Chasing glory: Top 5 highest successful run chases in IPL history
The Indian Premier League since its inception in 2008, has redefined what can be achieved on a cricket field. Astounding batting performances, sensational bowling spells, gravity-defying fielding efforts, we have seen it all. One of the most enthralling aspects has been the run chases that we have witnessed. Batting second always has that added pressure of the required run rate, which makes it a daunting task. But that hasn’t been a deterrent for the teams in the IPL as they have pulled off some stunning chases. Here is a list of the top 5 highest successful chases in IPL ever.
5) 206 by KXIP against CSK in Abu Dhabi, 2014
In just the 3rd game of the season, Chennai Super Kings, batting first, scored a mammoth 205, thanks to brilliant 50s from Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum, with the finishing touch, like always, provided by MS Dhoni. KXIP had a number of aggressive batsmen in their team but nobody expected them to make a mockery of the chase the way they did. They were off to a decent start by Virender Sehwag. Glenn Maxwell and David Miller put on an absolute show of power hitting. They comfortably reached the target with 7 balls to spare with Maxwell making 95 of just 43 and Miller an unbeaten 54. It was one of the best 200+ chases ever seen.
4) 206 by CSK against RCB in Chennai, 2012
CSK chased down Royal Challengers Bangalore’s score of 206 in 2012 in one of the most dramatic turnarounds ever seen in the IPL. Batting first, RCB did a praiseworthy job of putting up 205 on the board against a brilliant bowling line up with Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli scoring belligerent half-centuries. CSK didn’t get off to the best of starts, but were always in the game, thanks to Faf du Plessis’ 71 off 46. After his dismissal, it was upon MS Dhoni’s shoulders to take CSK home. But after he was removed on the last ball of the 18th over, with 43 needed to win off the last 2 overs, it seemed the match was well and truly in RCB’s bag. But RCB captain, Daniel Vettori, absurdly gave the ball to Virat Kohli for the penultimate over. Albie Morkel and Dwayne Bravo made RCB pay, as they smashed Kohli for 28 runs. RCB were left shell shocked after this beating. Vinay Kumar bowling a no-ball in the last over with 15 runs to be saved didn’t help RCB’s cause either and CSK got home safely with a boundary off the last ball.
3) 209 by DD against GL in 2017, Delhi
Delhi had a disappointing season in 2017 but this was a match where their youngsters really showed what their team was capable of. Delhi conceded 208 against a strong Gujarat Lions batting line up, which saw Suresh Raina top-scoring with 77 and a sublime half-century by Dinesh Kartik. However, the young batting line up of Delhi came out all guns blazing in pursuit of the massive score. After Karun Nair’s early dismissal, two young wicket-keeper batsmen put up a batting masterclass. Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant had a 143-run partnership for the 2nd wicket which came off just 63 balls. They tore apart international bowlers over after over. While Samson was dismissed for 61, Rishabh Pant was dismissed 3 shy of his century, for 97. But they had done enough to take Delhi within touching distance of the target as they won the game with more than 2 overs to spare.
2) 215 by RR against DC(Deccan Chargers) in 2008, Hyderabad
In the inaugural season of the IPL itself, we witnessed a record run chase which would go on to stay the biggest chase in IPL history for 12 years. Deccan Chargers were powered by Andrew Symonds’ powerful 117* as they posted 214 on the board. The target seemed a bit too steep for RR’s batting line up. But Rajasthan, who had a dream season in 2008, took on the challenge and proved everyone wrong. With a 71 from Graeme Smith, a swashbuckling 61 off just 28 balls by Yusuf Pathan and small contributions from rest of the team, RR was able to achieve the unthinkable and have their names etched in record books.
1) 224 chased by RR against KXIP in 2020, Sharjah
Rajasthan broke their own long-standing 12-year record in a phenomenal match played at Sharjah this season. Batting first, KXIP put up 223 on the board with a magnificent 100 from Mayank Agarwal, a fifty from KL Rahul and a cameo at the end by Nicholas Pooran. Despite the massive score, there were still hopes of the target being chased down owing to the small dimensions of the ground. RR started poorly and looked to be losing the game and this is when Sanju Samson started making his presence felt. He made a scintillating 85 of just 42 balls. But his dismissal in the 17th over seemed to have sounded the death knell for RR. But an unsung hero, Rahul Tewatia, who had struggled for the most part of the innings, and at one point was 8 off 17 balls, took the onus upon himself. He smashed Sheldon Cottrell for 30 runs, 5 sixes, in the 18th over which swung the game dramatically in RR’s favour. Jofra Archer and Tom Curran completed the formalities as Rajasthan secured an unbelievable victory.
Apart from these, there have also been a few more top-class chases in excess of 200. In 2018 and 2019 a target of 206 was chased down by CSK and KKR respectively against the same opposition, RCB owing to the sheer brilliance of first MS Dhoni and then Andre Russell.
