Lowest Defended Score in IPL
T20 cricket is a batsmen”s format. But we have witnessed some exceptional bowling performances in this format, especially in the IPL, where bowlers have successfully restricted the batting side to low totals or defended small targets.
The record for the lowest defended score in IPL belongs to RCB. They successfully defended the target of 107 runs against CSK on May 18, 2013. This score is not only the lowest defended total in the IPL but it also highlights the significant role bowlers can play in T20 cricket.
Lowest Defended Score in IPL History
| Sr. No. | Inn: 1 | Score | Inn: 2 | Score | Result | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RCB | 106/2 | CSK | 82/6 | RCB won by 24 Runs | May 18, 2013 |
| 2 | Kings XI | 106/6 | RCB | 84/6 | Kings XI won by 22 runs | May 13, 2015 |
| 3 | CSK | 116/9 | Kings XI | 92/8 | CSK won by 24 runs | May 20, 2009 |
| 4 | SRH | 118 | MI | 87 | SRH won by 31 runs | Apr 24, 2018 |
| 5 | Kings XI | 119/8 | MI | 116/7 | Kings XI won by 3 runs | Apr 29, 2009 |
| 6 | SRH | 119/8 | Warriors | 108 | SRH won by 11 runs | Apr 17, 2013 |
| 7 | MI | 120/9 | Warriors | 119/6 | MI won by 1 run | May 3, 2012 |
| 8 | PBKS | 125/7 | SRH | 120/7 | PBKS won by 5 runs | Sep 25, 2021 |
| 9 | RCB | 126/8 | CSK | 112/8 | RCB won by 14 runs | May 21, 2008 |
| 10 | SRH | 126/6 | Warriors | 104 | SRH won by 22 runs | Apr 5, 2013 |
| 11 | Kings XI | 126/7 | SRH | 114 | Kings XI won by 12 runs | Oct 24, 2020 |
| 12 | RCB | 126/9 | LSG | 108 | RCB won by 18 runs | May 1, 2023 |
| 13 | KKR | 129/7 | RCB | 124/4 | KKR won by 5 runs | May 8, 2008 |
| 14 | DC | 129/7 | Kochi | 74 | Chargers won by 55 runs | Apr 27, 2011 |
| 15 | Warriors | 129/9 | MI | 101/9 | Warriors won by 28 runs | Apr 6, 2012 |
Here is a detailed overview of the top 15 lowest defended scores in IPL history:
15. Warriors vs. MI, Apr 6, 2012
Pune Warriors successfully defended 129/9 against Mumbai Indians and secured a convincing victory over Mumbai Indians by 28 runs in the 3rd match of the Indian Premier League on April 06, 2012.
Batting first, PWI struggled to 129/9 in their 20 overs. Robin Uthappa top-scored with 36 runs, supported by Steven Smith’s 39 off 32 balls. For MI, Lasith Malinga and Munaf Patel took 2 wickets each.
In response, MI faltered in their chase and could only manage 101/9 in their 20 overs. James Franklin top-scored with 32, but no other batsman made a significant contribution.
Ashok Dinda was the pick of the bowlers for PWI, claiming 4 wickets for 18 runs. Murali Kartik also made a vital contribution with 2 wickets. Steven Smith was named the Player of the Match for his crucial innings.
14. DC vs. Kochi, Apr 27, 2011
In a dominant display, Deccan Chargers defended 129/7 against Kochi Tuskers Kerala on April 27, 2011, winning by 55 runs. Batting first, DC posted a total of 129/7 in their 20 overs.
Kumar Sangakkara led from the front with a captain’s knock, scoring 65 runs off 47 balls. Cameron White also contributed with 31 runs. Vinay Kumar was the pick of the bowlers for KTK, taking 3 wickets for 25 runs in his 4 overs.
Chasing 130 for victory, KTK collapsed and were bowled out for just 74 runs in 16.3 overs. Ishant Sharma was the star for DC with the ball, picking up an impressive 5 wickets for just 12 runs in his 3 overs.
Thisara Perera was the only batsman to offer resistance for KTK, scoring 22 runs. For his exceptional bowling performance, Ishant Sharma was awarded the Player of the Match.
13. KKR vs. RCB, May 8, 2008
In a thrilling encounter at Eden Gardens, Kolkata Knight Riders managed to edge past Royal Challengers Bangalore by 5 runs in the 29th match of the Indian Premier League 2008 season.
KKR, batting first, posted a total of 129/7 in their 16 overs, thanks to contributions from David Hussey (26 off 12 balls) and captain Sourav Ganguly (20 off 22 balls). Dale Steyn was the pick of the bowlers for RCB, finishing with figures of 3/27 in his 4 overs.
Chasing a target of 130, RCB fell short by just 5 runs, finishing at 124/4 in their 16 overs. Mark Boucher top-scored for RCB with an unbeaten 50 off 40 balls, but it was not enough to secure victory. Sourav Ganguly, in addition to his batting performance, also contributed with the ball, taking 1 wicket for 7 runs in his 3 overs.
