Fifty matches of IPL 2026 have been played so far. As yet, no team has secured its spot in the playoffs, nor has any team been officially eliminated from the playoff race. Only the Mumbai Indians and the Lucknow Super Giants find themselves in a situation where, even if they were to win all their remaining matches, they could reach a maximum tally of just 14 points. Their ultimate fate will, therefore, be determined by the results of other matches. Following three consecutive defeats, Punjab has slipped down from the top spot; notably, three of the team's bowlers feature in the list of the top five bowlers who have conceded 60 runs or more in a single match.
A glance at the statistics after 50 matches in the 19th season of the Indian Premier League reveals that three of the top five bowlers who conceded the most runs in a single match belong to the Punjab Kings—a list that includes Arshdeep Singh. The remaining two bowlers on this list represent the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Coincidentally, these very two teams currently occupy the top two spots on the points table.
1. Xavier Bartlett
Xavier Bartlett is the bowler who has conceded the most runs in a single match this season. Playing for the Punjab Kings, this bowler gave away 69 runs in his four-over spell against the Delhi Capitals on April 25. This is the same match in which KL Rahul scored an unbeaten 152 runs. However, despite scoring a total of 264 runs, Delhi lost the match.
2. Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep Singh conceded 68 runs in his four-over spell against the Rajasthan Royals. He managed to take only one wicket. This match was played at Punjab's home ground in Mullanpur.
3. Saqib Hussain
Sunrisers Hyderabad fast bowler Sakib Hussain ranks third on this list; this is his debut season in the IPL. He has been quite impressive with his bowling so far, having claimed 4 wickets in his very first match. However, on April 25, he conceded 62 runs during his four-over spell. It was in this very match that Punjab successfully chased down a target of 265 runs.
4. Marco Jansen
Marco Jansen conceded 61 runs in his four-over spell against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on May 6. Punjab lost this match, marking their third consecutive defeat.
5. Praful Hinge
Prafull Hinge, a member of the Sunrisers Hyderabad team, ranks fifth on the list of bowlers who have conceded the most runs in a single match. On April 18, Hinge conceded 60 runs in his four-over spell against the Chennai Super Kings.
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