Nadeem enters top bowling performances

The best bowling performances in the previous week came from less-known bowlers. While Shahbaz Nadeem's 3 for 16 against Chargers set up the win for Daredevils, Parvinder Awana's 4 for 34 and Kieron Pollard's 2 for 14 came in defeats.Bowlers dominated the tournament for the first few days, with top performances from spinners and pace bowlers. Ravindra Jadeja's 5 for 16 against Chargers and Sunil Narine's five-wicket haul against Kings XI continue to hold the top two spots on the list of best bowling performances. Nadeem's 3 for 16 against Chargers, which is ranked seventh, is a new entry to the top ten.

Nadeem's economy rate was 4.00 in agame where the match run-rate was 8.14. In addition, his three wickets were those of top-order batsmen. Awana picked up the first four wickets to fall during his spell of 4 for 34 against Royal Challengers but was unable to prevent defeat. His economy rate, although high (8.50), was almost on par with the match run-rate (8.32).

R Ashwin's performances this season have not been impressive. Although his economy rate is low (6.53), he has taken only three wickets at an average of 57.33. As a result, he has dropped from third to sixth on the overall bowling list. On the other hand, Muttiah Muralitharan has picked up eight wickets at an average of 14 and economy rate of 7.00. He's moved up from seventh to fourth from last week.

Rahul Sharma, who was hit by Gayle for five consecutive sixes in an over, has slipped out of the top ten after a below par start. His average (27.66) and economy rate (7.54) in seven matches are well above his corresponding figures before the start of IPL 2012 (20.95 and 6.22). Perhaps the biggest surprise is the entry of Morne Morkel into the top ten. After six matches, Morkel leads the wickets tally with 15 at an average of 10.80, and an economy rate just over seven. Before the tournament he had 13 wickets at an average of 33.15 and economy rate of 7.56.