When T20 cricket first debuted in 2003, a common question arose: what is an ideal score? People quickly discovered, though, that the query has several iterations. On certain courses, 200 runs would be impossible to defend in some situations, while 100 runs will often be defended.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a T20 tournament known for its big-hitting. It’s difficult to imagine that the IPL has produced such low scores in a country that produces professional batsmen on a regular basis. In reality, there have been 38 instances in which a team has failed to score 100 runs.
Kolkata Knight Riders finished the previous season of the IPL with a total of 84 for 8 in their 20 overs. That was the season’s lowest point count. The IPL, on the other hand, has had even lower ratings. Let’s take a look back at-
5. Kolkata Knight Riders 67 vs Mumbai Indians In 2008
The Kolkata Knight Riders don’t have many fond memories from their inaugural season. KKR had a season they would rather forget after Brendon McCullum scored 158 runs off 73 balls in the first match. The defeat at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is also one of the big reasons why this season has been a disappointment.
On a track that should have created a nice match to watch, Mumbai captain Sachin Tendulkar won the toss and elected to bowl first. KKR, on the other hand, lacked energy during their innings, losing wickets at frequent intervals. None of their batters seemed to be prepared to face Mumbai’s bowling attack.
The prime architects of KKR’s slump were Shaun Pollock (3 for 12) and Dwayne Bravo (2 for 13). They were bowled out for the season’s lowest total, 67. The chase took just 5.3 overs for Mumbai to reach the target. Sanath Jayasuriya was in fine form, scoring 48 runs off 17 deliveries.
4. Delhi Daredevils 67 vs Kings XI Punjab In 2017
The Delhi-based franchise had some particularly difficult seasons in the IPL between 2012 and 2019, when they were renamed and relaunched as Delhi Capitals. Most of those seasons was 2017, in which they yet again struggled to achieve any form of traction. Glenn Maxwell, the captain of Kings XI Punjab, won the toss and asked Delhi to bat on an evening in Mohali.
Sandeep Sharma, who has been a fantastic bowler to watch in the first six overs over the years, had one of his best days. As the Delhi batters failed to get off to a good start, he swung the ball beautifully. He only gave up 20 runs in four overs and took four critical wickets.
Punjab’s openers Hashim Amla and Martin Guptill ensured that the match outcome looked worse for Delhi by dismissing them for 68 runs. Punjab hit the target in 7.5 overs, giving them one of the biggest wins in the league. Guptill scored 50 runs off 27 deliveries, while Amla hung around him as Punjab reached the target in 7.5 overs.
3. Delhi Daredevils 66 vs Mumbai Indians In 2017
We had another total to look at when we said that 2017 was one of the seasons where Delhi just couldn’t keep their act together. This match took place about a week after they were defeated by Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). Zaheer Khan, the Delhi captain, batted first for the Mumbai Indians.
When Delhi batted, Lendl Simmons and his West Indian colleague Kieron Pollard made sure they were chasing a big number. Simmons batted first and scored 66 runs off 43 balls, while Pollard batted third and scored 63 runs off 35 balls. Mumbai reached 212 for 3 thanks to Hardik Pandya’s cameo of 29 runs in 14 balls.
In their attempt to chase down a large number, Delhi lost early wickets and never looked in command of the chase. It started with a 6 for 2, then a 20 for 3, then a 35 for 5, then a 46 for 7, and finally a 66 for 7. In less than a week, the same team, with mostly the same players, was bowled for less than 70 runs twice. Harbhajan Singh and Karn Sharma starred with the ball for Mumbai, each taking three wickets.
2. Rajasthan Royals 58 vs Royal Challengers Bangalore In 2009
It is very unlikely for an IPL team to have two successful seasons in a row. However, after winning the inaugural season in 2008, the Rajasthan Royals began the 2009 season in an unusual manner. Rajasthan took on Royal Challengers Bangalore, who had finished seventh in 2008, on the first day of the tournament, which was scheduled to feature two matches.
RCB didn’t put up a big average when they batted first. Kevin Pietersen, their current captain, scored 32 runs off 30 balls, while Rahul Dravid, their former captain, scored 66 runs off 48 balls to win the match. The Bangalore team could only manage 133 for 8 in their 20 overs, with no other batter reaching double figures.
What happened next, on the other hand, was completely unexpected. The 2008 winners, Rajasthan Royals, were bowled out for just 58 runs, the lowest ever total in the league. They had the record until 2017. Anil Kumble bowled a memorable spell of 5 for 5 in 3.1 overs, and he was well supported by Praveen Kumar and part-timer Jesse Ryder, who both took two wickets.
1. Royal Challengers Bangalore’s 49 vs Kolkata Knight Riders In 2017
There have been several bizarre cricket matches, including the 2017 match between RCB and KKR at Eden Gardens. Sunil Narine began the match by dismantling his countryman Samuel Badree. Narine scored 34 runs in 17 bats, laying the groundwork for the Knight Riders. RCB spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Pawan Negi, on the other hand, shared five wickets between them to keep the hosts at bay.
KKR is bowled out for 131 runs after being reduced to 65 for 1 after 5.3 overs. Gautam Gambhir, the captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders, went in with his pace attack to protect a low score and set attacking fields. In T20 cricket, what followed was a show of world-class fast bowling. Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris Woakes, Umesh Yadav, and Colin de Grandhomme were part of the attack.
RCB was not charged with anything as a result of what they went through. Woakes, Coulter-Nile, and de Grandhomme each took three wickets, while Yadav only took one. In a dismal display, none of the RCB batsmen managed a double-digit score and they were bowled out for just 49 runs. Surprisingly, RCB also holds the record for both the highest and lowest ever IPL ranking.