IPL 2023: Top 5 bowling performances from Week 1 of the tournament 

IPL 2023 (Image credit: Twitter)

The first week of the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League has come to an end, and several teams have already delivered outstanding performances. Apart from Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad, eight other teams have played two matches so far in this season. Defending champions Gujarat Titans currently lead the table with 4 points and a +0.700 net run rate, followed by Punjab Kings with the same number of points and a +0.333 run rate. SRH and MI lost their first match and are now ranked last and second last in the points table, respectively.

The first week of the cash-rich league saw several impressive performances from players from various teams. Although T20 cricket is unofficially considered a batter's game, bowlers can also light up the field with their cracking deliveries.

Here are some examples of such performances by bowlers who wowed the cricketing world in the first week of IPL 2023.

5. Varun Chakaravarthy - 4/15 vs RCB

Kolkata Knight Riders' mystery spinner started the IPL 2023 campaign in style as he crushed the Royal Challengers Bangalore batting unit in their second match on Thursday, April 6. RCB batters started their innings well while chasing a massive target of 205, but Chakaravarthy thrashed their hopes by picking four wickets in 3.4 overs and conceding only 15 runs. The 31-year-old started proceedings by dismissing the rival skipper in his first over and managed to dismiss another big fish, Glenn Maxwell, in the very next over.

Chakaravarthy stunned the RCB fans again after two balls by sending back Harshal Patel for duck. When RCB's tail-enders attempted to reduce the impact of their loss by scoring some crucial runs, the Tamil Nadu player finished the innings by dismissing Akash Deep and taking his fourth wicket of the night.

4. Moeen Ali - 4/26 vs LSG

After losing their first game of the IPL 2023 against Gujarat Titans, Chennai Super Kings bounced back with a solid win over Lucknow Super Giants, with Moeen Ali leading the way for the four-time champions. The England all-rounder was named Player of the Match for his brief cameo with the bat and four-wicket haul as CSK defeated LSG by 12 runs.

With pacers being thrashed by LSG batters, Dhoni turned to Moeen in the final over of the powerplay, and the off-spinner did not disappoint his skipper, dismissing in-form Kyle Mayers. The left-hander continued the onslaught with three wickets each in the remaining three overs.

3. Arshdeep Singh - 3/19 vs KKR

Arshdeep Singh was adjudged Player of the Match for his impressive performance against KKR to give PBKS their first win of the tournament. After scoring a commendable 191, PBKS needed to restrict KKR batters from a quick start, and the 24-year-old took charge by dismissing the opponents' top order.

Arshdeep gave a twin strike for PBKS in his first over by sending back Mandeep Singh and Anukul Roy, setting the tone for his team. When KKR's impact player Venkatesh Iyer was going well with one six and three fours, the left-arm pacer gave a breakthrough for PBKS by dismissing him.

2. Nathan Ellis - 4/30 vs RR

PBKS put up a huge total, but they know that defending 198 runs against RR's powerhouse batting lineup will be difficult. Shikhar Dhawan needed one of their bowlers to step up in the process and it was Nathan Ellies who came up with a brilliant performance for his side. The Aussie star picked four wickets in his four overs and conceded just 30 runs to ensure their second win of the tournament.

1. Mark Wood - 5/14 vs DC

England pacer Mark Wood started his IPL 2023 campaign with a match-winning spell of 5/14 against Delhi Capitals. LSG scored a massive 193 and, while defending, Wood wreaked havoc with a five-wicket haul. Delhi openers had a decent start to their innings, but it all came to an end when Wood began his spell in his first over, dismissing Prithvi Shah and Mitchell Marsh on back-to-back deliveries.

The Englishman continued his onslaught and sent back Sarfaraz Khan in his second over to pick his third wicket. Wood completed the fifer in his final over by dismissing Axar Patel and Chetan Sakariya. He was named Player Of The Match for his brilliant performance in his team's first win of the tournament.