Indian Premier League (IPL), a domestic T20 tournament of India, is the number 1 T20 league in the world. It took birth in the year 2008 and since then it has gained great popularity among cricket lovers around the world. The shortest version of the game is all about runs and the team who have power hitters have more chances to win regardless if they bat first or chase. Due to the supremacy of the batters, the fans have seen the fastest run chase many times in IPL. Furthermore, when the net run rate becomes more important to qualify for a playoff, a team wants to finish the game as soon as possible.
Fastest Run Chase in IPL T20
Let’s check out some of the quickest chase in the IPL.
Mumbai Indians are at the number 1 position for the fastest chase in IPL History when they fought against Kolkata Knight Riders in the first season of IPL in 2008. It was the 38th match of IPL 2008, Shaun Pollock, the captain of MI, decided to field first after winning the toss and demolished the KKR at a total of 67 runs only in 15.2 overs. Shaun Pollock took 3 wickets, Dwayne Bravo, Rohan Raje, and Dominic Thornely took 2 wickets each. With the incredible performance of Sanath Jayasuriya with the bat, they achieved the target in just 5.2 overs. Sanath Jayasuriya played a rocking inning of unbeaten 48 runs from just 17 balls.
As of November 2021, Kochi Tuskers Kerala (KTK) is at the number 2nd position for the fastest run chase in IPL against Rajasthan Royals at Indore on May 15, 2011. In the 61st match of IPL 2011, Rajasthan Royals were demolished at the score of 97 only in 18.3 overs while batting first due to the superb bowling performance of Brad Hodge who took 4 wickets. While chasing, Brad Hodge showed his supremacy with the bat also and added unbeaten 33 runs off 17 balls only that helped KTK to achieve the target in just 7.2 overs.
Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals (7.5 Overs)
Punjab Kings, formerly known as Kings XI Punjab, is at the number 3rd position for the fastest run chase in IPL against Delhi Capitals (Previously named Delhi Daredevils) at Mohali on Apr 30, 2017. It was the 36th match of IPL 2017 when Punjab invited Delhi to bat first after winning the toss and the entire Delhi team collapsed at the score of 67 runs in 17.1 overs. Sandeep Sharma showed his excellence with the ball and took 4 wickets. The target was very easily achieved in 7.5 overs thanks to Martin Guptill’s unbeaten innings of 50 runs off 27 balls only.
Royal Challengers Bangalore is at the number 4th position for the fastest chase in IPL against Punjab Kings (Formerly Kings XI Punjab) at Indore, May 14, 2018. It was the 48th match of IPL 2018, Punjab Kings could put a total of 88 runs on the scoreboard during batting first. Only KL Rahul and Aaron Finch could cross 20 and the entire squad of Punjab collapsed in front of Bangalore’s bowlers, especially Umesh Yadav who took 3 wickets in the match. The target was easily achieved by RCB in 8.1 overs without losing any wicket.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) is at the number 5th position for the fastest chase in IPL against Royal Challengers Bangalore at Abu Dhabi, Sep 20, 2021. In the 31st match of IPL 2021, RCB went to bat first after winning the toss and could make only 92 runs in 19 overs. No batsmen except Devdutt Padikkal could cross 20 runs and the entire squad surrendered in front of KKR bowlers especially Varun Chakravarthy and Andre Russell, both of them took 3 wickets. While chasing, Shubman Gill and Venkatesh Iyer played aggressively and achieved the target in just 10 overs.