In T20Is, economy rate is one of the most critical bowling metrics, and discussions around the worst economy rate for India in a T20I match often trend heavily among cricket fans and analysts. The India team has, however, produced many world-class bowlers, but even the elite attacks have endured expensive outings in high-scoring T20I matches. But before we list down the worst economy rates in T20Is, let’s see what the term actually refers to.
The term ‘worst economy rate’ refers to the highest runs conceded per over by a bowler in a single T20I, considering a minimum of one over. In modern cricket, where 200+ totals are common, even experienced pacers and spinners can record economy rates above 12, 14, or even 15 runs per over in difficult conditions. While it’s not just a bad day for the bowler, several factors contribute to a poor economy rate in T20Is, like flat batting pitches, short boundaries, the dew factor, death-over pressure, and aggressive powerplay batting.
Speaking specifically of Indian bowlers, overseas tours in Australia, South Africa, or the West Indies have historically produced high-scoring encounters, increasing the risk of expensive spells. Let’s take a look at the bowlers with the worst economy rates in T20Is.
5 worst economy rates for Indian bowlers in a T20I innings
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
| Shivam Dube | 2.0 | 55 | 1 | 23.00 | Zimbabwe | Chennai | 26 Feb 2026 |
| Ravichandran Ashwin | 2.0 | 41 | 0 | 20.50 | Australia | Rajkot | 10 Oct 2013 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 2.0 | 38 | 0 | 19.00 | Australia | Bridgetown | 7 May 2010 |
| Arshdeep Singh | 2.0 | 37 | 0 | 18.50 | Sri Lanka | Pune | 5 Jan 2023 |
| Prasidh Krishna | 4.0 | 68 | 0 | 17.00 | Australia | Guwahati | 28 Nov 2023 |
Shivam Dube: 23.00 vs Zimbabwe in T20 World Cup 2026
Shivam Dube’s economy rate of 23.00 in India’s T20 World Cup 2026 Super Eight match against Zimbabwe is the most expensive spell registered by an Indian bowler in T20Is. In his two overs, Dube conceded 46 runs while picking a wicket, thus resulting in a staggering economy of 23.00 runs per over.
Ravichandran Ashwin: 20.50 vs Australia in 2013
Next in line sits former India international and one of the greats of the game, Ravichandran Ashwin. Ashwin registered his worst and second-worst figures for the Indian side in T20Is in a match against Australia in 2013, where he conceded runs at the rate of 20.50 per over. However, the exact reasoning for this is not known, but it might have occurred due to the high-scoring conditions, which are a true feature of the batting surfaces in Australia.
Ravindra Jadeja: 19.00 vs Australia in 2010
Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is third in the list after he registered figures of 0/38 in his two overs during a T20I match against Australia in 2010. Despite being known for tight lines, the quick-armed left-arm spin bowler had a costly outing as he registered an economy of 19.00.
Arshdeep Singh: 18.50 vs Sri Lanka in 2023
Arshdeep Singh, who is now India’s highest wicket-taker in T20 World Cups, also features in the list as he registered an economy rate of 18.50 in a match against Sri Lanka in 2023. The left-arm pacer bowled two overs, conceding 37 runs without picking up a wicket, resulting in one of his worst economy rates.
Prasidh Krishna: 17.00 vs Australia in 2023
Among the top five bowlers to register the worst economy rates for India in T20Is is Prasidh Krishna. In a T20I match against Australia in 2023, Krishna bowled four overs, conceding 68 runs and going wicketless, resulting in an economy of 17.00 runs per over.
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