IPL 2024: 3 instances when a team won a match with most balls to spare in IPL (100+ targets)

The 20-over format brought a new dimension to cricket. The T20 franchise cricket league serves as a platform for experimentation, mainly for batters. The Indian Premier League (IPL) is no exception in this regard and we witness the game evolving in every way as the years go by. The ongoing 2024 season has taken us to an epic batting spectacle with the bowlers enduring a hell of a time on the field.

There was a time when 150+ total was the winning score and 200+ totals were considered impossible to chase. However, this season has completely changed the scenario and teams are constantly breaching the 250-run mark. Match 57 of the 17th IPL edition between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) is an example of such a brutal batting display.

A few batting records were shattered on Wednesday (May 8), with SRH openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma putting up a scintillating show in Hyderabad. The duo combined to overcome the target of 166 runs in just 9.4 overs. Having said that, let's take a look at 3 instances when a team won a match with the most balls to spare in IPL (100+ targets).

Here are the three such instances in IPL history:

3. 48 balls - Deccan Chargers vs MI, Mumbai, 2008 (Target: 155)

Deccan Chargers won the toss and asked hosts Mumbai Indians (MI) to bat first in the 14th match of the inaugural IPL season. The MI top order crumbled but contributions from the middle and lower middle order batters helped them post a respectable score of 154/7 in 20 overs. RP Singh, Sanjay Bangar and Shahid Afridi picked up two wickets for the Chargers.

A scintillating ton by legendary Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist set the tone for a comfortable chase for the visitors. The southpaw slammed 109 off just 47 balls, including 9 fours and 10 sixes. Former India cricketer VVS Laxman, who remained unbeaten on 37 off 26 balls, was at the other end when DC chased down the target in just 12 overs without losing a wicket.

2. 57 balls - DC vs PBKS, Mumbai, 2022 (Target: 116)

In the 32^nd match of IPL 2022, Delhi Capitals won the toss and invited Punjab Kings to bat first at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. Punjab openers Shikhar Dhawan and Mayank Agarwal got off to a good start but the former’s wicket in the fourth over resulted in a batting collapse.

Khaleel Ahmed, Lalit Yadav, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav grabbed two wickets each to bundle out PBKS for a paltry total of 115 in 20 overs. Delhi chased down the target in just 10.3 overs with the loss of one wicket, thanks to blistering knocks from DC openers Prithvi Shaw (41 off 20) and David Warner (60 off 20).

1. 62 balls - SRH vs LSG, Hyderabad, 2024 (Target: 166)

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are the latest entrant to this elite list. A brilliant bowling performance from their bowlers restricted Lucknow Super Giants to 165/4 in 20 overs. The total was never looking threatening to a side who have made a habit of notching up 250+ scores constantly.

SRH openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma did not spare any LSG bowlers from their onslaught and hunted down the target in just 9.4 overs. The Aussie batter smashed 89 off just 30 balls, while the rising star of Indian cricket hit a 28-ball 75.