The IPL is famous for massive hits and crazy high scores, but believe it or not, there have also been some games where the batting just fell apart! These super low-scoring matches are a surprise to fans and a dream come true for bowlers. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and see which teams and bowlers hold the records (good or bad, depending on how you see it) for the lowest scores in IPL history.
The Collapse of Titans: Royal Challengers Bangalore’s 49 (2017)
At the top of the ‘lowest score’ leaderboard sits Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) with a measly 49 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2017. This match, played on April 23rd, 2017, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, became synonymous with RCB’s batting fragility.
The KKR pace attack, led by Nathan Coulter-Nile and Chris Woakes, unleashed mayhem on the RCB batsmen. Coulter-Nile finished with figures of 3/12, while Woakes chipped in with 3/17. None of the RCB batsmen could even reach double digits, with Kedar Jadhav’s 9 being the highest score. Chasing a paltry target of 50, KKR completed the formality in just 5.2 overs, winning by a massive 10-wicket margin. This match remains etched in IPL history as a testament to the power of swing bowling and the vulnerability of even the most star-studded batting lineups.
A Double Dose of Despair: Rajasthan Royals’ Low Scores (2009 & 2023)
Rajasthan Royals (RR) finds itself with an unwanted double on this list. Their first entry is a 58-run score against RCB (yes, the same RCB) in the inaugural IPL season in 2009. Playing in Durban, South Africa, RR’s batting order crumbled against a disciplined RCB bowling attack. The highlight (or lowlight, depending on your allegiance) was Anil Kumble’s extraordinary spell of 5/5 in just 3.1 overs, leaving RR reeling at a meager total.
Fast forward to IPL 2023, and RR finds itself at the receiving end of another batting collapse, this time against RCB again. Chasing a target of 172 at their home ground in Jaipur, RR’s batting imploded spectacularly. Mohammed Siraj and Harshal Patel wreaked havoc, picking up three wickets each. Only Shimron Hetmyer’s 35 runs offered some resistance as RR was bundled out for a mere 59 runs. This match served as a stark reminder of the fickle nature of T20 cricket, where fortunes can change dramatically within a few overs.
Other Notable Low Scores in IPL History
While RCB and RR hold the top unfortunate spots, other teams have also experienced batting meltdowns in the IPL. Here are some other noteworthy low scores:
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Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals): They hold the dubious distinction of the 4th (66) and 5th (67) lowest totals. Both these scores came in IPL 2017, against Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) respectively.
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Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings): They were bundled out for a paltry 45 against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2014. This remains the lowest total defended successfully in the IPL’s history.
Reasons Behind Low Scores in the IPL
Several factors can contribute to a team scoring exceptionally low in the IPL:
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Quality Bowling: If a bowling team works well together and has both fast bowlers (pace) and slower bowlers (spin), they can find the weak spots in the other team’s batters and get them out early.
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Swing and Seam Bowling: When the opening batsmen get knocked out early because the ball is swerving in the air (swing bowling) or scooting off the ground (seam bowling), it can really rattle the remaining batters. This can make them play more carefully and not swing as freely at the ball, which can lead to a string of outs.
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Batting Collapses: Sometimes, all it takes is one batter getting out early to set off a chain reaction. Wickets can start falling one after another quickly, leaving the team with a really low score at the end.
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Pressure Situations: Even the best batters can crack under pressure in the intense IPL environment. This can lead them to make bad choices about which shots to play and get themselves out easily.
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Conclusion
Big hits rule the IPL! But low-scoring games teach us a lot. Great bowling wins games! All batters must be on fire! Pressure can be tough! Big scores grab headlines, but low ones add excitement! That’s why the IPL is so much fun!