Lowest Score Defended in IPL - Browsing the History of IPL
by Krishika M | Updated May 04, 2023
Lowest Score Defended in IPL
Cricket is a game where the majority of players are considered to be hitters, and it is their job to score runs for their team. However, even the best hitters can falter at times and end up with a poor score. This is when the bowlers come into play. . Through their accurate bowling and clever tactics, they have snatched one-sided matches from the grasp of the opposition.
Bowlers are responsible for delivering the ball to the batsmen and trying to get them out. But they also have the ability to contribute to their team's score through their batting skills. However, their primary role is to utilize their talents and tactics to prevent the opposing team from scoring too many runs.
The bowlers also play a significant role, and their contribution cannot be underestimated. In this article, we have provided the top 5 lowest scores defended in IPL. Scroll down and enjoy reading!
Top 5 Lowest Scores Defended in IPL
We have provided the list of the top 5 lowest scores defended in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL):
1
Chennai Super Kings
116
Punjab Kings
2009
2
Sunrisers Hyderabad
118
Mumbai Indians
2018
3
Punjab Kings
119
Mumbai Indians
2009
4
Sunrisers Hyderabad
119
Pune Warriors India
2013
5
Mumbai Indians
120
Pune Warriors India
2012
S.No.
Teams
Total Score
Opponent
Year
1. Chennai Super Kings Vs Punjab Kings
The Chennai Super Kings team has the distinction of having defended the lowest score in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). In the 54th match of the 2009 IPL season, Chennai faced off against Punjab Kings (previously known as Kings XI Punjab) and was put to bat first.
Unfortunately, they could only manage to score 116 runs for the loss of 9 wickets, which seemed like an easy target for Punjab to chase down. However, Chennai's bowlers stepped up and put on an outstanding performance, restricting Punjab to a mere 92 runs. As a result, Chennai defended the lowest total ever in the IPL and emerged victorious by 24 runs.
Defending such a low score in a T20 match is a commendable feat, and Chennai's bowlers played a vital role in achieving this milestone. They bowled with accuracy and discipline, not allowing Punjab's batsmen to settle down and score freely. They picked up wickets at regular intervals, which kept the pressure on Punjab and ultimately led to their downfall. This victory not only boosted Chennai's morale but also made them the team to watch out for in the tournament.
The Chennai Super Kings franchise has been one of the most successful teams in the IPL, having won the championship three times. They have a strong fan base and are known for their consistent performances throughout the seasons. Their success is attributed to the team's well-balanced composition and their ability to play as a unit.
Chennai Super Kings' achievement of defending the lowest score in the IPL is a remarkable feat that highlights the importance of team spirit and determination. Their bowlers' excellent performance helped them clinch an unlikely victory and etch their name in the IPL record books.
2. Sunrisers Hyderabad Vs Mumbai Indians
Sunrisers Hyderabad holds the second position for defending the lowest total in the history of the IPL. In the 23rd match of IPL 2018, they played against Mumbai Indians where they scored a low target of 119 runs. Although the target was not very high, the Hyderabad bowlers displayed outstanding performance and restricted Mumbai to just 87 runs.
This resulted in Hyderabad winning the match by 31 runs, and the team was able to defend the lowest total in the IPL. The match was a clear example of how a low score could also be defended through excellent bowling and fielding.
3. Punjab Kings Vs Mumbai Indians
The Punjab Kings have defended the third-lowest total in IPL history, which was 119 runs. It happened during the 20th match of the IPL 2009 season when Punjab faced the Deccan Chargers.
After being put into bat first, the Punjab Kings struggled to score runs against the Deccan Chargers bowlers and managed to put up only 119 runs on the board. However, the Kings' bowlers were determined to defend the low total and they bowled exceptionally well, making it difficult for the Deccan Chargers' batsmen to score runs. The Deccan Chargers kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were eventually bowled out for just 116 runs, three runs short of the target set by Punjab.
This was a significant achievement for the Punjab Kings, as they were able to defend such a low total in a highly competitive league like the IPL. The team's bowlers, led by Irfan Pathan, were the heroes of the match as they took crucial wickets at crucial moments and did not allow the Deccan Chargers to get any momentum in their innings.
4. Sunrisers Hyderabad Vs Pune Warriors India
Sunrisers Hyderabad is also known for their excellent performance in defending low scores in the IPL. In the 2013 season, Sunrisers Hyderabad played against Pune Warriors India in the 22nd match of the tournament. Sunrisers Hyderabad batted first and set a low target of 119 runs for Pune Warriors India to chase. It looked like an easy target for Pune Warriors India, but Sunrisers Hyderabad's bowlers had other plans. They bowled superbly and restricted Pune Warriors India to 108 runs, thus saving the match by 11 runs.