12. RCB vs. LSG, May 1, 2023
Royal Challengers Bangalore successfully defended 126/9 against Lucknow Super Giants on May 1, 2023. It is the lowest defended score in IPL 2023.
RCB batted first and managed to score 126/9 in their 20 overs. Faf du Plessis led the team with a solid innings of 44 runs off 40 balls, while Virat Kohli contributed 31 runs. For LSG, Krishnappa Gowtham was impressive, taking 1 wicket and affecting a run-out.
In response, LSG struggled to chase the target, falling short at 108 runs in 19.5 overs. Josh Hazlewood and Karn Sharma were the key bowlers for RCB, taking 2 wickets each. Faf du Plessis was awarded the Player of the Match for his crucial innings that set the platform for RCB’s victory.
11. Kings XI vs. SRH, Oct 24, 2020
On October 24, 2020, Kings XI Punjab (PBKS) clashed with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 43rd match of the Indian Premier League. Kings XI Punjab batted first and managed to score 126/7 in their 20 overs.
KL Rahul, the captain, scored 27 runs, Mandeep Singh made 17, and Chris Gayle contributed 20 runs. Nicholas Pooran remained unbeaten on 32, while Glenn Maxwell scored 12. In the bowling department, Sandeep Sharma and Jason Holder took 2 wickets each for SRH.
In response, Sunrisers Hyderabad could only muster 114 runs in 19.5 overs, falling short by 12 runs. David Warner was the top scorer for SRH with 35 runs, followed by Vijay Shankar, who scored 26.
Chris Jordan was the star performer for Kings XI Punjab, taking 3 wickets for 17 runs and also taking 2 catches. Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, and Ravi Bishnoi also chipped in with wickets for PBKS.
10. SRH vs. Warriors, Apr 5, 2013
On April 5, 2013, Sunrisers Hyderabad faced off against Pune Warriors in the 3rd match of the Indian Premier League. SRH batted first and posted a total of 126/6 in their 20 overs.
Akshath Reddy scored 27 runs, Parthiv Patel made 19, and Kumar Sangakkara contributed 15. Thisara Perera was the top scorer for SRH with 30 runs, while Hanuma Vihari scored 11.
Amit Mishra was not out on 7, and Dwaraka Ravi Teja was not out on 4. In reply, Pune Warriors could only manage 104 runs in 18.5 overs, losing by 22 runs.
Robin Uthappa top-scored for Pune Warriors with 24 runs, followed by Ross Taylor and Abhishek Nayar, who scored 19 runs each. Thisara Perera and Amit Mishra were the pick of the bowlers for SRH, with Perera taking 2 wickets and Mishra taking 3 wickets.
Dale Steyn also bowled brilliantly, taking 3 wickets for just 11 runs. Thisara Perera was awarded the Player of the Match for his all-round performance.
9. RCB vs. CSK, May 21, 2008
In the 46th match of the Indian Premier League on May 21, 2008, Royal Challengers Bangalore defended 126/8 against Chennai Super Kings. Royal Challengers Bangalore batted first and scored 126/8 in their 20 overs.
Rahul Dravid top-scored with 47 runs, while Albie Morkel was the pick of the bowlers for Chennai Super Kings, taking 4 wickets for 32 runs.
Chennai Super Kings, in response, could only manage 112/8 in their 20 overs, falling short by 14 runs. Stephen Fleming top-scored with 45 runs, while Anil Kumble was the standout performer for Royal Challengers Bangalore, taking 3 wickets for 14 runs and also taking 2 catches.
8. PBKS vs. SRH, Sep 25, 2021
In the 37th match of the IPL on September 25, 2021, Punjab Kings faced Sunrisers Hyderabad at Sharjah. Punjab Kings batted first and scored 125/7 in their 20 overs.
Aiden Markram top-scored with 27 runs, while Jason Holder starred for Sunrisers Hyderabad with the ball, taking 3 wickets for 19 runs.
Chasing 126 for victory, Sunrisers Hyderabad managed 120/7 in their 20 overs, falling short by 5 runs. Wriddhiman Saha top-scored for Sunrisers with 31 runs, while Ravi Bishnoi took 3 wickets for Punjab Kings.
Jason Holder was named the Player of the Match for his all-round performance, scoring an unbeaten 47 runs and taking 3 wickets.
7. MI vs. Warriors, May 3, 2012
Mumbai Indians successfully defended 120/9 against Pune Warriors on May 3, 2012. Mumbai Indians batted first and scored 120/9 in their 20 overs. Sachin Tendulkar top-scored with 34 runs, while James Franklin contributed 25 runs.
For Pune Warriors, Ashish Nehra and Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 2 wickets each. Chasing 121 for victory, Pune Warriors managed 119/6 in their 20 overs, falling short by just 1 run. Mithun Manhas was the top scorer for Pune with an unbeaten 42 runs.
Lasith Malinga was the pick of the bowlers for Mumbai, taking 2 wickets for 25 runs in his 4 overs. Mumbai Indians won the match by 1 run, with Lasith Malinga being named the Player of the Match for his all-round performance, scoring 14 runs and taking 2 crucial wickets.
