T20 cricket is very well known for its uncertainty. It is difficult to predict the results before the last ball being balled. This edge of the seat experience is the X-factor that attracts the audience to T20. And talking about this, what is a better edge of the seat experience than a super over.
Here is the list of the top 5 super over moments in the history of Indian Premier League:
1. CSK vs KXIP (2010):
This match between CSK and KXIP was special at that time for the fans, because of the presence of two limited over superstars, MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh playing each other. Unfortunately in some of the matches of the 2010 season, Dhoni couldn’t play because of his hand injury.
In this match against CSK, KXIP scored 130 runs batting first. CSK started the game strongly and in a position of 97 runs for 2 wickets in 12.5 overs. But they lost 6 wickets in the next 30 balls. Needing 10 runs in the final over, CSK batsman could only score 9 and the match was tied. Batting first in the super over, Chennai scored 10 runs ( thanks to Suresh Raina and his marvellous sixer). KXIP easily chased this target with Mahela Jayawardene scoring 6 runs and Yuvraj scoring the rest. This match is one of the most thrilling super overs in the IPL history.
2. SRH vs RCB (2013):
It was in the 2013 edition of IPL, one of the best super over in IPL history took place. Virat Kohli led the RCB and Sangakkara led the SRH. Batting first, SRH was limited to a comparatively lower score 130/8. Chasing this runs, RCB was at a point of 14 runs down in the 18th over. Hanuman Vihari played an amazing inning which looked like he was slowly taking RCB to a win. But the neat bowling spells from Murali Karthik and Vinay Kumar in the last two over finished the match in a tie. In the following super over, SRH scored a good total of 20 runs in one over. RCB chased this score with Chris Gayle's strong shots but unfortunately fell short of 7 runs from the target.
3. Mumbai Indians VS Gujarat Lions (2017):
It was the amazing bowling from Jasprit Bumrah that saved Mumbai Indians again in the death overs as well as the super over. Batting first Gujarat Lions managed to score a decent total of 153/9 in 20 overs. Mumbai Indians also played well minimizing the target to 15 runs from the last two overs. But the unexpected bowling performance of Basil Thampy taking two wickets in the 19th over and the crisp final over made the score resulting in a tie and further continuing the match.
In super over, batting at first Mumbai Indians scored 11 runs ( thanks to Kieron Pollard for his 10 runs contribution). Bumrah was back with his exceptional bowling performance in the super over giving Mumbai a victory of 5 runs.
4. Rajasthan Royals VS Kolkata Knight Riders (2009):
This was the first super over in the history of the Indian Premier League. The matches in this season were played in South Africa. So the first-ever IPL super over was held in Cape Town. Batting first Rajasthan Royals scored a decent total of 150/6. With the amazing knock from former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly ( 46 from 30 balls), Knight Riders tied the score. The match was extended to a super over.
The trump card that the Kolkata captain had in his team was Chris Gayle. Gayle with his tremendous shots made an overall total of 15 runs from 1 over. With the amazing knock from Yusuf Pathan ( 18 runs from 4 balls), RR crossed this score and won the first-ever IPL super over.
5. Rajasthan Royals VS Kolkata Knight Riders (2014):
RR and KKR again faced each other in a super over in 2014. This time the match was held at Abu Dhabi. Actually, this one of the most special kinds of super overs ever played. A tie in the tie. The main scores, as well as the first super over scores, were tied.
Like the match in 2009 RR scored a total of 152 runs and KKR matched this score. In the first super over also, the scores were tied. According to the IPL rules if the super over scores are also tied the number of boundaries will be considered to determine the winner. And if the number of boundaries is also the same the sixes will be considered. Here in this match, both teams hit one boundary each in the super over. But RR scored 18 boundaries in the 20 over a game where KKR only scored 14. This difference determined RR as the winners and this remains one of the most controversial super overs even today.
Also Read here about the players who tool Most Wickets in IPL history
