Top 10 Greatest IPL Matches

The first match in IPL history set the standard for the tournament and T20s in general. In April 2008, KKR’s Brendon McCullum demonstrated the IPL’s hardcore, no-holds-barred entertainment value by smashing a mammoth 158. KKR made getting a score above 200 look like child’s play. Starting things off with such a bang enabled the tournament to soar to the heights it’s known for today. Though it was McCullum’s batting that ultimately sealed the victory, KKR’s fabulous bowling performance showed that bowlers had an equal role to play. Despite possessing some of the greatest hitters in the game, RCB never quite got going. However, this helped to confirm that the IPL was a tournament that was as unpredictable as it was exhilarating.

There had been many big scores before this 2013 match. But none lit up the sky like Chris Gayle’s spectacular innings. At the time, there was no larger T20 score than RCB’s 263, and no innings higher than Gayle’s 175, making this match one for the record books. Gayle’s clean hitting remains awe-inspiring to watch, as the batsman hammered sixes galore around the stadium. It was the performance that justified why RCB had paid big for Gayle’s services, and no bowler even slightly threatened his resolve. Although a one-sided game, the match has among the best replay value in the IPL. Gayle’s onslaught is still breathtaking over a decade later, while RCB’s spirited bowling performance made it an all-round effort.

Matches that go down the wire are usually see-saw affairs. This one was all about the final over. KKR bossed Mumbai around for most of the match, posting a good total before keeping the run rate low during the latter’s chase. They had the opportunity to deny Mumbai the chance to progress in the tournament. But despite the tall task of scoring 21 in 6 balls, the last over went Mumbai’s way, as lucky edges sped toward the boundary on multiple occasions. With 5 needed off the final ball, the team pulled a miracle to end things with a six. Years since, few matches have had so many people’s hearts in their throats, especially one that swung around completely in its final moments.

Not all great matches need to be high-scoring affairs. This 2019 encounter certainly proves it. Even with Mumbai Indians’ batting prowess, the team could only muster 136 across all 20 overs. Sunrisers’ overwhelming odds for victory were heightened after a solid start, but that turned out to be as far as they would go. After the fall of the first wicket, Sunrisers’ batting order was absolutely dismantled by their opponents. Thanks to a star-making six-wicket haul from debutant Alzarri Joseph, Mumbai’s small target ultimately looked massive. It was about which team believed they could win, and the momentum was clearly in Mumbai’s favor. The low-scoring thriller showed that the IPL isn’t just a batsman’s paradise.

Sometimes, individual brilliance is more than enough. However, cricket isn’t a team sport for nothing. In this 2018 match, KKR’s Andre Russell threatened to turn things into a one-man show with a spectacular all-round performance. Russell’s power-hitting lifted Mumbai to a commanding total, as the batsman smashed 88 off just 36 balls. KKR remained one step ahead of CSK during the reply, but the latter team's collective effort stole the win. Along with Shane Watson’s hard-hitting opening, Sam Billings dazzled with some late fireworks. As is usually the case with classics, the final over decided the match. Thanks to an unlucky no ball from Dwayne Bravo, CSK wrested control before winning with a last-ball six.

It isn’t every day that winning in the 15th over is a necessity – 14.4 overs, to be exact. With just one qualifier spot remaining, the two teams had everything to play for in 2014. Mumbai had it in the bag, but an exact score was needed to lift their run rate above the Royals’. And by some miracle, they achieved it. Corey Anderson’s uninhibited innings defined the chase, as the batsman scored an unbeaten 95 off just 44 deliveries. But it was the last few moments that elevated this into a classic. With set batsman Ambati Rayudu out, Mumbai needed a boundary off one delivery. Aditya Tare smashed the first ball he faced for a six, stunning Royals out of the tournament and sending Mumbai through.

In 2008, the first-ever IPL final lived up to its marquee billing. Having been far and away the best side of the season, Royals pulled off a final heist to become the inaugural IPL champions. Thanks to Yusuf Pathan’s contributions with both ball and bat, the team was always within sight of clinching the win. However, CSK gave them more than a little fight. MS Dhoni’s tactical field setting contained the run flow long enough for the match to go to the last ball. And while a Royals victory was still on the cards, the game could have easily gone the other way. For the most part, this match is remembered for establishing the IPL final as a large-scale spectacle.

MS Dhoni gained a fearsome reputation as a finisher playing for India. However, he’s transferred this talent flawlessly to the IPL as well. No match better displayed this than this 2010 one, which saw CSK head into the semi-finals. Punjab – eliminated and playing for pride – did well to reach a commanding figure. Shaun Marsh’s blitzing 88 left viewers wondering how CSK could overcome the target. With Dhoni at the crease, though, any target seems small. The CSK captain launched a flurry of attacks during the backend of the innings, with Punjab helpless to react. Needing 29 off 2 overs, Dhoni ended proceedings with two balls to spare. With wild scenes, a packed house, and Dhoni’s mastery, CSK rode this victory’s momentum all the way to the final.

When it comes to performing in finals, no team (besides the Chennai Super Kings) has come close to touching the Mumbai Indians’ track record. Heading into the 2017 match as favorites, the side was restricted to a low score of 129. As it turned out, this was enough to lay their hands on the trophy. The team rallied back to throttle Supergiant’s reply despite the latter barely losing wickets. It was the kind of bowling performance that had to be seen to be believed, as Supergiant couldn’t find boundaries no matter how hard they tried. Still, the match was alive until its closing moments when Mitchell Johnson conjured a magnificent over to leave Supergiant only one run short.

Fittingly, the two most successful IPL teams had the most memorable match in the tournament’s history in 2019. In a tale of contrasting innings, Mumbai began slowly and ended on a high while CSK went the opposite direction. After struggling to a score below 150, Mumbai were on course for a heavy defeat. CSK’s blazing start made it seem like the match was won, only for the team to capitulate like never before. Mumbai’s bowlers collectively engineered an astounding collapse, as none of CSK’s lower order regained momentum. Ever the death bowler, Lasith Malinga dashed any hopes of recovery with a marvelous last over that won Mumbai yet another IPL. The topsy-turvy affair was one for the ages, ending as one of the greatest matches in T20 history.

Which IPL match took your breath away? Let us know in the comments.