Same time, in a different year India would have been celebrating it’s most loved cricketing festival, the Indian Premier League. IPL ever since its induction in 2008 has been home to many delightful memories, nerve-wracking encounters and extraordinary stats. In an ICN360 series where we look back at those interesting stats from years gone by, here is a look at the five lowest totals ever.
All-Time Lowest Totals:
1) RCB’s worst nightmare:
Chasing a modest 132 on the Eden Gardens wicket should have been a relatively easy task. However, the pins of Royal Challengers Bangalore’s batting lineup fell apart right from the start. The openers and all the big names were sent home early. The middle and the lower middle order too followed suit and RCB were all out for a mere 49. Kedar Jadhav top-scored the innings with 9 runs as no batsman managed to reach the double-figure mark. Interestingly enough, all four KKR bowlers (Umesh Yadav, Chris Woakes, Colin DeGrandhomme, Nathan Coulter-Nile) that did the deeds, were all brought by the Bangalore franchise in the subsequent 2018 auction.
2) Rajasthan hit low in South Africa:
Going into the 2009 edition as the defending champions, Rajasthan Royals carried a lot of expectations. Held in South Africa, the tournament however saw Anil Kumble’s pull off one of IPL’s finest bowling performances. Only in the second match of the season at Cape Town, RCB set Rajasthan a target of 134 in their 20 overs. The chase though, was done and dusted even before it began. Courtesy Anil Kumble’s miracle (3.1-5-5), Royals bundled up for 58, a record lowest total that was held up for almost 8 years. Wouldn’t be unfair to say, it was one of the rarest of seasons where an RCB bowling attack did wonders.
3) Delhi suffered a heavy defeat:
The Delhi Daredevils as they were called in 2017, suffered one of IPL’s heaviest defeats at home. In pursuit of a mammoth 212 by the Mumbai Indians, Delhi ought to have a great start. However, opener Sanju Samson was dismissed first ball and the domino fall initiated. No batsman managed to get his eye in and settle against Mumbai’s impeccable bowling attack. The spin twins, Harbhajan Singh and Karn Sharma spun a web around Delhi’s middle order taking 3 wickets each. As a result, Delhi could only manage to score 66, third on IPL’s lowest totals ever.
4) Delhi made it two in a season:
Exactly 6 days before bundling up for 66, Delhi had managed to collapse for a dismal 67 against the Kings XI Punjab. Put in to bat by the hosts, Delhi batsman found it difficult to tackle the swing and discipline of Sandeep Sharma. The young pacer got through Delhi’s top order, thus widely exposing their feeble middle order. No batsman managed to get a start as Corey Anderson remained the top scorer with 18 runs. Punjab easily chased the target in just 7.2 overs, thereby making Delhi step down in the points table. It was only 2 years later, when Delhi changed their name to Delhi Capitals that their fortune took a pleasant turn.
5) KKR’s dismal performance:
The Kolkata Knight Riders tasted a humiliating loss, only a few weeks after their blast in the IPL opener. Losing three crucial wickets in the powerplay, the Ganguly-led team could never recover from the setback. Mumbai’s impressive and attacking bowling never allowed KKR batsman to break free. The hosts dismissed KKR for 67 in just a little more than 15 overs. It is the fourth joint score in IPL’s all time list of lowest team totals. Shaun Pollock, who took 3 for 12 in his quota of 4 overs walked away as the Man of the Match as the hosts pocketed the match with ease, extending their winning streak to six in as many matches.