Amit Mishra, one of Sunrisers Hyderabad's star bowlers, played a crucial role in this match. He took four important wickets and was named the Man of the Match. Mishra's brilliant performance helped Sunrisers Hyderabad secure the victory and cemented their position as a formidable team in the tournament.
This match is significant because it demonstrates that even a low score can be defended if a team has a strong bowling attack and plays strategically. Sunrisers Hyderabad's victory in this match is a testament to the importance of teamwork and planning in cricket, where every player has a role to play and can contribute to the team's success.
5. Mumbai Indians Vs Pune Warriors India
Mumbai Indians, one of the most successful teams in the history of IPL, is placed 5th in the list of teams defending the lowest score in the league. In the 2012 season, Mumbai Indians faced Pune Warriors India in the 45th match of the tournament. Mumbai Indians struggled to put up a big score on the scoreboard and ended up with just 120 runs in their allotted 20 overs. Pune Warriors India came out to chase the target of 121 runs, but their batsmen failed to maintain the required run rate throughout the innings, losing the match by just 1 run.
It was an intense match that went down to the wire, and Mumbai Indians defended the lowest total in IPL history up to that point. The bowlers of Mumbai Indians, including Lasith Malinga, did an outstanding job by keeping the opposition batsmen in check and taking crucial wickets. Malinga, one of the most successful bowlers in the history of IPL, was named Man of the Match for his excellent bowling performance.
The match was a testament to the importance of defending a low score in the game of cricket. It showed that a strong bowling performance can be just as crucial as a high score in winning a match. Mumbai Indians' victory in this match demonstrated their ability to fight till the end and come out victorious even when the odds are against them.
What is the Lowest Score Defended in IPL?
During the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2009 season, Chennai Super Kings set the record for the lowest total ever defended in the tournament's history. The team achieved this feat by defending a target of just 116 runs at the Kingsmead Stadium in Durban. Parthiv Patel played a crucial role in securing the victory for CSK, contributing 32 runs to the team's total.
It is worth noting that defending a low total in a T20 match can be a challenging task, as the format favors aggressive batting and high-scoring matches. However, CSK's bowlers rose to the occasion and were able to restrict the opposition's scoring, ultimately winning the match by a margin of 7 runs.
This match has gone down in IPL history as a testament to the importance of strong bowling performances and the unpredictability of T20 cricket. It has also become a benchmark for other teams to strive towards, as they look to defend low totals in future IPL seasons.
List of Lowest Scores Defended in IPL
Here is the list of the lowest scores defended in the history of IPL:
Win Margin
Chennai Super Kings
116
Punjab Kings
2009
Sunrisers Hyderabad
118
Mumbai Indians
2018
Punjab Kings
119
Mumbai Indians
2009
Sunrisers Hyderabad
119
Pune Warriors India
2013
Mumbai Indians
120
Pune Warriors India
2012
Royal Challengers Bangalore
126
Chennai Super Kings
2008
Sunrisers Hyderabad
126
Pune Warriors India
2013
RCB
126
Lucknow Super Giants
2023
Pune Warriors India
129
Mumbai Indians
2012
Deccan Chargers
129
Kochi Tuskers Kerala
2011
Teams
Total Score
Opponent
Year
24
21
3
11
1
14
22
18
28
50
Delhi Capitals
130
Gujarat Titans
2023
5
Punjab Kings
132
Kolkata Knight Riders
2014
23
Lowest Score Defended in IPL - FAQs
The role of bowlers is crucial in defending low scores in the IPL. They need to bowl tight lines and lengths, take wickets at regular intervals, and maintain pressure on the opposition batsmen to restrict the scoring rate. A disciplined bowling performance can often turn the tide in favor of the defending team, even if they have posted a low total.
Jaydev Unadkat was the star performer in the match where Rising Pune Supergiant defended 79 runs. He claimed figures of 5 for 30 in his four overs and was instrumental in helping his team win the match.
The average score defended in the IPL is around 150-160 runs, but it varies depending on the pitch conditions and other factors such as the quality of the opposition and team strategy.
Only once has a team successfully defended a total below 100 in the IPL. Kolkata Knight Riders defended their total of 87 runs against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2017 season.
The lowest score successfully defended in IPL history is 79 runs, which was achieved by Rising Pune Supergiant against Mumbai Indians in the 2017 season.