Decoding the lowest-defended totals in IPL history
T20 cricket is known to be dominated by the batters as several factors like flat pitches and short boundaries go in their favor. Owing to the same, no totals are safe in the format as even 200-plus targets are being chased often. However, besides high-scoring affairs, the Indian Premier League has also seen numerous low-scoring thrillers. Let's decode the lowest-defended totals in IPL history.
When MI won the thriller versus PWI, 2011
Mumbai Indians looked in a spot of bother after managing just 120/9 against the now-defunct Pune Warriors in 2012. However, their bowlers rose to the challenge. The likes of Lasith Malinga (2/25), Munaf Patel (1/24), Harbhajan Singh (2/18), and Pragyan Ojha (1/24) were economical on the day as PWI lost the game by a solitary run (119/6).
Amit Mishra powers SRH to victory, 2013
PWI also failed to chase down a low total in IPL 2013. On this occasion, the opposition was Sunrisers Hyderabad, who managed 119/8 in Pune. After a quick-fire 38-run opening stand, PWI suffered a shocking collapse. While most of the SRH bowlers operated well, Amit Mishra stood out with figures worth 4/19 in four overs. PWI were hence folded for 108 in 19 overs.
KXIP stun MI, 2009
Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) were restricted to 119/8 while batting first against MI in Durban in 2009. MI made a poor start to the chase, having been reduced to 3/12. The disciplined bowling from Punjab bowlers meant MI lost wickets at regular intervals. Though Jean-Paul Duminy's 59 took Mumbai close, they finished their 20 overs at 116/7.
SRH's stunning win over MI, 2018
The 2018 season also saw SRH defend a low total. After being folded for 118 in Mumbai, the Orange Army put up a clinical bowling performance as besides Suryakumar Yadav (34) and Krunal Pandya (24) no other batter could enter double digits. Rashid Khan was lethal as he claimed 2/11 in his four overs. MI were folded for just 87 in 18.5 overs.
CSK demolish KXIP, 2009
Chennai Super Kings top this list, having defended 116/9 against KXIP in Durban in 2009. The Mohali-based team never really looked in the hunt as six of their top-seven batters were dismissed for single-digit scores. Spin trio of Muthiah Muralidaran, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Suresh Raina claimed two wickets apiece as KXIP were restricted to 92/8.
