Lowest Totals Defended in IPL : The Indian Premier League (IPL) is globally known for its high-octane cricket, towering sixes, and massive run chases. But amidst the power-hitting frenzy, there have been nail-biting thrillers where teams managed to defend impossibly low totals, turning the game on its head with fiery bowling and tactical brilliance.
Let’s dive into the Top 10 lowest totals successfully defended in IPL history, where bowlers stole the limelight and proved that “low scores can still win high-stake battles.”
Table of Contents
Top 10 Lowest Totals Defended in IPL History (2008–2025)
1. 111 – Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders (2025)
📍 Venue: Mullanpur | 📅 Date: April 15, 2025
PBKS posted just 111 on the board — a score that rarely wins you a T20 match. But Yuzvendra Chahal (4 wickets) and Marco Jansen (3 wickets) had other plans. They bundled KKR out for just 95, clinching a sensational 16-run victory and creating a historic moment — the lowest total ever defended in IPL history.
2. 116 – Chennai Super Kings vs Kings XI Punjab (2009)
📍 Venue: Durban | 📅 Date: May 20, 2009
CSK were restricted to 116/9 in 20 overs, with Parthiv Patel top scoring with 32. But under MS Dhoni’s sharp captaincy, the bowlers executed a perfect plan. Punjab could only reach 92/8, giving CSK a solid 24-run win. This stood as the lowest defended total for many years.
3. 118 – Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Mumbai Indians (2018)
📍 Venue: Wankhede | 📅 Date: April 24, 2018
SRH were bowled out for just 118 — but their bowlers made it look like 180! Siddarth Kaul, Rashid Khan, and Basil Thampi ran through the MI lineup, bowling them out for just 87 and securing a dominant 31-run win.
4. 119 – Kings XI Punjab vs Mumbai Indians (2009)
📍 Venue: Durban | 📅 Date: April 20, 2009
KXIP (now PBKS) posted a humble 119/8. Mumbai Indians came close but couldn’t finish the job. Despite Duminy’s 59, MI fell short by 3 runs, handing Punjab a dramatic win.
5. 119 – Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Pune Warriors (2013)
📍 Venue: Pune | 📅 Date: April 17, 2013
SRH’s 119/8 looked below par. But with Amit Mishra’s magical 4/19, Pune Warriors were bowled out for 108. The 11-run victory was a display of grit and clever bowling.
6. 120 – Mumbai Indians vs Pune Warriors (2012)
📍 Venue: Pune | 📅 Date: May 3, 2012
In a rare low-scoring win, MI defended 120/9 and won by a nail-biting 1 run! The match came down to the final ball, proving again that no total is truly “too low.”
7. 125 – Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (2021)
📍 Venue: Sharjah | 📅 Date: Sept 25, 2021
PBKS posted 125/7 in the slow Sharjah pitch. It was Rahul and Markram with the bat, and Ravi Bishnoi and Arshdeep Singh with the ball. SRH fell short by 5 runs in a match where every dot ball felt like gold.
8. 126 – RCB vs CSK (2008)
📍 Venue: Chennai | 📅 Date: May 21, 2008
In one of IPL’s earliest thrillers, RCB defended 126/8. With Praveen Kumar and Anil Kumble leading the bowling attack, CSK’s chase was throttled to 112, giving RCB a 14-run win.
9. 126 – SRH vs Pune Warriors (2013)
📍 Venue: Hyderabad | 📅 Date: April 5, 2013
SRH again proved their bowling dominance, defending 126/6 with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ishant Sharma keeping things tight. They won the match by 22 runs.
10. 126 – Kings XI Punjab vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (2020)
📍 Venue: Dubai | 📅 Date: October 24, 2020
KXIP put up 126/7, which looked like an easy target for SRH. But Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh turned the game around, defending the total with a thrilling 12-run victory.
In a format where 200+ scores are becoming routine, these matches remind us of cricket’s unpredictable nature. A fiery spell, a sharp fielding effort, or a captain’s clever field placement — defending a low total is the ultimate test of team spirit and mental strength.
The IPL isn’t just about big hits and brutal chases. These low-scoring thrillers prove that defense can be the best offense. These unforgettable matches showcase that even the lowest of scores, when defended with passion and precision, can become iconic moments in cricket history.
FAQs
What is the lowest total ever defended in IPL history?
Punjab Kings defended 111 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025 — the lowest ever.
Has any team defended a score under 120 in IPL?
Yes, several teams have successfully defended scores under 120, including CSK, SRH, and PBKS.
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