The absence of Lasith Malinga and Harbhajan Singh has widened the top bowler markets for the Indian Premier League 2020.
Malinga is the top wicket-taker in the history of the IPL. Harbhajan has the third most wickets. Both won't be involved in the tournament this year.
The other three that make up the top five bowlers in IPL history, though, will participate in the 2020 competition. They are central to our IPL betting tips, as are others who impressed in the 2019 tournament.
Our team of expert writers also followed the recent Caribbean Premier League tournament closely. We have some predictions to make based on the form and trends in the CPL 2020.
Make Mujeeb Your Favourite to Be the Top IPL Bowler
Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman has just finished playing in the Caribbean. He wasn't able to secure the title with the Jamaica Tallawahs, but did finish the tournament as the second-highest wicket-taker.
Conditions in Trinidad were somewhat similar to what should be experienced in the United Arab Emirates, where spinners will enjoy some turn, bounce and bite on dry pitches.
Ur Rahman could open the bowling for the Kings XI Punjab, like he did with great success for the Tallawahs. He is at longer odds than fellow Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan to be the top bowler in the IPL.
But based on current form and how key he will be to the Punjab squad, Dafabet's price of 21.0 in this market could bring great value.
They are also offering each-way terms on the same bet of 1/4, 1-2-3-4. We're big fans of this when writing up our IPL betting tips because will can still profit if Mujeeb only finishes among the top four bowlers.
9 Spinners Worth Betting on for IPL Top Bowler
- Rashid Khan took a wicket or more in six of his last seven CPL 2020 matches
- Imran Tahir was the top bowler in the IPL 2019
- Sunil Narine took the most wickets among Kolkata spinners last season
- Yuzvendra Chahal was the Royal Challengers Bangalore's top bowler in the 2019 IPL
- Ravichandran Ashwin has left Kings XI Punjab for Delhi Capitals and has a point to prove
- Adam Zampa was a late addition to the RCB squad and has been in fine form for Australia
- Amit Mishra has the most IPL wickets among all spinner in IPL history
- Ravindra Jadeja has more onus in Harbhajan's absence at the Chennai Super Kings
IPL Spinner |
Winner Odds |
Rashid Khan |
11.0 |
Imran Tahir |
15.0 |
Sunil Narine |
15.0 |
Mujeeb Ur Rahman |
21.0 |
Yuzvendra Chahal |
21.0 |
Ravichandran Ashwin |
21.0 |
Ravindra Jadeja |
26.0 |
Amit Mishra |
34.0 |
Adam Zampa |
34.0 |
Bet on Bumrah if you Think a Seamer Will Be the Top IPL Bowler
With Malinga out, Jasprit Bumrah is tasked with leading the Mumbai Indians seam attack. He will likely be the constant in a seam department that will rotate between overseas stars James Pattinson, Mitchell McClenaghan, Trent Boult and Nathan Coulter-Nile – and local heroes Dhawal Kulkarni, Mohsin Khan and Hardik Pandya.
Bumrah is renowned for his pinpoint yorkers. He can bowl well at the start of the innings and at the death, whether Mumbai are looking to limit the target or defend one.
He averages more than a wicket a match after 77 IPL appearances, which is a sustained period of success. In last season's IPL, he took the joint fifth-most wickets.

If not Bumrah at 11.00 with Dafabet to be the top bowler in the IPL, then consider Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jofra Archer and Mohammed Shami. All three seamers are priced at 15.0 in the same market.
It's well worth noting that Dafabet also have markets for top bowler per franchise. Here, Bumrah is priced at 2.5, Hardik 5.5 and Boult 8.0. This is a great market for those who are confident a player will do well in the tournament, but don't necessarily want to back him to be the outright top bowler.
7 Seamers to Back for IPL Top Bowler
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar will lead the Sunrisers Hyderabad seam attack
- Jofra Archer is back for the Rajasthan Royals, now with international experience
- Mohammed Shami has said the IPL is good practice for ODI and T20I cricket
- Jaydev Unadkat has returned to Rajasthan and impressed in the 2019-20 Ranji Trophy
- Kagiso Rabada was the top seamer in the 2019 IPL
- Deepak Chahar was third only to Rabada and Tahir last season
IPL Seamer |
Winner Odds |
Jasprit Bumrah |
11.0 |
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
|
15.0 |
Jofra Archer
|
15.0 |
Mohammed Shami
|
15.0 |
Jaydev Unadkat
|
15.0 |
Kagiso Rabada |
21.0 |
Deepak Chahar |
26.0 |
Take a Long Shot at 101.0 Pollard for IPL Top Bowler
Kieron Pollard bowls less and less these days, but recently found himself playing more and more of a role with the ball for the Trinbago Knight Riders in the CPL.
That was partly because of Dwayne Bravo's occasional absence, but also because the big West Indian all-rounder read conditions so well with his variations in pace and length.
The same could happen in the IPL where Malinga's exit could mean more overs for Pollard later in the innings. Conditions in the UAE won't be entirely unlike the Caribbean, too.
Pollard is priced at 101.0 to be the top bowler in the IPL.

If you are looking for something shorter but still a long shot, then Lungi Ngidi at 67.0 could do for the Chennai Super Kings this season what Rabada did for Delhi last year. Bravo at 51.0 and Tom Curran at 41.0 are also tidy options.
Remember, Dafabet India have each-way terms – 1/4, 1-2-3-4 – for the top IPL bowler market. There negates some risk in that if you are quite, but not entirely convinced, of your choices.
What Else to Bet on in the IPL?
The IPL betting tips we compile will be available for each and every match.
We've also put together predictions on the outright winner and who will be the top IPL batsman in 2020.