The Indian Premier League has earned its reputation as a festival of big hits and towering sixes, where batters aim to post intimidating totals. But with all that aggression, there's always the flip side — teams sometimes crash to surprisingly low scores, putting the onus on bowlers to pull off a miracle.
It’s rare to see a team defend a total under 125 and emerge victorious. Yet, the IPL thrives on its unpredictability — where one over can flip a match on its head, where batting collapses under 50 runs aren't unheard of, and scores resembling ODIs are more common than one might think.
Still, successfully defending a low total is a rarity. But when it does happen, it becomes an instant classic. Here’s a look at the lowest totals that teams have bravely defended in IPL history (Excluding rain-affected games):
1. 111 – Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders, 2025
April 15, 2025, witnessed an absolute thriller as Punjab Kings defended a mere 111 against the Kolkata Knight Riders. Dismissed cheaply, PBKS looked down and out. But their bowlers brought raw intensity and unmatched discipline, rattling KKR’s batting unit and pulling off a stunning 16-run win. It was a true testament to Punjab’s resilience and fighting spirit.
2. 116 – Chennai Super Kings vs Kings XI Punjab, 2009
Chennai Super Kings pulled off one of the most astonishing defenses in IPL history back in 2009. They managed only 116/9 in 20 overs, with Parthiv Patel top-scoring with a 23-ball 32. But under MS Dhoni’s tactical brilliance, CSK’s bowling unit delivered a masterclass. Kings XI Punjab stumbled in the chase and ended at 92/8, handing CSK a memorable 24-run win — a record that still stands as the lowest total successfully defended in the league.
3. 118 – Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Mumbai Indians, 2018
At the Wankhede in 2018, Sunrisers Hyderabad were skittled for just 118 in 18.4 overs against the mighty Mumbai Indians. However, SRH turned the game into a low-scoring spectacle. Siddarth Kaul (3/23), Basil Thampi (2/4), and Rashid Khan (2/11) dismantled the Mumbai lineup, bowling them out for only 87. The 31-run win is still one of SRH’s most celebrated defensive triumphs.
4. 119 – Kings XI Punjab vs Mumbai Indians, 2009
During a Durban showdown in 2009, Kings XI Punjab — led by Yuvraj Singh — managed 119/8, with Kumar Sangakkara grinding out a steady 45 off 44. Mumbai Indians seemed set for an easy chase, but Punjab’s disciplined bowling turned the tide. Despite JP Duminy’s fighting 59 from 63 balls, Mumbai could only muster 116/7. Punjab edged out a 3-run win in a nail-biter.
5. 119 – Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Pune Warriors India, 2013
In another unforgettable low-score defense, SRH scraped to 119/8 against Pune Warriors in 2013, thanks to crucial knocks from Biplab Samantray (37) and Ashish Reddy (19). Amit Mishra was the star with both bat and ball — scoring 30 from 24 deliveries and taking 4/19 in a match-winning spell. Pune’s chase crumbled, and they were bowled out for 108, giving SRH an 11-run victory and another feather in their bowling cap.
The IPL might be built on power-hitting and big totals, but these gritty, low-scoring contests prove that sometimes, it’s the bowlers who write the most unforgettable scripts.
