Who Defended the Lowest Score in IPL History? 2008-2024

In the Indian Premier League (IPL), every game is about thrill, but mostly in the context of big hits. So, the instances where a small total is successfully defended are particularly outstanding and worth remembering. 

Since its launch in 2008, the IPL has seen numerous cases of teams converting lose-lose situations into wins, illustrating the unpredictability of T20 cricket and the strategic acumen teams bring under duress. 

This article will look back at matches from 2008 to 2024, highlighting how teams defended their modest totals through brilliant bowling and tactical field placements, thus delivering victories that bucked the league’s usual high-scoring trends. 

What are the Lowest Total Defended in the IPL History?

Lowest Scores Defended in IPL History: Year Wise List

Chennai Super Kings -116 (vs Punjab in IPL 2009)

Chennai Super Kings set a record for defending the lowest score in IPL history. They won the match after scoring just 116 runs in 20 overs. Parthiv Patel made the most runs for Chennai, scoring 32 off 23 balls. The game occurred during the second edition of the IPL in Durban, South Africa. Muttiah Muralitharan’s bowling performance of 2 wickets for 8 runs helped restrict Punjab to 92 runs, leading Chennai to victory by 24 runs. This record remains unbeaten even after 15 years.

Sunrisers Hyderabad – 118 (vs Mumbai in IPL 2018) 

Another example of the might of a potent bowling unit is when Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) bowled out Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium in a low-scoring encounter.

Sunrisers Hyderabad has the record for defending the second-lowest total in IPL history. This happened at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium in a match full of excitement. Mumbai Indians stopped the visiting team at just 118 runs. But Hyderabad’s bowlers were amazing! They bowled brilliantly and got Mumbai all out for just 87 runs. Siddarth Kaul took 3 wickets for 23 runs, Basil Thampi took 2 for 4 runs, and Rashid Khan took 2 for 11 runs

Punjab Kings – 119 (vs Mumbai in IPL 2009)

In a cricket match in the IPL, Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) protected a low score to win against Mumbai. They made only 119 runs on April 29, 2009, at Kingsmead, Durban. Kumar Sangakkara led the scoring with 45 runs. Bowlers Irfan Pathan and Yusuf Abdulla each took 2 wickets, while Mumbai’s JP Duminy’s 59 runs couldn’t save them. In the end, Mumbai lost by just three runs.

Sunrisers Hyderabad – 119 (vs Pune, IPL 2013)

Hyderabad is on the list again for defending one of the lowest scores in IPL history. The match was played at the MCA Stadium in Pune. Hyderabad scored 119 runs total against Pune Warriors India and successfully defended it, winning by 11 runs. Amit Mishra was the match’s star, scoring 30 runs with the bat and taking 4 wickets with the ball. He even achieved his third IPL hat-trick during this game.

Mumbai Indians – 120 (vs Pune, IPL 2012)

This match is one of the 12 games in IPL history with the smallest win margin, just 1 run! It happened in Pune, where Mumbai batted first but struggled to reach 120 runs in 20 overs. Then, Mumbai’s bowlers, led by Harbhajan and Malinga, took two wickets each, keeping Pune Warriors India to just 119 runs.

Although the numbers show how great the bowling was, it’s important to think about the situation of each game. Things like the condition of the pitch, the weather, and how good the other team’s batters are can all make it harder to defend a low score.

Conclusion

Such instances demonstrate the uncertainty and thrill of the IPL and emphasise the need for planning, accuracy, and teamwork. Defensively defending low totals in cricket, particularly in a format such as T20, demands as much mental strength as skills and a thorough knowledge of the game’s dynamics. 

By their outstanding result, the above-mentioned teams show that sometimes a strong defence is as effective as a scoring summary.