Lowest Team Scores in IPL History (Without DL Method)

The Indian Premier League, or IPL, is a cricket tournament known for its fast-paced, high-scoring matches. However, amidst the fireworks of boundaries and sixes, there have been some surprisingly low scores throughout its history. Let’s take a look at some of the lowest team totals ever recorded in the IPL.

 

1. Royal Challengers Bangalore’s 49 vs Kolkata Knight Riders, 2017:

In a match that defied expectations, RCB faced off against KKR in 2017. Kolkata started strong thanks to Sunil Narine’s explosive batting making 34 runs from 17 balls, but RCB’s spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Pawan Negi fought back, sharing five wickets between them and limiting Kolkata to a modest total.

However, what followed was unexpected. RCB’s batting collapsed dramatically as the trio of Woakes, Coulter-Nile, and de Grandhomme took three wickets each while Yadav got one wicket. None of their players reached double digits. They were bowled out for just 49 runs, setting a record for the lowest score in IPL history. KKR won by 82 runs.

 

2. Rajasthan Royals’ 58 vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, 2009:

The defending champions, RR, suffered a humiliating defeat in the opening match of the 2009 season against RCB. Despite RCB posting a modest total of 133/8, with captain Kevin Pietersen scoring 32 runs off 30 balls and Rahul Dravid’s match-defining knock of 66 runs from 48 balls, Rajasthan’s batting line-up crumbled under pressure, scoring just 58 runs. Who would have guessed that the champions of 2008 would go down like this?

Anil Kumble’s sensational bowling performance, taking five wickets for just five runs, that too in 3.1 overs, with Praveen Kumar & Jesse Ryder, both of whom picked up two wickets, helped seal RCB’s victory!

 

3. Rajasthan Royals’ 59 vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, 2023:

In 2023, the Rajasthan Royals faced a similar fate against the RCB. Despite RCB setting a target of 172 runs with the help of Glenn Maxwell’s 54 and Faf du Plessis’s 55, Rajasthan’s batting lineup faltered, collapsing to just 59 runs within 10 overs. Only Shimron Hetmyer and Joe Root managed to reach double digits, highlighting the team’s struggle against RCB’s bowling attack.

 

4. Delhi Capitals’ 66 vs Mumbai Indians, 2017:

In 2017, Delhi Capitals went against Mumbai Indians, where their batting lineup failed to chase a formidable target. With a strong start by Mumbai’s Lendl Simmons (66) and Kieron Pollard (63), MI scored 212 runs. What followed was a disaster for Delhi. Their batting order crumbled, as only Karun Nair (21), Corey Anderson (10), and Pat Cummins (10), were able to stand, managing a small total of 66 runs. Harbhajan Singh and Karn Sharma’s stellar bowling performances led Mumbai to a dominant victory. Both Singh and Sharma took 3 wickets each while Malinga grabbed 2 wickets.

 

5. Delhi Capitals’ 67 vs Kings XI Punjab, 2017:

In another match from the troubled 2017 season, Delhi Capitals suffered a humiliating defeat against Kings XI Punjab. Sandeep Sharma’s exceptional bowling display where he picked up 4 wickets, backed by solid support from Axar Patel and Varun Aaron, who picked up 2 wickets each while Mohit Sharma and Glenn Maxwell picked up 1 wicket each, restricted Delhi to just 67 runs. Kings XI Punjab chased down the target with ease, securing a comprehensive victory by ten wickets.

 

These matches serve as stark reminders that in cricket, anything can happen, regardless of a team’s reputation or past performances. They showcase the unpredictable nature of the sport and the importance of consistency and resilience in the face of adversity.