Anish AgrawalMay 17, 20237min0

Lowest totals defended in Indian Premier League history

Indian Premier League

In the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL), there have been several instances where teams successfully defended low totals, showcasing that T20 cricket is not solely dominated by batsmen. 

Let’s delve into the five matches where the lowest totals were defended in IPL history.

5: Mumbai Indians (MI) vs. Pune Warriors India (PWI)

The year 2012 witnessed a captivating encounter between Mumbai and Pune. Harbhajan Singh, the captain of MI, won the toss and decided to bat first. However, their batting innings could only muster a modest total of 120 runs while losing nine wickets in the process. In pursuit of 121 runs for victory, the Pune Warriors’ batsmen encountered difficulties in finding their rhythm as Mumbai’s bowlers demonstrated remarkable control over the game. The MI bowlers executed their plans effectively, keeping a tight leash on the scoring rate and regularly picking up crucial wickets.

Despite the challenging circumstances, Mithun Manhas of the Pune Warriors showcased great determination and fought valiantly to keep his team’s hopes alive. He played a resilient innings, taking the match down to the wire and setting up a nail-biting finish. As the final over arrived, Pune Warriors required four runs to win off the last ball. However, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, representing the Mumbai Indians, delivered an outstanding final delivery, conceding only two runs. His accurate bowling under immense pressure secured a narrow one-run victory for the MI, leaving PW agonizingly close to victory.

4: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) vs. Pune Warriors India (PWI)

Sunrisers Hyderabad, known for their prowess in defending low scores, showcased their strength in this encounter against Pune Warriors India. SRH batted first and could only muster 119 runs, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rahul Sharma impressing with the ball for Pune.

In response, Pune started well but lost their way in the middle overs, eventually falling short by 11 runs. Amit Mishra turned out to be the star of the match, claiming a memorable hat-trick and leading SRH to victory with his exceptional bowling alongside Thissara Perera.

3: Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) vs. Mumbai Indians (MI)

In the 2009 Indian Premier League (IPL), Kings XI Punjab emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter against the Mumbai Indians while defending a modest total. KXIP batted first and posted 119/8 in their allotted 20 overs, with Kumar Sangakkara contributing 45 runs off 44 balls.

In pursuit of the target, Mumbai Indians could only manage 116/7, losing the match by a mere three runs. JP Duminy provided some resistance for Mumbai, scoring 59 runs off 63 balls, but it wasn’t enough to secure victory for his team.

2: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) vs. Mumbai Indians (MI)

In the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018, a highly anticipated clash took place between SRH and the formidable MI. SRH won the toss and opted to bat first, setting a target of 118 runs, which seemed quite modest considering the T20 format. However, the SRH innings encountered difficulties as their batsmen struggled to build substantial partnerships.

MI’s bowlers, Mayank Markande, Hardik Pandya, and Mitchell McClenaghan, displayed their skills and picked up two wickets each, creating constant pressure on the SRH batsmen. They effectively contained the scoring rate and prevented SRH from gaining momentum.

In response, the Mumbai Indians faced an early setback, losing three wickets in quick succession. Despite the efforts of Krunal Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav to stabilize the innings and form a productive partnership, the rest of the batting lineup failed to contribute significantly. Eventually, Mumbai Indians were bundled out for a mere 87 runs.

This match showcased the importance of disciplined bowling and the effective execution of plans by the SRH bowlers. Their ability to capitalize on the early setbacks faced by MI and maintain their stranglehold throughout the innings proved pivotal in defending the low target and securing a convincing victory.

1: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) vs. Kings XI Punjab (KXIP)

In a remarkable display of their resilience, the CSK once again defied the odds in this particular match. Opting to bat first, CSK faced challenges in building a substantial total and ended up with a modest score of 116 runs for the loss of nine wickets. Parthiv Patel emerged as the top scorer, contributing 32 runs to the team’s total. On the bowling front, Sreesanth stood out for Punjab by claiming two crucial wickets.

However, despite the seemingly attainable target, KXIP faltered in their pursuit as the CSK spinners displayed exceptional skills. They unleashed a formidable bowling attack, leaving the Punjab batsmen struggling to find their footing and gain momentum. The CSK spinners effectively utilized their variations, creating immense pressure on the opposition.

Anish Agrawal

Hi, I am Anish Agrawal and I am the lead cricket journalist for Cricnews. I have been a sports journalist for the past 7 years and have experience covering all major cricket tournaments. My favourite tournament is the IPL and I am a big supporter of the Mumbai Indians.



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