IPL: Top 5 Most Iconic Last-Over Finishes

Well, the final overs in an IPL match are often hailed as the game-changer for both teams as they are destined to determine the ultimate outcome of the match. With the fielding restrictions being relaxed, the last overs allow the batsmen to play big shots for their teams and successfully chase the given target.

Over the years, the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed numerous top-notch finishers, including Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Andre Russell, Hardik Pandya, AB de Villiers and many others, who have successfully led their teams to entirely unexpected and shocking victories in the last overs of the match.

In this article we will take a look at the top five most iconic and memorable last-over finishes that still rule the IPL arena.

IPL’s Top 5 Most Iconic Last-Over Finishes

• Dwayne Bravo’s 68* Runs – CSK vs MI (2018)

The on-field clash between the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Mumbai Indians (MI) never fails to keep the fans on the edge of their seats, filled with excitement and nervousness at the same time. The much-awaited CSK vs MI rivalry took an unexpectedly ferocious turn as CSK tried to chase the run target of 166 but unfortunately crumbled from 27/1 to 118/8, losing the most crucial wickets against the Mumbai Indians.

Just when the chances of CSK defeating MI were hanging loose on a thread, Dwayne Bravo stepped onto the crease and smashed 68* runs off just 30 deliveries in the last overs of the match, keeping CSK’s hopes of clinching the match alive. Although Dwayne Bravo was ultimately dismissed, leaving Imran Tahir and Kedar Jadhav at the crease, CSK managed to seal a shocking one-wicket victory over MI.

• Rinku Singh’s 5 Consecutive Sixes – GT vs KKR (2023)

The IPL 2023 edition unveiled numerous power-packed and dramatic matches throughout the tournament and the iconic clash between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) that took place on 9 April 2023 was undoubtedly the apex of the dramatic sequences on the field. Gujarat Titans (GT) batted first and posted a massive target of 204* runs for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

Although, KKR witnessed a shaky start, losing the crucial wickets of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Narayan Jagadeesan way too early in the match. The KKR squad eventually found themselves struggling at 155/7 in 16.3 overs when Rinku Singh took over command of KKR’s batting unit. The KKR stalwart smashed five consecutive sixes in the last over of the match when the team required 28* runs off the last five balls of the match.

• Ambati Rayudu’s 30* Runs – MI vs RR (2014)

At the third spot in our list of the top five most iconic and memorable last-over finishes that still rule the IPL arena, we have Ambati Rayudu, who changed the course of the entire match for Mumbai Indians (MI), who were struggling to chase 190 runs in 14.3 overs to defeat Rajasthan Royals (RR) and secure the playoff spot in the IPL 2014 season.

When Ambati Rayudu walked to the crease, Mumbai Indians (MI) required 82* runs off 31 deliveries. Although MI fans had already lost their hopes of winning the match, Rayudu took the spotlight and set the pitch on fire right in his first over. Rayudu smashed four consecutive boundaries in the first over, bringing Mumbai Indians (MI) back into the game. Rayudu scored 30* runs off before he was run out, giving MI the much-needed lead in the match. Later, Aditya Tare smashed a six, sealing MI’s victory over RR with a tiny margin of 0.01 NRR.

• Ravindra Jadeja’s Winning Six – CSK vs GT (2023)

The final showdown of the IPL 2023 season between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Gujarat Titans (GT) undoubtedly went down in the history of the IPL as one of the most thrilling and intense finales that kept the audience hooked on their seats till the very last delivery of the match.

Gujarat Titans (GT) batted first and posted a total of 214/4 in 20 overs; however, rain interrupted the game and the target was later revised to 171 runs in 15 overs through the DLS method. Although CSK’s dynamic batting line-up did wonders with Devon Conway (47* runs off 25 deliveries) and Shivam Dube (32* runs off 21 deliveries) keeping CSK in the game, the final moments of the match boiled down to Jadeja’s innings. Just when Chennai Super Kings (CSK) required ten runs off the last two deliveries of the match, Jadeja smashed a match-winning six over the long-on and sealed CSK’s victory in the IPL 2023 finale against Gujarat Titans (GT) with a flawless boundary.

• Kieron Pollard’s Power-Packed 20* Runs – MI vs KKR (2014)

Finally, at the fifth spot in our list of the top five last over finishes that left the IPL fans shocked, we have the blood-curdling on-field battle between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on 24 May 2014. The final league match of the IPL 2014 season witnessed KKR set up a target of 171 runs for the MI squad.

In order to secure a playoff spot, the Mumbai Indians (MI) required 20 runs in the last six balls of the match, leaving fans of both sides in a nail-biting situation. With one of the most destructive match-finishers in the league, Kieron Pollard, MI seemed to be in a safe spot. Pollard smashed three consecutive sixes in the final over and sealed Mumbai Indians (MI) victory against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the thrilling match.