What is the lowest target defended in IPL final?
A few IPL finals were low-scoring thrillers.
Like every other T20 tournament, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is known for big totals. The final of the tournament is the most crucial game of the season, where both finalists leave no stone unturned to bag a victory. Over the years, there have been many high-scoring IPL finals.
However, there have also been a few IPL finals that were low-scoring and kept everyone at the edge of their seat till the last ball. On a few instances, teams batting first won the clash despite posting a low target in the first innings. With their sensational bowling effort, they bagged the victory by defending a low target.
Mumbai Indians hold the record for the lowest target defended in IPL final
The record for the lowest-ever target defended in an IPL final is held by the Mumbai Indians. In the IPL 2017 final, they defended a 130-run target against now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant, winning the clash by just one run.
The encounter took place at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. Opting to bat, MI lost their top-order batters cheaply. Rohit Sharma (24) and Krunal Pandya (47) played crucial hands to take the scoreboard to 129/8, while the rest of the batsmen failed to come good.
In the chase, RPS opener Ajinkya Rahane (44) gave a brilliant start to the in the chase, while captain Steve Smith (51) scored a half-century. Despite having four wickets in hand, Pune goofed up in the end.
The match went to the final over, where RPS needed 11 runs for victory. MI pacer Mitchell Johnson brought the equation to four runs off one ball. RPS managed to get two runs but MI claimed a run-out on the third run, winning the clash by just one run.
Meanwhile, the finals of the IPL 2009, 2013, and 2019 were a few other games where teams defended a low total to win the trophy.
Lowest totals defended in IPL finals (Top 5)
- 129 by MI vs RPS (2017)
- 143 by DC vs RCB (2009)
- 148 by MI vs CSK (2013)
- 149 by MI vs CSK (2019)
- 168 by CSK vs MI (2010)
What is the record for the lowest target defended in an IPL final?
Mumbai Indians defended a 129-run total against Rising Pune Supergiant in IPL 2017 final. This is the record for the lowest total defended in an IPL final.
Which team hold the record for lowest target defended in an IPL final?
Mumbai Indians hold the record for defending the lowest target in an IPL final. (129/8 vs RPS in IPL 2017).
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Vikas Singh Derek is a core cricket-lover since childhood and has always followed the sport both in his personal and professional life. He started his school life by watching cricket at home with family. Later, he played cricket on the field at local clubs during college. After his Master's in Journalism from Mumbai, he followed his passion by covering cricket news across various digital media. Since 2015, he has been an aspiring sports journalist and cricket content writer with over 50K+ articles.