As the IPL 2025 Final looms, we look back at the bowlers who turned the tide when the stakes were highest
Some bowlers thrive in the group stages. Others excel in the knockouts. But then there are the rare few who rise to the occasion when the final curtain is about to fall. As the excitement builds around the IPL 2025 finale, it's only fitting to rewind the clock and remember those spells that either shut the door on chasing dreams or flung them wide open.
These are not just bowling figures but moments woven into the IPL's folklore. Let's roll back the years, from a legendary leggie in Johannesburg to a Caribbean storm in Chennai.
4-0-16-4 vs Deccan Chargers, Johannesburg
When the IPL went global for the first time, Anil Kumble rolled up his sleeves for Royal Challengers Bangalore and let the googlies do the talking. The final was tense, low-scoring, edgy, and played on a seamer-friendly pitch in South Africa. But Kumble? He wove magic.
Credit: ESPN
He knocked over Gilchrist for a duck, foxed Symonds with a leg-side trap, lured Rohit Sharma into a lofty miscue, and then dismissed Venugopal Rao with a teasing flighted ball. In just 4 overs, the veteran claimed figures of 4 for 16. The Chargers squeaked through by 6 runs, but Kumble stole the show with the ball.
4-0-16-3 vs RCB, Chennai
Chennai was roaring, the crowd electric, and RCB were chasing 206. All eyes were on Chris Gayle, the most dangerous man in the IPL. However, Ravichandran Ashwin had other plans.
Credit: ESPN
In just four balls, Gayle was walking back. Ashwin had delivered one, a quicker, flatter delivery that took the edge. Then he outsmarted Mayank Agarwal with a carrom ball and convinced Vettori to offer a return catch. His 3 for 16 aided Chennai in tightening the screws early. RCB never got going, collapsed under pressure, finishing on just 147/8.
4-0-42-4 vs Mumbai Indians, Eden Gardens
This was a high-octane final—Mumbai Indians posted 148, but Dwayne Bravo's 4-wicket haul cut through the late surge. His figures may appear expensive, but the wickets came at crucial moments.
Credit: India Today
He dismissed Rayudu right after a timeout, then removed Harbhajan and Johnson in the slog overs before finishing off with Malinga. The rhythm of the Calypso met the madness of the IPL. Despite Bravo's effort with the ball, Chennai's batting crumbled under pressure. Chasing 149, they were restricted to 125/9.
4-0-54-4 vs KKR, Bengaluru
This one's a wildcard. Karanveer Singh wasn't a household name, but on that steamy June night in Bengaluru, he gave Kings XI Punjab a genuine sniff.
Credit: ESPN
He dismissed Gambhir on the first ball, then sent back Yusuf Pathan, Ten Doeschate, and Manish Pandey. The figures—4 for 54—don't scream economy, but they do shout impact. Each wicket came at a crucial moment. KKR won with just three balls to spare. Without Karanveer's strikes, it could've ended sooner.
4-0-17-3 vs Rajasthan Royals, Ahmedabad
Leading the Gujarat Titans in their debut season, Hardik Pandya poured his heart into the final. After electing to bowl, he stifled the Royals with tight lines and sharp cutters.
Credit: ESPN
He dismissed the dangerous trio—Samson, Buttler, and Hetmyer—ending with figures of 4 for 17. RR crawled to 130. Gujarat chased it down and claimed the title in style. Captain. Finisher. Enforcer. Pandya wore all the hats.
2.3-0-19-3 vs SRH, Chennai
The pressure was on when the Kolkata Knight Riders faced the Sunrisers Hyderabad. But as he often does, Andre Russell blew the game wide open.
Credit: ESPN
He came on late, sent back Markram with a brute delivery, forced Samad into a loose poke, and wrapped up Cummins to close the innings at just 113. KKR won with nearly 10 overs to spare. It was brutal. It was fast. It was vintage Russell.
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