Top 5 best chases in IPL history
The IPL is known for explosive batting innings, and a high run total is quite common in the tournament. But chasing down a big score is rare in IPL, yet many teams have managed to accomplish it. Read the list of the highest successful run chases in IPL history here.
The Indian Premier League is the biggest and one of the most entertaining sporting events in the country. Most people watch IPL for its unexpected and thrilling playing action, which is usually delivered by the batting side. There is no surety in IPL. Any team win on any given day, no matter how big or small the scoreboard is. Yet, a 200-plus run total is considered a safe bet in most cases.
However, there have been times when the chasing side has rocketed towards high, even 200-plus scores easily. It’s quite uncommon but is happening more frequently lately as the sport is evolving and players getting better.
You can check out the list of the highest successful run chases in IPL history below:
5. Mumbai Indians – 216 vs Punjab Kings in 2023
4. Sunrisers Hyderabad – 217 vs Rajasthan Royals in 2023
3. Rajasthan Royals – 217 vs Deccan Chargers in 2008
2. Mumbai Indians – 219 vs Chennai Super Kings in 2021
Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings never fail to disappoint their fans whenever they take on each other in IPL. The 27th match of IPL 2021 was one of the highlights of this year’s IPL. Batting first, CSK posted a mammoth 218-run total in the first innings. Faf du Plessis and Moeen Ali set the foundation for a big total early in the innings, putting together a 108-run partnership for the second wicket.
Faf scored 50 off 28 balls, while Moeen Ali amassed 58 runs off 36 balls. Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu produced an exhibition of sixes in the latter half of the innings, scoring 72 runs off just 27 balls and thereby helping CSK post a huge 218-run total. Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock gave a rollicking start to Mumbai Indians in the second innings, smashing 71 runs in 7.4 overs before Rohit Sharma got out off Shardul Thakur on 35 off 24 balls.
Quinton de Kock scored 38 off 28 balls, while Krunal Pandya amassed 32 off 23 balls. Runs were flowing but CSK managed to take wickets at regular intervals. However, the Men in Yellow couldn’t stop Pollard, who produced a belter of a knock to guide his team home. Kieron Pollard smashed 87 runs off 34 balls and chased down the total on the final ball of the match.
1. Rajasthan Royals – 226 vs Punjab Kings in 2020
Rajasthan Royals 226 for 6 (Samson 85, Tewatia 53, Smith 50, Shami 3-53) beat Kings XI Punjab 223 for 2 (Agarwal 106, Rahul 69) by four wickets
The ninth match of IPL 2020 took place between Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Given the smaller dimensions of the ground, a high-scoring game was on the cards. KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal put an exhibition of sixes in the first innings with the latter being the aggressor. Mayank Agarwal took the bowlers on a leather hunt as he smashed 10 fours and 7 sixes en route to his 106 off 50 balls.
KL Rahul, on the other hand, played an anchor role, having scored 69 off 54 balls. The duo batted till the 16th over before Agarwal departed in the 17th over. A heart-warming 8-ball 25-run cameo from Nicholas Pooran finished Punjab Kings at 223 for 2 in the first innings. Sheldon Cottrel sent Jos Buttler back to the Pavillion in the second innings to add further misery to Rajasthan Royals.
However, what followed was a brilliant partnership between Steve Smith and Sanju Samson, who added 81 runs off 40 balls. Steve Smith got out after scoring a handful half-century but Samson took the match as deep as possible. Mohammad Shami finally sent the RR skipper back to the Pavillion after scoring 85 off 42 balls. Not many people would have placed their bet on RR to win the game after Samson’s wicket.
However, what followed was five sixes in the 18th over to turn the table in RR’s favour. Rahul Tewatia smashed Sheldon Cottrell for five sixes in one over to take the game away from Punjab’s hands. It brought down the equation to 21 off the final 2 overs. Jofra Archer hit 2 sixes to tilt the game completely in RR’s favour. Sanju Samson and Co. eventually chased down the total in 19.3 overs making it the highest-ever successful run chase in IPL history.
