Highest successful run-chases in IPL history

Srihari

We will take a look at the highest successful run chases in IPL.One of the beauties of Twenty 20 cricket is that no target is too big or out of reach. With the right temperament and approach, teams have shown that any target can be chased down. Case in point was Kings XI Punjab making easy work of CSKs formidable total of 205. Where does that rank in the IPL?Well, here is the list of top five biggest run-chases in the league.

#5 KKR 200/4 | KXIP 204/2 in 18.2 overs - Kolkata, 2010

Before the pyrotechniques of Glenn Maxwell and David Miller, most Kings XI batsmen relied on solid technique, timing and temperament. After Chris Gayle's rocket-powered innings helped KKR to 200, Punjab were left with a mountain to climb. Mahela Jayawardene, though, showed that there is more to T20 than explosive hitting as he maneuvered his way to a well-deserved century and guided his side home.

Following a blistering start that saw Punjab race to 50 in the fifth over, Mahela and Kumar Sangakkara came to the crease and put together 98 in just 8.5 overs to place their side in the driving seat. By the time Yuvraj Singh came in, it was a mere formality, and his quick-fire 30 helped Punjab chased down the total with 8 wickets to spare.

#4 KXIP 203/3 | RCB 204/2 in 18.5 overs Bangalore, 2010

When Manvinder Bisla and Ravi Bopara racked up a century stand for the opening wicket and helped Punjab creep past 200 against a solid Bangalore bowling attack, it looked as though things were going according to plan. However, in the space of 20 overs, 3 very different innings helped Bangalore chase down the target with ease.

If Manish Pandey’s cameo of 38 gave RCB the impetus, Robin Uthappa’s swashbuckling 51 off just 21 balls helped seal the deal. Throughout it all was Jacques Kallis’ wonderfully paced innings that guided RCB the way. The South African timed his innings to perfection and guided his side home.

#3 CSK 205/4 | KXIP 206/4 in 18.5 overs - Abu Dhabi, 2014

When you are chasing a total of over 200, one would expect explosive hitting to be key to the victory. But Maxwell and Miller did it differently. In a game that was packed with powerful performances by the overseas players, the duo got Punjab home, when not many gave them a chance at 52/3.

If Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith blasted Chennai to 205, Maxwell and Miller’s 115-run stand comprised of some classic cricketing strokes coupled with an effective unorthodoxy that made a mockery of Chennai’s mammoth total. If it was reverse sweeps that propelled Maxwell to his career-best T20 score of 95, orthodox pull shots and on-drives helped Miller methodically bring the target closer and give Punjab their biggest run-chase in IPL history.

#2 RCB 205/8 | CSK 208/5 in 20 overs Chennai, 2012

In what was arguably the most exciting finish ever to an IPL match, Chennai Super Kings beat Royal Challengers Bangalore off the final ball. When RCB put on 205, not many gave Chennai a chance. With 43 runs to get off the last two overs, it looked all but over. Albie Morkel, however, came to the crease and unleashed the dogs of war on Virat Kohli, as he smashed 28 runs off the penultimate over to swing the tide in Chennai’s favor. Even then, the job wasn’t done, and it wasn’t until the final ball that Chennai had sealed the victory.

What seemed impossible barely a few minutes earlier was made so easy, thanks to some brutal hitting: first from Faf du Plessis at the start of the innings and then from another South African Albie Morkel, who, during his innings, also managed to hit the biggest six in IPL.

#1 Deccan Chargers 214/5 | Rajasthan 217/7 in 19.5 overs Hyderabad, 2008

So, who beats Chennai to record the highest successful run-chase? It is none other than the Rajasthan Royals, who did it in the inaugural edition of the IPL. When the usually miserly Rajasthan bowling attack gave away more than 200 runs, quite a few were surprised. However, with Yusuf Pathan in their ranks against a Hyderabad side in a sticky wicket at home, the game was still very much in the balance.

When you are chasing such a big total, the start is always crucial. Graeme Smith ensured that they got off to a flyer thanks to his 45-ball 71. And even when he got out, there was still plenty to do. Yusuf Pathan, however, came in and smashed 61 off just 28 balls, smoked the ball to all corners, hit 6 sixes and put the Royals in pole position to claim victory with a ball to go. Kings XI have already come close this season, but will anybody beat? Guess we’ll have to wait and watch.

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Edited by Staff Editor