Top 10 greatest IPL matches of all time
Since its launch in 2008, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has given cricket fans many unforgettable experiences. The Indian Premier League has seen some of the most exciting matches in sports history, from thrilling endings to incredible comebacks.
The thrill, drama, and pure skill of the players on the field will all be highlighted in this article as we examine the top 10 best IPL matches ever.
1. MI vs KKR 2011
The Mumbai Indians (MI) have a tradition of pulling off thrilling triumphs in the last over of games, something that was demonstrated in an exciting final over in Kolkata nine years ago.
With 40 runs needed off of 15 innings and Kieron Pollard’s leg stump seemingly out of the picture, MI pulled off the unlikeliest of victories due to some brilliant batting from James Franklin.
In the penultimate over, needing 21 runs, the Kiwi hit four straight fours off Lakshmipathy Balaji. Ambati Rayudu then blasted the last ball, a leg-stump full toss, into the startled Eden Gardens crowd, securing MI’s spot in the elimination round.
2. CSK vs Punjab 2010
In T20 cricket, MS Dhoni has somewhat of a reputation as a specialized “finisher,” and evenings such as this one in Dharamsala help to explain why.
After four overs, CSK rallied from 27-2 to require 16 from the final Irfan Pathan over in order to advance to the semi-finals. Their skipper took just four deliveries to reach a career-high score of 54* off of 29 balls, securing CSK’s spot in the knockout rounds.
3. RPS vs Punjab 2016
The new team, the same MS Dhoni. The hitting was as remarkable even though the Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) were fighting to escape the wooden spoon rather than advance to the knockout stages.
With 22 needed from the last five balls, RPS appeared doomed to finish last. To cap off one of the most unlikely chases in IPL history, Dhoni had different plans. He scorched Axar Patel for a four and three sixes, including smashing the last ball over midwicket into the stands with a signature helicopter shot.
4. CSK vs KKR 2018
A number seven batter seldom blitzes 11 sixes on route to 88* from 36 balls. The highlight of this intense match in Chennai should have been Andre Russell’s record-breaking score for an IPL player batting at seven or below. However, a thrilling chase that saw CSK blast 17 from the crucial final over stole the show.
Has Russell’s work been in vain? Maybe not. Fans of The Grade Cricketer may contend that setting a world record while playing on a losing team is a more satisfying experience than hitting a losing hundred. The Jamaican went on to win the title of Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
5. MI vs SRH 2019
Not all of the best Twenty20 matches end in massive run-outs. Nothing is more amazing than defending a modest total, as seen by the thrilling match between MI and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) last year.
The 22-year-old Antiguan Alzarri Joseph, who was only chosen because Lasith Malinga was unavailable, made his IPL debut by bowling the leading run-scorer of the competition, David Warner, with his first ball.
In just 3.4 overs, Joseph had achieved the greatest bowling statistics in IPL history due to his deceptive speed; his 6-12 had surpassed Sohail Tanvir’s previous mark of 6-14, which had stood since the tournament’s first year in 2008.
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6. RCB vs Pune Warriors 2013
It was the Chris Gayle show, the extraordinary performance by the self-described “Universe Boss”. As RCB produced the greatest team total in the tournament’s history, Gayle broke IPL records for the highest individual score ever, the fastest century (30 balls), and the most sixes in an innings (17). Gayle struck 175* off 66 balls.
Any remaining questions about who should have won the player of the match were answered when Gayle finished a magnificent individual effort with two wickets for five runs (orange).
7. KKR vs RCB 2008
Even though many said the Indian Premier League will revolutionize cricket, we didn’t really see how until Brendon McCullum hammered an undefeated 158 on the first night of the competition.
With an incredible show of power and fury in his stroke play, McCullum broke the previous world record of Cameron White’s 141* in 2006 for the most individual runs in a Twenty20 innings. He struck more sixes (13) than fours (10).
8. MI vs RPS 2017 Final
The team led by Rohit Sharma has developed the habit of peaking when their odds of winning are at their lowest. Mumbai’s campaign seemed over as they fell to 79-7, but Mitchell Johnson and Krunal Pandya’s potent lower-order hitting helped them rally to an almost acceptable score.
And it turned out to be Johnson’s night as the Australian held off Manoj Tiwary and fellow countryman Steve Smith for seven runs in the last five deliveries to win Mumbai’s third IPL championship.
9. MI vs CSK 2019 Final
Another victory for MI in the last ball game, won by a single run. After a string of lackluster 2017 performances, Lasith Malinga—who wasn’t even bought in the 2018 auction—and Jasprit Bumrah saved MI with a display of T20 death bowling.
While Malinga gave up a meager three runs from the final three deliveries, including trapping Shardul Thakur leg before wicket with the penultimate delivery to prevent CSK from winning, Bumrah produced a player-of-the-match performance of 2-14 from four overs.
10. MI vs RR 2014
Possibly the best IPL ending ever. The Rajasthan Royals (RR) plotted to lose a game that they believed to be won. MI felt they were out of the running and made it to the playoffs.
The abandoned headgear of Royals coach Rahul Dravid was lying crumpled on the ground of the dugout. Aditya Tare, the batter for MI, ran off the wicket with his shirt pulled over his head, resembling Cristiano Ronaldo after his team won the Champions League final.
The contrast of feelings captured a turbulent qualifying round. MI chose to pursue, and to overtake RR on net run rate, they had to reach their goal in 14.3 overs. And they did !!
