In a big tournament like the Indian Premier League (IPL), we see high-scoring clashes throughout the season. There have been several instances where the teams went on to chase a high totals and shattered several batting records. However, there were also matches where the teams came out victorious even after posting a below par score or even lower while batting first in the IPL.
In a tournament where we see 200 plus totals getting chased very easily in today’s times, there are some matches where even a target below 120 runs can turn out to be a challenging one for the chasing side. Teams have been able to win a match while defending a low total and etched in their name in the IPL history. In the following listicle, we will have a look at the top five lowest totals defended in IPL history.
Lowest Scores defended in IPL History :
6. Mumbai Indians: 120/9 vs Pune Warriors India, 2012
Mumbai Indians defeated Pune Warriors India in a low scoring thriller even after scoring run-a-ball in their 20 overs in Pune on May 3, 2012. Batting first, MI could only post 120 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in their 20 overs, with Sachin Tendulkar top scoring with 34(35) runs. However, the MI bowlers made the target of 120 runs look like a huge one as Pune Warriors couldn’t find a big knock from their batters. Mithun Manhas scored a fighting 42*(34) runs but couldn’t take his team down the line as Pune Warriors fell short of MI’s total by just run sccoring 119 losing 6 wickets in 20 overs.
5. Sunrisers Hyderabad: 119/8 vs Pune Warriors India, 2013
Sunrisers Hyderabad stunned Pune Warriors India despite not even getting 120 runs in 120 balls in Pune on April 17, 2013. Batting first, SRH could only score 119 runs losing 8 wickets in their 20 overs, with Biplab Samantray top scoring with run-a-ball 37 runs. Chasing the winning target, PWI were also looking in good position with the score of 101/4 in 16.5 overs. However, things took a dramatic turn after the wicket fell on the very next ball. From 101/4, Pune Warriors were bowled out for just 108 runs in 19 overs, losing their last six wickets adding just 7 runs to their total. Amit Mishra shone with the figures of 4/19 as SRH won the match by 11 runs.
4. Kings XI Punjab: 119/8 vs Mumbai Indians, 2009
Kings XI Punjab (now known as Punjab Kings) defeated Mumbai Indians inn a low scoring thriller in Durban on April 29, 2009. Batting first, Punjab posted 119 runs losing 8 wickets with Kumar Sangakkara scoring 45 runs off 44 balls. Chasing the winning target, MI had a disastrous start as they loss three wickets for just 12 runs inside five overs. After that, JP Duminy went on to play a fighting knock of 59(63) but couldn’t take his team down the line. Despite the recovery, MI could only post 116/7 after 20 overs, losing the match by 3 runs.
3. Sunrisers Hyderabad: 118 vs Mumbai Indians, 2018
Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Mumbai Indians even after getting bowled out 118 runs on a batting friendly pitch of the Wankhede Stadium on April 24, 2018. Batting first, SRH bowled out for 118 runs in 18.4 overs with skipper Kane Williamson and Yusuf Pathan scoring 29 runs each. In reply, MI gave even worst batting performance as none of the other batters apart from Suryakumar Yadav and Krunal Pandya could reach the double digit mark. Chasing 119 runs, MI were bowled out for just 87 runs in 18.5 overs as SRH won the match by 31 runs.
2. Chennai Super Kings: 116/9 vs Kings XI Punjab, 2009
Chennai Super Kings for defending the lowest total in IPL history. In a match against Kings XI Punjab in Durban on May 20, 2009, CSK could only post 116 runs losing 9 wickets in their 20 overs. In reply, Punjab could only reach 92 runs losing 8 wickets in their 20 overs as CSK won the match by 24 runs
1. Punjab Kings: 111 vs Kolkata Knight Riders, 2025
Punjab Kings created history as they defeated Kolkata Knight Riders while defending a total of just 111 runs at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh on April 15. Batting first, PBKS were bowled out for just 111 runs in 15.3 overs. After that, the PBKS bowler made a great comeback with Yuzvendra Chahal registering match-winning figures of 4/28 as KKR were bowled out for 95 runs in 15.1 overs.
