Top 5 Lowest Totals Successfully Defended In IPL History

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is often described as a batter’s paradise—where boundaries flow like water, 200-plus scores are chased down with flair, and power-hitters become overnight icons. The very fabric of the T20 format screams aggression and entertainment. With flat decks, lightning-quick outfields, and short boundaries, bowlers often find themselves mere supporting characters in a script written for batters.

But every once in a while, the tide turns.

There have been rare but unforgettable moments when the bowlers have snatched back control, redefining what’s possible in a format designed to make them suffer. In these encounters, modest targets became monumental missions. Through impeccable planning, pinpoint execution, and a little bit of magic, these bowling units scripted some of the most spine-chilling thrillers in IPL history.

Here’s a deep dive into the top five lowest totals ever defended in the IPL, where bowlers flipped the script and etched their names into folklore.

1. Punjab Kings Defend 111 vs Kolkata Knight Riders (2025)

Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh
PBKS Score: 111 all out
KKR Score: 95 all out
Victory Margin: 16 runs

In what is now considered the lowest total ever defended in IPL history, Punjab Kings pulled off an absolute miracle in front of their home crowd during IPL 2025. On a pitch that was two-paced and offered unpredictable bounce, Punjab’s batters faltered terribly, folding for just 111 runs in 15.3 overs. KKR’s chase appeared comfortable as they reached 62/2, with Shreyas Iyer and Rinku Singh at the crease.

But then came Yuzvendra Chahal—a master of composure and variation. His spell of 4/28 triggered a collapse of epic proportions. KKR crumbled under pressure, losing 8 wickets for just 33 runs. Marco Jansen (3/17) and Harshal Patel (2/16) were equally destructive, forming a deadly trio. KKR were bowled out for 95, stunned and silenced.

This match wasn’t just about stats—it was about spirit. It reminded the world that no total is too small if belief burns bright.

2. Chennai Super Kings Defend 116/9 vs KXIP (2009)

Venue: Kingsmead, Durban (South Africa)
CSK Score: 116/9
KXIP Score: 92/8
Victory Margin: 24 runs

In the 2009 season, relocated to South Africa due to elections in India, Chennai Super Kings proved their mettle in an old-school, low-scoring slugfest. Batting first on a sluggish Durban pitch, CSK huffed and puffed to 116/9, with not a single batter crossing 30.

The onus fell on the bowlers—and they delivered like seasoned craftsmen. Muttiah Muralitharan spun webs around the Punjab batters, supported by a young Ravichandran Ashwin and an unexpected hero in Suresh Raina, whose part-time spin chipped in crucial overs.

Punjab’s chase never gained momentum. Six of their top seven batters failed to reach double digits, and despite a late fightback, they were restricted to 92/8 in 20 overs. It was a strategic masterclass in defending a low total.

3. Sunrisers Hyderabad Defend 118 vs Mumbai Indians (2018)

Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
SRH Score: 118 all out
MI Score: 87 all out
Victory Margin: 31 runs

On paper, Sunrisers Hyderabad were finished. At the batting-friendly Wankhede, their lineup crumbled for just 118 runs, with no batter crossing 30. Mumbai Indians, with their powerhouse lineup—Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, and Kieron Pollard—were expected to stroll to victory.

But the Sunrisers bowling unit had other plans.

Rashid Khan, as always, was the enforcer. His 2/11 in four overs tightened the screws. But it was a total team effort—Sandeep Sharma, Siddarth Kaul, and Basil Thampi complemented Rashid by maintaining relentless pressure.

Mumbai’s chase turned chaotic, with panic setting in after every wicket. They were eventually bundled out for 87. The Wankhede crowd was stunned, and SRH walked away with a win that proved why bowling still matters, even under the lights of T20.

4. Kings XI Punjab Defend 119/8 vs Mumbai Indians (2009)

Venue: Kingsmead, Durban
KXIP Score: 119/8
MI Score: 116/7
Victory Margin: 3 runs

Back in 2009, Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) were masters of the dogfight. In another Durban drama, they posted a meagre 119/8. It didn’t look nearly enough—especially against a Mumbai lineup featuring Sanath Jayasuriya, Sachin Tendulkar, and JP Duminy.

Mumbai were rocked early, slumping to 12/3 thanks to incisive bowling from Irfan Pathan and Yusuf Abdulla. JP Duminy staged a valiant rescue act with a composed 59, but wickets kept tumbling at the other end.

Needing 14 runs off the final over, MI crumbled under pressure. Punjab’s fielding was electric, and their death-over execution near-perfect. The match ended with Punjab holding their nerve and clinching a 3-run win—one of the narrowest low-total defenses in IPL history.

5. Sunrisers Hyderabad Defend 119/8 vs Pune Warriors India (2013)

Venue: Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium, Pune
SRH Score: 119/8
PWI Score: 108 all out
Victory Margin: 11 runs

The now-defunct Pune Warriors India (PWI) looked like they were cruising in this 2013 encounter. Chasing a modest 119, they had reached 68/2 by the 12th over. But Sunrisers Hyderabad’s game sense and bowling brilliance flipped the match on its head.

Veteran leg-spinner Amit Mishra came into the attack and bowled an extraordinary spell—4/19. He was unplayable, weaving a web of flight and turn that left the Pune batters clueless. His scalps included key players like Robin Uthappa and Angelo Mathews.

As wickets fell like dominoes, panic set in. The last eight PWI wickets fell for just 40 runs. SRH celebrated one of the most thrilling wins in their franchise history, and Mishra’s spell became one for the ages.

The Triumph of Discipline Over Firepower

While the IPL continues to be a stage for aggressive batting heroics and jaw-dropping strike rates, these matches serve as critical reminders that bowling—when executed with precision, courage, and craft—can still be a match-winner. Whether it’s a leggie like Yuzvendra Chahal twisting fate with wrist spin or a collective pace attack squeezing life out of a chase, these low-scoring thrillers remain the most cherished underdog stories in IPL history.

In a format that often dismisses the bowler as cannon fodder, these five matches underline a beautiful cricketing truth: You don’t need a mountain of runs to win; sometimes, you just need belief—and a few inspired overs.

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