IPL: 6 unforgettable last-over finishes that changed the game

GT-vs-CSK-2023-Final. (Photo Source: X)

The Indian Premier League is popular for its entertainment factor. Be it in terms of matches or glamour, the league has a lot to offer for the fans and the players. More importantly, IPL is a league where most of the best players in the world take part it. Hence, there is room for high-quality cricket, which often leads to close encounters between two sides.

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No team is an absolute favorite on a given day. A team can beat their opponents even if they do not seem so strong on paper. Any player can turn to be a hero and upset their opponents. In the history of the league, there have been so many thrilling matches. Many such matches went down to the wire and finished in the last over to thrill the fans.

Here are the six most iconic last-over finishes in IPL history:

6. RCB vs CSK (2019)

Batting first, RCB posted 161 runs on the board on an unexpectedly slower Chinnaswamy surface. CSK were in all sorts of trouble when they were reduced to 28/4 in the powerplay overs. CSK built the innings on the back of the partnership between MS Dhoni and Ambati Rayudu.

As the required run rate kept on increasing, CSK was under pressure. Eventually, the equation came down to 26 runs in the last over. Dhoni did something incredible as he smashed 24 runs in the first 5 balls. Umesh Yadav cleverly delivered a leg cutter, and Dhoni missed it. Parthiv Patel’s run out meant RCB beat CSK by a solitary run.

5. GT vs CSK (2023 Final)

GT vs CSK’s IPL 2023 final was affected by rain. As the Titans scored 214/4 on the back of Sai Sudarashan’s knock, CSK had to chase 171 runs in 15 overs. The match had a lot of ebbs and flows. Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Shivam Dube, and Ajinkya Rahane did a fine job in the run chase.

However, Dhoni’s shocking golden duck turned the tides. Despite the cameo from Ambati Rayudu, it was anyone’s game. Mohit Sharma bowled the last overs and delivered four great deliveries. In the last two balls, 9 runs were needed and GT were the favorites. But Jadeja smashed a six and a four and helped CSK to clinch their fifth IPL title.

4. MI vs CSK (2017 Final)

It was a low-scoring final, which was nothing short of a roller coaster ride. The surface in Hyderabad was slow and difficult to bat on. MI managed to score 129 runs, thanks to Krunal Pandya’s innings lower down the order. Chasing it, RPS seemed content with rotating strike despite playing a lot of dot balls.

The strategy seemed to take the game deep and finish with wickets in hand. In the last over, RPS needed 11 runs with 7 wickets in hand. However, Mitchell Johnson held the nerves and dismissed Manoj Tiwary and Steve Smith. In the last ball, 4 runs were needed. Daniel Christian and Washington Sundar managed just two runs, as MI clinched their third title.

3. GT vs KKR (2023)

GT batted first and scored 204 runs on a good batting surface in Ahmedabad. Despite losing the wickets of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Narayan Jagadeeshan early, KKR recovered, thanks to Venkatesh Iyer and Nitish Rana’s innings. However, Rashid Khan’s hat-trick pulled the game back in GT’s favor.

KKR was reduced to 155/7 in 16.3 overs. 50 runs were needed in the last 21 balls with only one recognixed batter in Rinku Singh. The Southpaw played some shots. However, the equatioin came down to 28 runs in the last 5 balls, which was inhumane to be achieved. Rinku smashed five sixes in the last five balls and pulled off one of the greatest heists in the history of the league.

2. MI vs CSK (2019 Final)

It was arguably the greatest final and one of the greatest matches in the history of the IPL. Batting first in Hyderabad, MI scored 149/8 on the back of a good knock from Kieron Pollard. Chasing 150, CSK was going decent with 70/1 at one stage. But Suresh Raina’s wicket triggered a mini collapse.

The Men in Yellow were reduced to 82/4 in no time. Shane Watson played a blinder despite suffering a massive knee injury. Despite blood flowing from his knee, the star batter kept his side alive in the game. When he was dismissed, CSK needed 2 runs in the last ball. Lasith Malinga bowled a slower yorker, dismissed Shardul Thakur, and helped MI win their fourth IPL title.

1. CSK vs MI (2018)

It was CSK’s comeback game in the IPL, and they found themselves in huge trouble. Facing arch-rivals MI in their backyard, CSK had to chase 166 runs. But the Yellow Army collapsed from 27/1 to 51/4. They further collapsed from 75/4 to 84/6 and 105/6 to 118/8. Chances seemed slim for MS Dhoni’s side.

But Dwayne Bravo turned out to be one of their saviours, as his 68(30) kept CSK alive in the game. When he was dismissed, CSK needed 7 runs in the last over with an injured Kedar Jadhav and Imran Tahir in the middle. Kedar couldn’t run and waited for the right delivery. He smashed the ball over the fine leg and helped CSK to clinch a thrilling 1-wicket win.

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