The Problem with Overall Stats

A bowler with an economy of 8.50 looks average on paper. But what if his powerplay economy is 7.20 and his death economy is 10.50? That's a very different bowler from someone with 8.50 across all phases. Phase-based stats reveal the true picture.

Powerplay Economy (Overs 1-6)

In the powerplay, only 2 fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Bowlers who can restrict scoring here are gold. A PP economy under 7.50 is excellent. Bumrah's PP economy of 7.82 is remarkable for a fast bowler who bowls to set batters.

What to look for:

• Fast bowlers who can swing the new ball and maintain accuracy
• Spinners who can exploit the batting powerplay restrictions
• Dot ball percentage in the powerplay — above 40% is elite

Middle Overs Economy (Overs 7-15)

This is the spin zone. Teams often use their best spinners in the middle overs to control the run rate. An economy under 7.00 in the middle overs is world-class. Rashid Khan's 6.28 middle-overs economy makes him the most valuable middle-overs bowler in IPL history.

Death Overs Economy (Overs 16-20)

The death overs separate the good from the great. Batting teams target 12+ runs per over in this phase. A death-over economy under 9.00 is elite. This is where players like Bumrah justify their price tags. When assessing team strength, always check: who bowls their death overs, and how good are they at it?

Using This in Analysis

When a team with an elite death bowler (economy < 8.50) faces a team that relies on death-over hitting, the total runs market becomes interesting. The death bowler's team is likely to restrict the total, making the "under" pick more attractive.