From Bravo’s four-wicket blitz to Russell’s 2024 thunderstrike, these spells turned the IPL Final on its head
The IPL final isn’t just another match; it’s a pressure cooker where heroes are forged and legends are born. Overseas bowlers have often carried their teams on their shoulders with spellbinding performances that have spun the fate of trophies in their favour.
Let’s dive into five unforgettable bowling masterclasses where foreign pacers unleashed raw firepower and turned the tide of finals.
Credit: Quint
4-0-42-4 | CSK vs MI | Eden Gardens
While CSK couldn’t cross the finish line in the 2013 final, Dwayne Bravo illuminated Eden Gardens with a fiery spell that left the Mumbai Indians wobbling. The West Indian all-rounder bowled with passion, pace, and skill, taking four wickets at crucial intervals.
He dismissed Ambati Rayudu just after a timeout — talk about breaking the rhythm. Then came the scalps of Harbhajan Singh, Mitchell Johnson, and Lasith Malinga in the death overs. Although his 4/42 went in vain as CSK fell 23 runs short, Bravo left the field with his head held high, having bowled his heart out.
Credit: ESPN
2.3-0-19-3 | KKR vs SRH | Chepauk
This wasn’t merely a bowling performance; Andre Russell came in like a wrecking ball. With Hyderabad attempting to claw their way to a respectable total, Russell cranked up the intensity in his brief spell.
He dismissed Aiden Markram, Abdul Samad, and ultimately Pat Cummins, shattering the backbone of SRH’s innings. With 3 wickets in just 15 deliveries, Russell set the stage for an 8-wicket victory for KKR that felt more like a demolition job than a contest.
Credit: ESPN
4-0-25-3 | MI vs CSK | Eden Gardens
Mumbai posted a formidable 202/5 in the final. However, it required someone to step up with the ball and dismantle CSK’s response early on. Mitchell McClenaghan did just that.
He dismissed Michael Hussey early on and then followed it up by sending off Dwayne Bravo and R Ashwin in a high-pressure chase. His accuracy and capacity to bowl heavy balls worked wonders. Mumbai cruised to a 41-run victory, and McClenaghan’s influence could not be overlooked.
4-0-26-3 | MI vs RPS | Hyderabad
Defending a meagre total of 129, Mitchell Johnson was assigned the task of delivering the final over with Rising Pune Supergiant requiring 11 runs.
Talk about walking into a fire. He didn’t just hold his nerve; he shattered it for the opposition. He dismissed Manoj Tiwary and Steve Smith off consecutive deliveries in the last over — swinging the game Mumbai’s way by a solitary run. Nerves of steel, hands of gold.
Credit: ESPN
4-0-30-3 | MI vs DC | Dubai
Trent Boult kicked off the final with his very first ball, dismissing Marcus Stoinis right away. Two overs later, Rahane followed. Then came the wicket of Hetmyer in the death, as Boult’s swing did the talking.
Delhi Capitals never quite recovered, having posted 156 on the board, which was chased down easily by Mumbai. MI won by 5 wickets, and Boult finished the tournament with the Player of the Match medal clinking in his bag.
