IPL 2023: 5 Lowest Totals Defended In The History of The Tournament

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is known for its high-scoring matches and explosive batting performances. However, it has also witnessed remarkable instances where teams have successfully defended low totals. The lowest total defended in IPL history demonstrates the immense importance of a strong bowling attack and exceptional fielding. The lowest score defended in IPL is a testament to a team’s ability to stay composed and focused under pressure.

Here are the five lowest totals that have been defended in the tournament. Many times, teams have surprised everyone by defending low scores they could have easily chased. In some of the low-scoring games, bowlers have been able to come out on top in both innings. 

It would be even better if low totals in the first innings could be defended in the second innings. Every time there is a dot ball in the air, there is an increase in excitement and suspense, as well as pressure on both the players and fans. In some instances, a total of less than 120 has also been marked as safe.

 Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), who find themselves twice on the happy side of the Top 5 list of lowest defended scores in IPL, is among the teams with the lowest defense rate. As well as the Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians, and Kings XI Punjab, there are three other teams that managed to win despite the first innings score of less than a run per ball in the first innings.

1.) 116 Runs Defended By Chennai Super Kings Vs Punjab Kings, 2009

CSK holds the record for defending the lowest total in the history of the Indian Premier League. The team posted 116/9 in 20 overs following the innings, with Parthiv Patel making 32 runs off 23 deliveries. Putting the Punjab side under pressure from the start, Punjab was put under pressure by this modest total. 

However, they only managed to score 92/8 in 20 overs and lost the match by 24 runs. It was a comfortable win for CSK after they picked up two wickets each from four bowlers in the team.

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2.) 118 Runs Defended by Mumbai Indians vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, 2018

In a game against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians were only able to score 87 runs in response to a target of 119 runs, resulting in one of the most surprising outcomes in IPL history. Yusuf Pathan of the Sunrisers Hyderabad scored the most runs in the first innings with 29.

Siddarth Kaul, Rashid Khan, and Basil Thampy were part of the bowling attack of the team that demonstrated brilliant skills with the ball to help the team win the game. MI had scored 61/3 at one point in their innings, but soon crumbled in the latter stages.

3.) 119 Runs defended By Punjab Kings  Vs Mumbai Indians, 2009

Punjab Kings won an exciting match against Mumbai Indians by defending a modest total with very little time left in the 2009 edition of the IPL. They scored 119/8 in 20 overs, and Kumar Sangakkara scored 45 runs.

With this target in hand, the Mumbai Indians were only able to score 116/7 and consequently lost the match by 3 runs. In the match against Mumbai, JP Duminy scored 59 runs for his team but he needed 63 deliveries to achieve it, and his slow knock ultimately cost Mumbai the match.

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4.) 119 Runs defended by Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Pune Warriors , 2013

There was no surprise at all when Sunrisers Hyderabad twice made the list of the top five after their habit of defending low totals. In the 2013 edition of the tournament, Sunrisers Hyderabad defended 119, this time against the Pune Warriors.

David Warner and his side failed to put up any kind of performance with the bat as they managed only 119 runs in the 20 overs they were given. Biplab Samantray and Amit Mishra scored 37 and 30 runs respectively with the bat, the only two batsmen who contributed decently with the bat.

 As a result, the Sunrisers were able to win, courtesy the outstanding bowling attack by their side. The leg-spinner Amit Mishra had an outstanding day with the ball as he picked up four wickets giving away only 19 runs. Besides Thisara Perera’s three wickets, the regional all-rounder also played a crucial role in Sunrisers’ 11-run victory.

5.) 120  Runs defended By Mumbai Indians Vs Pune Warriors India, 2012

IPL 2012 saw one of the best low-scoring thrillers in the history of the IPL between the Mumbai Indians and the Pune Warriors India. Mumbai Indian captain Harbhajan Singh won the toss and chose to bat after winning the toss. Mumbai managed only 120 runs for the loss of 9 wickets after Pune restricted the Mumbai batsmen’s run flow.

Mumbai bowlers scored some excellent bowling to put Pune out of the game. Pune could not get going with their batting. The team was carried by Mithun Manhas until the last over and Bhuvneshwar needed four runs from the last ball, but it went for two runs so Mumbai Indians won by one run.

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Lowest Defended Score in IPL

Sr. No.	Team	Total defended	Opposition	Date
1	Chennai Super Kings	116	Kings XI Punjab	20 May 2009
2	Sunrisers Hyderabad	118	Mumbai Indians	24 Apr 2018
3	Kings XI Punjab	119	Mumbai Indians	29 Apr 2009
4	Sunrisers Hyderabad	119	Pune Warriors India	17 Apr 2013
5	Mumbai Indians	120	Pune Warriors India	03 May 2012

These are some of the lowest totals that have been successfully defended in the history of the IPL. Such matches showcase the competitive nature of the tournament and the importance of every run in T20 cricket.