The uncapped Indian pacer ended with figures of 5 for 5 in 3.2 overs as he equalled the best economical figures of IPL history with legendary spinner Anil Kumble to help Mumbai Indians get one step closer to the final.
With the figures of 5 for 5, Madhwal also became the first bowler to claim a 5-wicket haul in an IPL playoff match. The previous best bowling figures in the playoffs or knockouts were 4 for 13 by Doug Bollinger for Chennai Super Kings in the 2010 semi-final against Deccan Chargers.
This was also only the third five-wicket haul of IPL 2023. While Lucknow Super Giants pacer Mark Wood claimed the first fifer of the season in his team’s season opener against Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar also claimed one against Gujarat Titans.
GT pacer Mohammed Shami also bowled one of the most economical spells during the season, but ended with a four-wicket haul. Most bowlers ended with four-wicket hauls this season. Here is a look at the best bowling spells in IPL 2023:
Best Bowling Figures in IPL 2023
| Ranking | Player (Team) | Bowling Figures | Versus |
| 1. | Akash Madhwal (Mumbai Indians) | 5 for 5 in 3.2 overs | Lucknow Super Giants |
| 2. | Mark Wood (Lucknow Super Giants) | 5 for 14 in 4 overs | Delhi Capitals |
| 3. | Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Sunrisers Hyderabad) | 5 for 30 in 4 overs | Gujarat Titans |
| 4. | Mohammed Shami (Gujarat Titans) | 4 for 11 in 4 overs | Delhi Capitals |
| 5. | Mayank Markande (Sunrisers Hyderabad) | 4 for 15 in 4 over | Punjab Kings |
| 6. | Varun Chakaravarthy (Kolkata Knight Riders) | 4 for 15 in 3.4 overs | Royal Challengers Bangalore |
| 7. | Yuzvendra Chahal (Rajasthan Royals) | 4 for 17 in 4 overs | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| 8. | Mohammed Siraj (Royal Challengers Bangalore) | 4 for 21 in 4 overs | Punjab Kings |
| 9. | Moeen Ali (Chennai Super Kings) | 4 for 26 in 4 overs | Lucknow Super Giants |
| 10. | Mitchell Marsh (Delhi Capitals) | 4 for 27 in 4 overs | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| 11. | Mohit Sharma (Gujarat Titans) | 4 for 28 in 4 overs | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| 12. | Arshdeep Singh (Punjab Kings) | 4 for 29 in 4 overs | Mumbai Indians |
| 13. | Harpreet Brar (Punjab Kings) | 4 for 30 in 4 overs | Delhi Capitals |
| 14. | Rashid Khan (Gujarat Titans) | 4 for 30 in 4 overs | Mumbai Indians |
| 15. | Nathan Ellis (Punjab Kings) | 4 for 30 in 4 overs | Rajasthan Royals |
Madhwal, who took four wickets or more in two matches in a row, also produced the best bowling figures by an uncapped player in IPL history, surpassing Ankit Rajpoot’s figures of 5 for 14 in 2018 season for Punjab Kings.
Madhwal’s figures of 5 for 5 is also the joint fourth best overall and the joint best among Indian bowlers after Anil Kumble’s 5 for 5 in 2009. Former Mumbai Indians and current Gujarat Titans pacer tops the list with figures of 6 for 12.
Last season Madhwal’s teammate Jasprit Bumrah had claimed 5 wickets for 10 runs in a league stage match between Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders to enter the top 10. Here is the best bowling figures in IPL history.
| Ranking | Player (Team) | Bowling Figures | Versus | Year |
| 1. | Alzarri Joseph (Mumbai Indians) | 6 for 12 in 3.4 overs | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 2019 |
| 2. | Sohail Tanvir (Rajasthan Royals) | 6 for 14 in 4 overs | Chennai Super Kings | 2008 |
| 3. | Adam Zampa (Rising Pune Supergiant) | 6 for 19 in 4 overs | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 2016 |
| 4. | Anil Kumble (Royal Challengers Bangalore) | 5 for 5 in 3.1 overs | Rajasthan Royals | 2009 |
| 5. | Akash Madhwal (Mumbai Indians) | 5 for 5 in 3.2 overs | Lucknow Super Giants | 2023 |
| 6. | Jasprit Bumrah (Mumbai Indians) | 5 for 10 in 4 overs | Kolkata Knight Riders | 2022 |
| 7. | Ishant Sharma (Deccan Chargers) | 5 for 12 in 3 overs | Kochi Tuskers Kerala | 2011 |
| 8. | Lasith Malinga (Mumbai Indians) | 5 for 13 in 3.4 overs | Delhi Capitals | 2011 |
| 9. | Ankit Rajpoot (Punjab Kings) | 5 for 14 in 4 overs | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 2018 |
| 10. | Andre Russell (Kolkata Knight Riders) | 5 for 15 in 2 overs | Mumbai Indians | 2021 |
