Top 5 Lowest Totals Defended In IPL History: IPL has seen many turnaround moments when teams have pulled off unexpected wins with equally stunning bowling displays, defending targets once thought to be undefendable. The 2025 season earned its place in the history books as Punjab Kings defended a total of 111, setting a record for the lowest total that has ever been defended in the Indian Premier League.
Here are the top 5 lowest totals defended in IPL history:
1. Punjab Kings—111 vs. Kolkata Knight Riders (2025)
Date: April 15, 2025
Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Result: Punjab Kings won by 16 runs.
Through a historic comeback at Eden Gardens, Punjab Kings established themselves in history. At the time of their bowling, they were being written off completely after being all out for merely 111 runs in 15.3 overs. That was when Yuzvendra Chahal and Marco Jansen stepped up with a phenomenal bowling performance. Chahal ran through Kolkata’s middle order with 4/28, giving no chance for momentum shifts with Jansen’s 3/17. KKR folded for just 95 in 15.1 overs, handing over the record for the lowest total ever defended in IPL history to Punjab Kings.
2. Chennai Super Kings—116/9 vs. Kings XI Punjab (2009)
Date: May 20, 2009
Venue: Durban, South Africa
Result: Chennai Super Kings won by 24 runs.
That tournament, held in South Africa in 2009, a slow-running pitch in Durban, made CSK manage 116/9. Immediately after this came a performance of controlled yet sharp bowling. The seasoned attack set on by Muttiah Muralitharan and Manpreet Gony strangled the Kings XI Punjab chase. Punjab managed only 92/8 in 20 overs, falling 24 runs short; it was, at the time, a record for the lowest total successfully defended.
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3. Sunrisers Hyderabad—118 vs. Mumbai Indians (2018)
Date: April 24, 2018
Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Result: Sunrisers Hyderabad won by 31 runs.
In one of the most clinical bowling displays as a whole, Sunrisers Hyderabad was bowled out for a paltry 118 against a very high-class Mumbai Indians side. In a turn of events that turned ugly, the chase quickly became a nightmare for MI. Rashid Khan and Siddarth Kaul led the charge, bundling out Mumbai for 87. With a fine contribution from all the bowlers, Hyderabad defended 118 by 31 runs, quite spectacular, especially at a batting-friendly place like Wankhede.
4. Kings XI Punjab—119/8 vs. Mumbai Indians (2009)
Date: May 12, 2009
Venue: Durban
Result: Kings XI Punjab won by 3 runs.
The harrowing match in South Africa witnessed during the 2009 IPL season proved how spirit and skills can win matches for a team. Kings XI Punjab managed a modest score of 119/8, but thanks to tight bowling by Yusuf Abdulla and Irfan Pathan, they went on to win the match by 3 runs. The Mumbai Indians finished at 116/7 after Sachin Tendulkar’s efforts made this one of the most exciting low-score defenses.
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5. Sunrisers Hyderabad – 119/8 Pune Warriors India (2013)
Date: 17 April, 2013
Venue: Hyderabad
Result: Sunrisers Hyderabad won by 11 runs.
Sunrisers Hyderabad became the headlines in the IPL debut season for a nail-biting defense against Pune Warriors India. Batting first, with a rather low score of 119/8, the SRH bowlers — Amit Mishra, Dale Steyn, and Thisara Perera — joined forces to suffocate the chase. Pune never found their rhythm and crumbled for just 108 runs, handing an 11-run victory to Hyderabad.
