List of Super Overs in IPL History

The Super Over is cricket’s most nerve-shredding tiebreaker, and the IPL has produced sixteen of them across its nineteen seasons. From the very first one-over shootout in Cape Town in 2009 to the latest thriller in Lucknow in 2026, Super Overs have delivered some of the most unforgettable finishes in the tournament’s history, compressing all the drama of a close match into six balls per side.

The concept is simple. If both teams finish level on runs after their twenty overs, each side faces one additional over to decide the winner. The team that scored more in its innings bats second in the Super Over, knowing exactly what it needs. Bowlers, batters, and captains are all tested in the most extreme pressure, and the results have produced heroes, heartbreak, and no shortage of controversy over the years.

Complete List of IPL Super Overs

The Most Famous Super Overs

The 2020 season produced an unprecedented cluster of four Super Overs, including two on the same day. The most extraordinary was the Mumbai Indians versus Punjab Kings clash in Dubai, which went to a second Super Over after the first also ended level. Punjab eventually prevailed, with Mohammed Shami’s brilliant bowling and the cool finishing of the batters sealing one of the great IPL finishes.

The very first Super Over in 2009 set the tone. Kolkata and Rajasthan finished level in Cape Town, and Rajasthan won the shootout, with Yusuf Pathan’s all-round heroics earning him the player of the match award. In 2013, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi produced a thriller in Bengaluru that went RCB’s way, with Virat Kohli starring.

Delhi Capitals have become the league’s Super Over specialists, winning four shootouts, the most by any franchise. Their 2025 victory over Rajasthan Royals in Delhi, sealed by Mitchell Starc’s superb bowling, ended a four-year wait for a Super Over in the league and reminded everyone why the format remains so beloved.

How the Super Over Works in the IPL

The rules have been refined over the years. Each team nominates three batters and one bowler for the Super Over. If two wickets fall, the innings ends. The side that batted second in the main match bats first in the Super Over, reversing the order to keep things fair. A bowler who bowled the final over of the match cannot bowl the Super Over, a rule designed to spread the load.

If the Super Over itself ends level, the rules have changed over time. Earlier versions used boundary countback, a method that caused huge controversy when it decided the 2019 ODI World Cup final. The IPL now uses repeated Super Overs until a winner emerges, as seen in the famous double Super Over of 2020. In playoff matches, if conditions prevent further play, the team that finished higher in the league table advances.

Super Over Records and Trends

Delhi Capitals lead the Super Over charts with four wins, followed by Punjab Kings, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rajasthan Royals, and Kolkata Knight Riders with two each. Sunrisers Hyderabad have been involved in several shootouts but have won only one, giving them one of the poorer records in tiebreakers.

Interestingly, Super Overs come in clusters. There were none between 2015 and 2017, then two in 2019, four in the UAE-based 2020 season, and then a drought from 2022 to 2024 before Delhi and Rajasthan broke the spell in 2025. The 2026 edition added one more when Kolkata edged Lucknow in Lucknow. Whether this signals a new era of close finishes or just random variation, fans will be hoping for more.

The psychology of the Super Over is fascinating. Teams with specialist death bowlers hold an edge, which is why figures like Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell Starc, and Kagiso Rabada are so valuable in these situations. Batters who can clear the ropes from ball one are worth their weight in gold, and captains who stay calm, think MS Dhoni style, tend to make better decisions in the chaos.

How many Super Overs have there been in IPL history?

There have been sixteen Super Overs in IPL history, from the first in 2009 between Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals to the most recent in 2026 between Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders.

Which team has won the most Super Overs in the IPL?

Delhi Capitals have won the most Super Overs in IPL history with four victories. Punjab Kings, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rajasthan Royals, and Kolkata Knight Riders have each won two.

What happens if a Super Over ends in a tie?

If a Super Over ends level, another Super Over is played, and this continues until a winner is decided. This happened in the famous Mumbai Indians versus Punjab Kings match in 2020, which required two Super Overs to produce a result.

Who won the first Super Over in IPL history?

Rajasthan Royals won the first Super Over in IPL history, defeating Kolkata Knight Riders in Cape Town during the 2009 season. Yusuf Pathan was named player of the match for his all-round performance.

Can the same bowler bowl the Super Over who bowled the last over?

No. The bowler who delivered the final over of the main match is not permitted to bowl the Super Over. Teams must nominate a different bowler, along with three batters, for the one-over shootout.