The history of the Indian Premier League is full of chaos, pressure, and impossible comebacks. Throughout its existence, the league has seen lots of nail-biting encounters, but some matches changed the tone of the game within just one over. Fans of the competition can remember many nail-biting finishes that remain the focus of discussion in cricket today. In terms of drama and significance, the 5 most memorable last-over finishes of IPL are those that shaped the course of a whole season and featured the participation of best players.
What is more, each of these matches demonstrated the amount of pressure that IPL creates in terms of tension. Some of the games were won or lost on one single ball of the match, some teams had to chase over 200 runs from the impossible positions, and there were some individual performances changing the fate of all teams completely.
1. KKR vs Gujarat Titans, 2023 – Rinku Singh’s Five-Sixes
The Kolkata Knight Riders produced one of the best-ever comebacks against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad. The Knight Riders required 29 runs off the last over, and it seemed that Gujarat was winning the match. Yash Dayal was going to bowl the last over, and Rinku Singh was on strike. Then came a shock for the whole cricket fraternity.
Rinku smashed sixes in all five deliveries to score the winning run and helped his team win by three wickets. In the meantime, Gujarat had managed to secure 204 runs, whereas the hat-trick delivered by Rashid Khan had made life tough for the KKR at 155/7. But then, in the next five balls, Rinku’s stroke play changed the scenario altogether. The finish immediately became one of IPL’s defining moments because such a chase had almost no statistical possibility.
2. Mumbai Indians vs CSK, IPL Final 2019 – Malinga’s Last Ball
Mumbai Indians vs. Chennai Super Kings in the 2019 IPL final turned out to be a nail-biter till the last ball. Mumbai Indians scored 149/8 in Hyderabad with the help of Kieron Pollard’s important innings. However, in response, Chennai Super Kings started well with 70/1 on board but lost steam post Suresh Raina’s dismissal.
Shane Watson showed amazing resolve with his fight against injuries as he held Chennai Super Kings hopes aloft. In the end, Chennai Super Kings required only two runs off the final delivery. Lasith Malinga replied with a slower yorker which got Shardul Thakur leg before wicket. Mumbai Indians won the game by just one run and became champions for the fourth time in the history of IPL.
3. CSK vs Mumbai Indians, 2018 – Bravo and Jadhav’s Rescue Act
Chennai Super Kings marked their IPL return in dramatic fashion against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium. Chasing 166, CSK collapsed repeatedly and slipped to 118/8. Mumbai appeared certain to win before Dwayne Bravo launched a brutal counterattack.
Bravo smashed 68 off just 30 balls and dragged Chennai back into the contest. After his dismissal, CSK still needed seven runs in the final over with injured Kedar Jadhav at the crease. Jadhav, struggling to run between wickets, waited for the right ball and flicked the winning boundary over fine leg. CSK completed a one-wicket victory in one of their most emotional wins.
Also Read | 5 Greatest IPL Finals of all times
4. CSK vs RCB, 2019 – Dhoni’s Unfortunate Chase
Royal Challengers Bengaluru defended 161 runs against Chennai Super Kings in a thriller at Chinnaswamy Stadium. CSK were reduced to 28/4 early before MS Dhoni and Ambati Rayudu rebuilt the innings carefully.
The equation became steep at 26 runs needed in the final over. Dhoni nearly overturned the game alone by smashing 24 runs off the first five balls against Umesh Yadav. However, the final delivery changed the result. Dhoni missed a slower ball, and Parthiv Patel completed a sharp run-out. RCB won by one run. Even in defeat, Dhoni’s assault became one of IPL’s most replayed finishes.
5. Gujarat Titans vs CSK, IPL Final 2023 – Jadeja’s Heroics
IPL 2023 Finals that were rain-affected brought yet another enthralling conclusion for the clash between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings. The scorecard saw Gujarat making 214/4, with an amazing innings by Sai Sudharsan. Considering the rain effect on the match, Chennai had a target of 171 in 15 overs.
The match continued to see swings throughout its latter part. The performance of Mohit Sharma in the last over proved to be amazing with his four deliveries, after which CSK only needed ten runs from two balls. However, it was Ravindra Jadeja who made it history in one stroke as he hit a six and then a four, ensuring the fifth IPL trophy for Chennai.
