IPL: Best nineties in history

Centuries are considered to be the primary milestone of success for a batsman. It's no wonder that the term 'nervous nineties' was formed, which refers to the nervousness a batsman feels when he has scored more than 90 runs in an innings, because of the pressure and desire to convert this into a prestigious century.

Centuries are hard to come by in the shortest format of the game. In its 10 year history, the IPL has witnessed just 47 centuries. There have been almost as many scores in the nervous nineties as well. This is not just because of the pressure factor, but also because of batsman being stranded in the nineties owing to shortage of deliveries.

The centuries are remembered and celebrated while the nineties are many a times forgotten. However, there have been some nineties knocks that were as good as centuries. Let us take a look at some of them:

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#5 David Warner (93* vs Gujarat Lions, 2016)

David Warner leads the Sunrisers from the front

This list would be incomplete without David Warner as the destructive southpaw has been stranded/dismissed in the 90s a record five times. The run-machine has time and again proven to be a match-winner and he did so in spectacular fashion in the crucial second qualifier in 2016.

Though Virat Kohli stole the show in 2016 amassing over 900 runs, Warner wasn't far behind with 848 runs, which happens to be the second-highest runs scored in a single season in the history of the IPL. In the game, which would send the winners to the final, the Sunrisers were up against table toppers Gujarat. The Gujarat Lions put up a target of 163 for the Sunrisers to chase.

The Sunrisers were able to pull through, thanks to a one-man effort by captain Warner. Until Bipul Sharma at number 8, none of the first 7 batsmen could rack up more than 11 runs apart from Warner. In an incredibly tense chase, Warner notched up 93 runs in 58 balls to single-handedly win the game for the Sunrisers and take them through to the final which they eventually won.

#4 Rishabh Pant (97 vs Gujarat Lions, 2017)

Rishabh Pant is one of India's most promising youngsters

In the 42nd match of IPL 2017, the Gujarat Lions went up against the Delhi Daredevils. To keep their hopes of making the playoffs alive, the Lions had to win this game. They would have been confident after the first innings wherein they put up 208 runs on the board. The Delhi Daredevils would have to pull off the second-highest run chase in the history of the IPL in order to win the game.

Delhi Daredevils absolutely aced the chase, led by a sensational stand by promising youngsters Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson. Rishabh Pant showed the world exactly what he was capable of, as he smashed 9 sixes and 6 fours en route his knock of 97 in 43 balls. Pant unfortunately got dismissed just three runs short of what would have been his maiden IPL century. Pant was clearly distraught at having missed out by such a small margin. Suresh Raina's gesture of running up to Pant and consoling him after the dismissal was one of the IPL's most heartwarming moments.

#3 Manish Pandey (94 vs Kings XI Punjab, 2014)

Manish Pandey has consistently performed in the IPL over the years

Chasing in an IPL final is tricky because of the nerves involved. Captains winning the toss generally opt to bat first in a final. In the 2014 final, the in-form Kings XI batted first and put up an intimidating target of 200 ,thanks to a special century from Wriddhiman Saha. Chasing a target of 200 is difficult under any scenario. Doing it in the final is especially harder. The Kings XI Punjab would have been confident of winning their first ever title in the innings break.

The second innings didn't start particularly well for the Knight Riders as orange cap winner Robin Uthappa was dismissed in the very first over. This sent Manish Pandey to the crease and the rest is history. Pandey's 94 off 50 balls pulled off the highest successful chase in any Twenty20 final. Pandey ensured that at no stage during the chase of the daunting target did Knight Riders fall far behind the asking rate, which was 10 per over at the start. What made the innings more special for him was that he did it at his home ground, the Chinnaswamy.

Unfortunately he did not get to see the chase through. He perished in the 17th over to Karanveer Singh, falling six runs short of a century. However, he had done his job as the Knight Riders went on to win the title comfortably.

#2 Murali Vijay (95 vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, 2011)

Murali Vijay helped the Super Kings win their second IPL title

The Chennai Super Kings reached the final in the inaugural IPL session, and made it to the semi-finals in the following season too. The Chennai Super Kings finally won the elusive title in the third season to establish their dominance in the IPL.

They played their third final in four years in the 2011 edition, wherein they locked horns with the Royal Challengers Bangalore. The Chennai Super Kings won their second title in style and with dominance, thanks to a special knock by Murali Vijay.

Opting to bat first, Murali Vijay and 'Mr. Cricket' Michael Hussey put on an incredible opening partnership of 159 runs in just 14.5 overs. Murali Vijay smashed 95 runs of just 52 deliveries, hitting four fours and six sixes in the process. He unfortunately got out in the nineteenth over and couldn't get to a deserved century. Nevertheless, an innings of such caliber in an IPL final is one to remember!

#1 Corey Anderson (95* vs Rajasthan Royals, 2014)

Corey Anderson miraculously helped the Mumbai Indians reach the playoffs in 2014

The defending champions, the Mumbai Indians, had a herculean task lined up for them in the last league game of IPL 2014. They faced the Rajasthan Royals in a virtual quarterfinal, although the tips were scaled massively in Rajasthan's favor owing to their superior net run rate.

The Mumbai Indians, who won the toss and opted to field, had to chase over Rajasthan's target in 14.3 overs. Sublime batting by youngsters Sanju Samson and Karun Nair saw the Rajasthan Royals post a target of 190.

Getting 190 in 14.3 overs was an improbable ask, and the Rajasthan Royals would have been extremely confident of making the playoffs. The Mumbai Indians had other ideas.

The convoluted drama at the end of it all made it a match impossible to forget. When the scores were tied after 14.3 overs, it looked like the Rajasthan Royals had survived a mighty scare. However, after a lot of confusion and discussion, it was understood that the Mumbai Indians could still go through if they could hit a boundary off the next ball. Aditya Tare deposited a generous full toss by Faulkner out of the park to miraculously take the Mumbai Indians through to the semi final.

The man of the match deservedly went to Corey Anderson, who after flopping all season, produced one of IPL's greatest knocks. He hit 95 of just 44 balls, smashing 9 fours and 6 sixes in the process. He smashed the ball all over the park and gave the Royals a night to forget.