6. SRH vs. Warriors, Apr 17, 2013
In the 22nd match of the Indian Premier League on April 17, 2013, Sunrisers Hyderabad faced Pune Warriors at Pune. Sunrisers Hyderabad batted first and scored 119/8 in their 20 overs.
Biplab Samantray was the top scorer for SRH with 37 runs, while Amit Mishra contributed with a valuable 30 runs off 24 balls. For Pune Warriors, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 wickets for 18 runs in his 4 overs.
Chasing 120 for victory, Pune Warriors could only manage 108 runs in their 19 overs, falling short by 11 runs. Robin Uthappa top-scored for Pune with 22 runs.
Amit Mishra was the star for SRH with the ball, taking 4 wickets for 19 runs in his 4 overs, earning him the Player of the Match award.
5. Kings XI vs. MI, Apr 29, 2009
Kings XI Punjab batted first against Mumbai Indians on April 29, 2009, and posted a total of 119/8 in their 20 overs. Kumar Sangakkara played a captain’s knock, scoring an unbeaten 45 off 44 balls. For Mumbai Indians, Jean-Paul Duminy was the standout bowler, picking up 2 wickets for 23 runs in his 3 overs.
Chasing 120 for victory, Mumbai Indians could only manage 116/7 in their 20 overs, falling short by 3 runs. Jean-Paul Duminy was the top scorer for MI with 59 runs off 63 balls. Irfan Pathan was the pick of the bowlers for Kings XI Punjab, taking 2 wickets for 20 runs in his 4 overs.
4. SRH vs. MI, Apr 24, 2018
In the 23rd match of the Indian Premier League on April 24, 2018, Sunrisers Hyderabad defended 118 against Mumbai Indians. Sunrisers Hyderabad batted first and posted a total of 118 runs.
Kane Williamson was the top scorer for SRH with 29 runs, while Yusuf Pathan contributed 29 runs as well. For MI, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya picked up two wickets each.
Chasing 119 for victory, Mumbai Indians struggled against the SRH bowlers and were bowled out for just 87 runs in 18.5 overs. Suryakumar Yadav was the top scorer for MI with 34 runs.
Rashid Khan was the star performer with the ball for SRH, taking 2 wickets for just 11 runs in his 4 overs. Siddarth Kaul also bowled well, picking up 3 wickets for 23 runs.
Sunrisers Hyderabad won the match by 31 runs, with Rashid Khan being named the Player of the Match for his excellent bowling performance.
3. CSK vs. Kings XI, May 20, 2009
Chennai Super Kings defended 116/9 against Kings XI Punjab on May 13, 2015. Batting first, KXIP scored 106/6 in their 10 overs, with Wriddhiman Saha top-scoring with 31 off 12 balls. Axar Patel’s all-round performance, scoring an unbeaten 20 and taking 2 wickets for 11 runs, was instrumental in KXIP’s total.
In response, RCB struggled in their chase, managing only 84/6 in their 10 overs. Virat Kohli was the top scorer for RCB with 19 off 9 balls. Harshal Patel was the standout performer for RCB.
2. Kings XI vs. RCB, May 13, 2015
On May 13, 2015, Kings XI Punjab faced off against Royal Challengers Bangalore at Mohali. Kings XI Punjab batted first and posted a total of 106/6 in their 10 overs.
Wriddhiman Saha was the top scorer for Kings XI Punjab with a quickfire 31 off 12 balls, while Axar Patel remained unbeaten on 20 off 15 balls. Harshal Patel was the pick of the bowlers for Royal Challengers Bangalore, picking up 2 wickets for 11 runs in his 2 overs.
In response, Royal Challengers Bangalore could only manage 84/6 in their 10 overs, falling short by 22 runs. Virat Kohli, the captain, top-scored for RCB with 19 runs off 9 balls. Axar Patel was outstanding with the ball for Kings XI Punjab, picking up 2 crucial wickets for just 11 runs in his 2 overs.
1. RCB vs. CSK, May 18, 2013
In the 70th match of the Indian Premier League, Royal Challengers Bangalore defended 106/2 against Chennai Super Kings on May 18, 2013. It is the lowest defended score in the IPL.
RCB batted first and posted a total of 106/2 in their 8 overs. Virat Kohli played a captain’s knock, scoring an unbeaten 56 off just 29 balls. Chris Gayle provided a quick start with 28 off 13 balls.
In response, CSK faltered in their chase, managing only 82/6 in their 8 overs. Murali Vijay was the top scorer with 32 off 19 balls.
RCB’s bowlers, led by Zaheer Khan, put up a disciplined performance, with Zaheer taking 4 wickets for 17 runs in his 2 overs. Ravi Rampaul also contributed with a wicket, conceding 20 runs in his 2 overs.
Conclusion:
These low scoring matches exemplify the significance of bowling and fielding in T20 cricket, where even low scores can be defended with skillful execution and teamwork.
