IPL 2025: RCB pacers dominate powerplay with best bowling stats – A deep dive into the numbers.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title, thanks largely to their consistent bowling performances—especially in the powerplay overs. For a change, RCB were among the top four teams throughout the season. After 10 games, they were placed second on the points table, having taken the most wickets in the powerplay (17). By the time they lifted the trophy, they had extended that record, finishing the season with the highest number of powerplay wickets—27 in total.
Here is a look at the teams with the most wickets in powerplays in IPL 2025.
It was observed that three of the top four teams in powerplay bowling made it to the playoffs. This suggests that strong performances in the first six overs can significantly boost a team’s chances of qualifying, as matches are often shaped—if not decided—during that crucial phase.
Read More: Top performers for RCB on their road to the final
RCB’s dominance with the ball
A look at all the team’s record in bowling powerplay shows that RCB have not only taken the most wickets (27), but also enjoy the best economy (8.73), best bowling average (29.11), best strike rate (20), and second-highest dot balls bowled (251). It substantiates how good RCB bowlers have been in powerplays across all metrics. They have been instrumental in helping the team lift their maiden IPL title.
Moreover, when we look at the type of bowlers who have excelled for RCB in the powerplays, it’s the pacers who have dominated. They took 25 wickets at an average of 29.16 and a strike rate of 20.16, along with 238 dot balls. In contrast, RCB’s spinners managed just two wickets during this phase. This is obvious as RCB mostly employed their pacers during the powerplay throughout the season. Similarly, Mumbai’s pacers have taken 25 wickets during this phase, while Sunrisers Hyderabad pacers rank third with 20 wickets.
Hazlewood & Bhuvi run the show
A look at the top bowlers during the bowling powerplay shows that RCB’s Josh Hazlewood topped the charts jointly with two other players, bagging 10 wickets during overs 1-6. However, Hazlewood missed a few matches due to injury. Yet, he enjoys the best average, strike rate and economy rate among bowlers with five or more wickets in the powerplay. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is not far behind with eight wickets in powerplay this season.
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Here is the list of top six bowlers in powerplay in IPL 2025:
RCB’s pacers did a hell of a job in the powerplay, especially Hazlewood and Bhuvi with 18 wickets among themselves during this phase. Yash Dayal wasn’t far behind either, taking four wickets in the powerplay. The three mostly bowled during the powerplay, taking 22 wickets out of total 27 wickets taken by RCB bowlers during this phase. Due to their performances in powerplay, spinners Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma were able to put pressure in the middle-overs and take wickets, pushing the team closer towards victories.
The way ahead
RCB seem to have found a winning formula in IPL 2025—investing in pacers who can strike early and put the opposition on the backfoot in the powerplay. This strategy played a key role in their title-winning campaign, and they will likely look to carry it forward into the next season. Even if it means breaking the bank, they may go after another quality strike bowler as cover for Hazlewood or Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Alternatively, they could consider replacing Lungi Ngidi or Rasikh Salam with a more effective powerplay specialist.
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