5 worst performances in IPL history

The Indian Premier League, over the course of its 10 editions, has witnessed many moments of breathtaking brilliance from local players as well as foreign recruits. While these have been plentiful, there have also been some shocking performances to balance out the act and here in this article, we look at the worst of the worst - the five worst IPL performances till date.

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#5 Dwayne Smith

One of CSK's four defeats in IPL finals came in 2013 against the Mumbai Indians. After a stellar showing in the group stages where they topped the charts, CSK were heavy favorites entering the final but after winning the toss and opting to field, they allowed the Mumbai juggernaut to amass 202.

With the firepower at their disposal, they were still in the game, but they needed their top order to get them off to a strong start. After Michael Hussey's early dismissal, the onus was on Dwayne Smith but he just never got going.

Scoring at a run-a-ball when the rate was up at 12-13, Smith contributed to his team's downfall, ending with 57 off 48 balls, leaving the tail with too much to do.

#4 Ashoke Dinda vs Mumbai Indians, 2013

Ashoke

Dinda

Dinda should have considered it a sign of things to come when he delivered a wide off the first ball of the innings. The night would only get worse for him as he followed up the wide with four absolute lollipops to the greatest batsman of all time, Sachin Tendulkar, who gleefully accepted the gifts and struck four consecutive boundaries.

If Dinda thought that was going to be it, he had another thing coming. He was, surprisingly, handed the ball at the fag end of the innings where he was carted around by Rohit Sharma for four sixes to end with figures of 4-0-63-0.

#3 Ishant Sharma vs CSK, 2013

Ishant Sharma

Ishant Sharma is the proud owner of the worst figures in IPL history, having conceded 66 runs in 4 overs in a game against Chennai Super Kings way back in 2013. What makes his spell all the more dreadful is the fact that his pace bowling partner, Dale Steyn, had given away just 17 runs from his full quota of overs.

Murali Vijay took a liking to Ishant's bowling early on and tore into him, striking three sixes in his second over. While he bowled a fairly decent third over, his final over was taken for 25 runs by Suresh Raina, who smashed 4 fours and a six to cap a horrific night for the bowler.

#2 Steve Smith vs Mumbai Indians, 2017 IPL final

Steve Smith

Steve Smith took over the reins at Pune, replacing MS Dhoni for the 2017 edition. He led his troops brilliantly, helping them make the final where they were to square off against a team they had beaten thrice already, Mumbai Indians.

The Supergiant looked set for their fourth straight win over the Rohit Sharma led side when they restricted Mumbai to just 129. They looked in complete control in the chase, positioned at 70-1 at one stage with a required rate a shade over 7. Having set a stable platform, the stage was set for Smith to take control of proceedings and lead his side to the title. However, with wickets tumbling, he went into his shell, content with nudging the ones and twos.

With 11 required off the final over, he struck one straight to cover to be dismissed for 51 off 50. Pune ended up losing the match by 1 run in heartbreaking fashion.

#1 Shane Watson vs SRH, 2016 final

Shane Watson

The 2016 IPL final between RCB and SRH will mainly be remembered for Kohli's side choking from a comfortable position in the run chase and falling agonisingly short yet again. However, what is often forgotten (but should not be) is Shane Watson's dastardly spell of bowling which put RCB in such a position in the first place.

Watson delivered four horrific overs, conceding 61 runs and going wicketless. Having been taken to the cleaners initially by Dhawan and Warner, the Aussie was tasked with bowling at the death and fared even worse, offering up some juicy half volleys to Ben Cutting who gleefully tonked them over the ropes.

Watson's 61 were the most runs ever conceded by a bowler in an IPL final and his spell probably cost RCB the match.