Best IPL Matches That Went Down to the Last Ball
Best IPL Matches That Went Down to the Last Ball
In a league defined by drama, passion, and unpredictability, few moments capture the spirit of the Indian Premier League (IPL) like those that go down to the very last ball. Over the years, the IPL has produced countless heart-stopping finishes — matches that remind fans why cricket is not just a sport, but a roller-coaster of emotions.
From Dhoni’s helicopter finishes to unbelievable super overs, the last-ball thrillers of IPL are stitched into its very DNA. Let’s relive some of the most unforgettable last-ball finishes that made us scream, jump, and even lose our voices.
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1. Rajasthan Royals vs Kings XI Punjab (2008) – The First-Ever Thriller
The inaugural IPL season was still a mystery to fans — what would T20 cricket bring to India? The answer came early when Rajasthan Royals, led by Shane Warne, faced Kings XI Punjab.
The game went down to the last delivery, with Yusuf Pathan playing a breathtaking cameo. Rajasthan needed 3 runs off the final ball. Pathan slashed one over the infield, sealing victory.
It set the tone for the tournament — that in the IPL, no match is over until it’s truly over.
2. Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians (2012) – Dhoni’s Ice-Cold Finish
The Wankhede crowd knows drama — but this match was something else. Mumbai had set a target of 174, and CSK needed 16 off the last over. Dhoni, calm as always, faced the death bowling of Lasith Malinga — the best in the business.
Two boundaries, one helicopter shot, and a trademark cool expression later — CSK won off the final delivery.
It wasn’t just a chase — it was Dhoni’s masterclass in composure. For fans, it was proof that “Captain Cool” didn’t just lead — he finished.
3. Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (2014) – Lynn’s Gravity-Defying Catch
While not a classic chase, this game’s last-ball drama came from the field. RCB needed 6 off the final ball, with AB de Villiers ready to strike. He smashed one toward midwicket — only for Chris Lynn to leap, twist mid-air, and take one of the greatest catches in IPL history.
KKR won by 2 runs, and Lynn’s effort instantly went viral. It wasn’t just a win — it was a reminder that IPL’s last-ball moments aren’t always about batsmen; sometimes, it’s about pure athletic magic.
4. Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals (2014) – The Net Run Rate Miracle
This wasn’t just a last-ball thriller — it was mathematical madness. Mumbai needed to chase 190 within 14.3 overs to qualify for the playoffs. They reached the target in 14.4, but Aditya Tare’s last-ball six made history.
Facing James Faulkner, Tare lifted one over fine leg — and the Wankhede crowd erupted like never before. Mumbai qualified by a fraction of a second and a decimal point.
It was chaos, celebration, disbelief — and pure IPL drama.
5. Kings XI Punjab vs Chennai Super Kings (2010) – Irfan Pathan’s Redemption
Punjab had struggled all season, but this match gave fans something to remember. CSK needed 1 run off the last ball. Irfan Pathan ran in, delivered a perfect yorker, and trapped Ravichandran Ashwin LBW.
Punjab won by 1 run — the kind of victory that turns a forgettable season into folklore. It was redemption for Irfan, often criticized for inconsistency, proving that heart still beats harder than numbers.
6. Mumbai Indians vs Rising Pune Supergiant (Final, 2017) – The Tightest IPL Final
If one match defines IPL tension, it’s the 2017 final. Mumbai batted first and managed only 129/8, seemingly a below-par score. But in true IPL fashion, the game twisted till the last moment.
Pune needed 11 off the last over. Mitchell Johnson bowled nervelessly, and with 1 run needed off the final ball, Pune’s Daniel Christian was run out. Mumbai won by 1 run, claiming their third title.
It was heartbreak for Dhoni and Smith’s team, but a masterstroke of calm under chaos for Rohit Sharma’s men.
7. Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (2018) – Bravo’s One-Man Show
It was IPL 2018’s opening night — CSK’s comeback after two years of suspension. Needing 17 off the final over, Dwayne Bravo unleashed fireworks, hitting Andre Russell-like sixes to snatch victory from nowhere.
With one ball remaining, Bravo’s six sealed the game. The crowd roared not just for the win, but for the return of CSK — the team that had been missed dearly. It was poetic justice, served with style.
8. Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Delhi Capitals (2019) – Kohli’s Last-Ball Glory
Delhi posted 185, and the chase came down to RCB needing 5 off the final ball. With Kohli on strike, the stadium trembled. Kagiso Rabada bowled a pinpoint yorker — Kohli flicked it to deep midwicket and ran desperately.
The throw missed. RCB won. Kohli’s celebration — punching the air, roaring like a lion — summed up the emotion. Sometimes, IPL victories are personal, not just statistical.
9. Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians (2020) – The Double Super Over
2020’s IPL in the UAE was unlike any other — empty stands, but overflowing emotion. Mumbai and Punjab tied not once, but twice. The first Super Over ended level, forcing a second Super Over — the first in IPL history.
Punjab, led by KL Rahul, finally triumphed on the last ball of the second Super Over. The game had everything — skill, pressure, and chaos. It was pure IPL madness that left even the commentators breathless.
10. Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders (2021) – Jadeja’s Four-Ball Finish
In one of the most electrifying ends to a chase, Ravindra Jadeja needed 10 off the final two balls. Against Prasidh Krishna, he hit two boundaries and two sixes in four balls.
CSK won off the final delivery, and Jadeja’s calm smile said it all. For KKR, it was heartbreak; for CSK, another chapter in their never-ending book of magical finishes.
11. Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans (2022) – The Debutants’ Thriller
In Gujarat’s debut season, Rahul Tewatia produced a miracle that still feels unreal. Needing 12 off 2 balls, he hit both for sixes.
It wasn’t exactly a “last-ball win” — but it came down to that nerve-wracking final moment where everything was on the line. IPL’s ability to create new heroes was on full display.
That’s the magic — every season, someone new writes a last-ball fairytale.
12. Lucknow Super Giants vs Kolkata Knight Riders (2023) – The One-Run Epic
KKR needed 3 runs off the final ball to win. Rinku Singh — the man who once hit five consecutive sixes — was on strike. LSG bowler Yash Thakur bowled a perfect yorker; Rinku could only squeeze out two runs.
LSG won by 1 run. It was heartbreak again for KKR, but for Lucknow, a statement — that new teams, too, could master the art of holding their nerve.
Why IPL Last-Ball Thrillers Matter
No other league in the world blends pressure, unpredictability, and entertainment quite like the IPL. The last-ball finish is the heartbeat of its storytelling — reminding fans that anything can happen till the very end.
These games also showcase cricket’s evolution — from skill-based contests to psychological battles. Every last ball carries more than runs; it carries reputation, pride, and sometimes, redemption.
From Dhoni to Tewatia – The Legacy of Nerves
Across seasons, one pattern remains — the coolest heads prevail.
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Dhoni’s calm eyes under pressure.
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Rohit’s tactical reading of the last over.
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Bravo’s dance before the final delivery.
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Rinku’s quiet belief, even when impossible.
IPL’s beauty lies in these snapshots — heroes born in a heartbeat, heartbreak written in a second.
What Fans Remember Forever
It’s never just about who won. It’s about:
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The tension of silence before the bowler runs in.
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The roar as the ball clears the boundary or hits the stumps.
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The replays watched a hundred times that night.
Every IPL fan has a favorite last-ball memory — the kind that makes you forget to breathe until it’s over.
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Best IPL Matches That Went Down to the Last Ball
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Relive the most thrilling IPL matches that went down to the last ball — from Dhoni’s heroics to double super overs, the moments that define T20 magic.
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