar's ability to swing the ball and his accuracy have made him particularly lethal during the powerplay, where he ranks among the top wicket-takers in the initial overs.

Boult complements him with his left-arm pace and versatility, creating a challenging scenario for opening batsmen. Their synergy has been especially effective at Wankhede Stadium, where the conditions favor swing bowling. In a thrilling match against Rajasthan Royals, Chahar dismissed the promising Vaibhav Suryavanshi for a duck, paving the way for an easy victory for MI.

4 - Kuldeep Yadav and Vipraj Nigam (Delhi Capitals)

Image Source: X/Delhi Capitals

Delhi Capitals have unearthed a formidable spin duo in Kuldeep Yadav and Vipraj Nigam. Kuldeep's clever variations have made him a consistent wicket-taker in the middle overs, boasting impressive statistics: 11 wickets in eight matches at an average of 17.91 and an economy rate of 6.79. Meanwhile, Nigam, a promising young leg-spinner, has also made significant contributions by taking crucial wickets. In a match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, both spinners excelled, each claiming two wickets and effectively stifling the opposition's scoring.

3 - Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine (Kolkata Knight Riders)

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The spin duo of Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine has been a nightmare for batsmen facing the Kolkata Knight Riders. Chakaravarthy's unique bowling action and variations have made him a key player in the middle overs, while the experienced Narine continues to be an invaluable asset. In their last match against Delhi Capitals, Narine showcased his all-round capabilities by scoring 27 runs and taking three wickets, earning the Player of the Match award. Chakaravarthy also contributed significantly by claiming vital wickets at crucial moments.

2 - Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)

Image Source: BCCI

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru have strengthened their bowling lineup with the experienced pairing of Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Both bowlers play crucial roles in controlling the game's tempo during powerplay and death overs. Hazlewood's accuracy and ability to generate bounce make him a go-to bowler in high-pressure situations, while Bhuvneshwar's swing and precision have consistently troubled batsmen. Together, they effectively restricted the opposition's scoring in a match against Delhi Capitals.

1 - Prasidh Krishna and R Sai Kishore (Gujarat Titans)

Image Source: BCCI/IPL

The Gujarat Titans' success in IPL 2025 has been significantly bolstered by the outstanding performances of Prasidh Krishna and R Sai Kishore. Krishna, currently leading the Purple Cap race, has been a revelation with his speed and accuracy, exemplified by his 4-wicket haul for 41 runs against Delhi Capitals. Sai Kishore, a left-arm orthodox spinner, has also provided essential breakthroughs and maintains an impressive economy rate. Together, they have not only restricted the opposition's scoring but have also consistently taken wickets, making them the most effective bowling pair this season.

Conclusion

The 2025 IPL season has underscored the importance of strong bowling partnerships in T20 cricket. These duos have not only curtailed batting rates but have also secured crucial breakthroughs, shifting the momentum of matches in favor of their teams. Their performances highlight the strategic depth and training that modern cricket demands, reminding fans that while batting may shine, victories are often crafted by the bowlers.