Indian Premier League or IPL is the professional Twenty20 cricket league played in India. In the T20 format of cricket in the first six overs, only two fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle. This mandatory period of six overs is known as a power play. The power play signifies the first six overs of the batting teams’ innings. In this article, the lowest powerplay scores in IPL history are discussed.
List of Top 5 Lowest Powerplay scores in IPL
5. Chennai Super Kings- 16/1 vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (IPL 2019)
This was the third time ever that Chennai scored at less than 3 runs per over in the Powerplay overs. This came against Royal Challengers Bangalore at Chepauk in 2019 in the first match of the season. CSK rolled over RCB for 70 runs in the first innings on a turning track. However, they also took their time to chase down the target. RCB tried their best to slow down the scoring rate by introducing Yuzvendra Chahal in the Powerplay, who took the wicket of Shane Watson. Chennai ended up chasing the target with 14 balls to spare.
4. Chennai Super Kings- 16/1 vs Delhi Daredevils (IPL 2015)
Chennai yet again made it to this list in 2015, as Delhi put up an excellent show with the ball at Raipur. Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum opened the batting for the men in yellow. Zaheer Khan and Shahbaz Nadeem bowled tight lines, putting them under pressure as CSK scored only 16 runs. Khan took the wicket of McCullum on the last ball of the powerplay. CSK could only get to 119, as Delhi won by 6 wickets.
3. Chennai Super Kings - 15/2 vs Kolkata Knight Riders (IPL 2011)
Chennai Super Kings have been the foremost reliable side within the history of the association. However, they are known to begin their innings a small conservatively in general. In Kolkata 2011, Brett Lee and Iqbal Abdullah tied down their scoring rate within the powerplay. Abdullah took the wicket of Murali Vijay, whereas Yusuf Pathan sent back Suresh Raina within the first 6 overs. CSK scored 15/2 at the end of the powerplay. CSK may only manage 114 runs within the 20 overs, as KKR won the rain-curtained match by 10 runs after scoring 61/2 in 10 overs [DLS Strategy].
2. Rajasthan Royals - 14/2 vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (IPL 2009)
Rajasthan Royals won the Indian Premier League in 2008, but they haven’t reproduced that feat ever since. The following year, in their match against Royal Challengers Bangalore, they confined them to a below-par total of 133/8. In reaction, Rajasthan battled to put bat to the ball within the Powerplay, scoring a measly 14 at the cost of two wickets. The top 3 of Graeme Smith, Swapnil Asnodkar, and Niraj Patel floundered wretchedly in that match. They would have fancied chasing down the target after the destitute show within the powerplay, but Anil Kumble’s brilliance (5/5) bundled them out for the then-most reduced total within the alliance- 58.
1. Sunrisers Hyderabad - 14/3 vs Rajasthan Royals (IPL 2019)
During the fifth match of the IPL 2022, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) scored the lowest powerplay score in the IPL history, 14/3, when they were chasing 211 runs target against Rajasthan Royals. In that powerplay, SRH batters managed only one four, while they spent 30 dot balls in the powerplay. Ultimately, SRH suffered a 61-run defeat after managing to score 149/7 in 20 overs.
Find out here Highest scores in Powerplay in IPL history
