
Throughout the years, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed some spectacular run-chases. Nothing like a tense T20 chase finale. It’s always amazing to watch teams triumph in unlikely circumstances.
On Sunday, April 9, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) hitter Rinku Singh delivered a masterpiece against the reigning champion Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The southpaw hammered 39 runs off the final eight balls to save his side from losing.
On that point, these are the five most costly 20th overs in an IPL successful run-chase.
KKR v GT (Ahmedabad, 2023) – 31 runs
Gujarat Titans set a target of 205 for the visitors following all-rounder Vijay Shankar’s outstanding batting effort, which saw him hit 63 runs off only 24 balls and push the team’s total over 200.
In response, KKR’s pairing of Venkatesh Iyer and Nitish Rana kept them in the game despite early defeats. Nevertheless, Rashid Khan’s hat-trick in the 17th over ensured that victory was practically out of reach.
But, when 39 runs were needed, Rinku Singh went crazy in the final eight balls of the innings. He batted an incredible 48* off only 21 balls and struck five consecutive sixes in the last over off Yash Dayal to help his side win one of the greatest run-chases in history.
Deccan Chargers v KKR (Johannesburg, 2009) – 26 runs
In what was the final game of the IPL league stage, Kolkata set the now-defunct Deccan Chargers a goal of 161 runs.
In response, Adam Gilchrist batted first and scored 43 runs off 31 balls. T Suman also contributed significantly, scoring 31 runs off 24 balls.
The Chargers needed 21 runs off the last over, with Rohit Sharma and Venugopal Rao at the crease. Bangladesh pacer Mashrafe Mortaza delivered a no-ball, and Rohit struck a four.
In the succeeding deliveries, the right-handed batsman blasted two more sixes and a boundary, while Mortaza threw up numerous extras. His eight-ball over made things simpler for the young gun, who pulled off one of the finest heists of his career.
GT v SRH (Wankhede, 2022) – 25 runs
In their title-winning IPL season last year, the Titans successfully chased down 196 runs against a formidable SunRisers Hyderabad bowling team at the Wankhede. Although not being considered highly as a team heading into the event, they pulled off a number of amazing triumphs in run-chases.
With Rashid Khan and Rahul Tewatia at the crease, GT needed 22 runs in the last over. Tewatia hit Marco Jansen for a six on the opening pitch and singled on the next.
Rashid hit three sixes off four balls against his previous squad, scoring two key points for the Titans.
RCB v PWI (Chinnaswamy, 2012) – 24 runs
RCB had to chase a 183-run target at home against the now-defunct Pune Warriors. Chris Gayle was instrumental in the successful chase, hitting 81 runs off only 48 balls. Nonetheless, they still need 56 runs off the final 26 balls. It was now up to AB de Villiers and Saurabh Tiwary.
The Royal Challengers Bangalore needed 28 runs off the final two overs. Ashoke Dinda’s excellent 19th over meant they required 21 off the last over.
De Villiers smashed one four and two sixes, while Tiwary concluded with a six when they needed three runs off the penultimate ball. Tiwary delivered one of the finest knocks of his career.
MI v KKR (Eden Gardens, 2011) – 23 runs
Under their home conditions, Mumbai Indians had to chase 175 runs against a solid KKR bowling attack. The top order was led by Sachin Tendulkar (38 off 27 balls) and Harbhajan Singh (30 off 29 balls). Rohit Sharma and Kieron Pollard were unable to get started, allowing the lower order to do the majority of the work.
They needed 40 runs off 15 balls after Pollard was dismissed. As they required 21 runs off the penultimate over, James Franklin and Ambati Rayudu were at the crease.
The Kiwi all-rounder blasted four boundaries in a row before taking a single off the following ball, putting Rayudu on strike. The right-handed batter hit a six off the final pitch, leading in an epic win for the team.
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