The Indian Premier League or the IPL is probably one of the most celebrated domestic tournaments in India. The magnanimous event has fans all around the globe who eagerly wait for the tournament to start every year. The hopes of fans that their state’s team will clinch the prestigious title are kept alive by players of the respective teams. Moreover, the onset of IPL every year also allows fans to indulge in fantasy cricket. It offers interested individuals an opportunity to know how to play fantasy cricket and create their own teams.
Since its first edition, the tournament has provided fans with tons of memorable matches and moments. With the latest season of the tournament going on, here are some of the most iconic matches played throughout the history of the IPL:
● Mumbai Indians vs. Kolkata Knight Riders – 22nd April (IPL – 2011)
According to CrickTracker, Mumbai Indians is the IPL team with the best winning percentage throughout all editions of IPL. How did they achieve this feat? They are one of the few teams that can snatch away a victory even when they are on the verge of losing. The 70th match in 2011’s IPL is a prime example of that. Mumbai needed 40 runs to win the match and had only 15 balls in hand. The match progressed, and the last over came. Mumbai required 21 runs to win. Lakshmipathy Balaji was the bowler who was given the task to finish the match and win it for KKR. However, the New Zealand player hit four consecutive boundaries and took a single to give the strike to Ambati Rayudu. He finished it in style by hitting the ball over the boundaries. Even after putting up a massive target of 176 runs, KKR could not defend it. Mumbai Indians outplayed KKR and registered an iconic win for themselves.
● Kings XI Punjab vs. Chennai Super Kings – 18th April (IPL – 2010)
Mahendra Singh Dhoni is known for finishing matches, and this particular match-up against KXIP reaffirmed our faith in his “Finisher” title. Kings XI Punjab set up a solid target of 193 for CSK to chase. An early blow came for the Super Kings when they lost two players after just scoring 27 runs early in the game. The match progressed and got so close that CSK required 16 runs in the final over to win and qualify for the semis. The bowler on the other end was Irfan Pathan, who is known for his fast and agile deliveries. It took four deliveries for the former Indian team skipper to close the match for CSK. He smashed four boundaries and booked his team’s place in the semi-finals.
● Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Royal Challengers Bangalore – 18th April (IPL – 2008)
One cannot miss the first match of IPL when talking about the most iconic matches in IPL history. Everyone was talking about how this tournament would change the game forever, but very few had an idea that the very first match would become so memorable. Brendon McCullum, who is now KKR’s coach, obliterated the side of RCB by scoring 158 runs by playing only 73 balls. His innings included 13 sixes and 10 fours. The match is even more iconic because the New Zealand opener broke a longtime world record held by Cameron White. KKR set a massive target of 223 for RCB to chase. RCB could not come close to chasing the target, as they went all out after scoring only 82 runs in 15 overs and one ball.
● Royal Challengers Bangalore vs. Sunrisers Hyderabad – 29th May (IPL – 2016)
The 2016 IPL final between RCB and SRH remains one of the most iconic final matches in the tournament’s history. The emotions of fans of both sides were immensely high because they wanted to celebrate their team’s victory that night. Sunrisers Hyderabad began the match by batting first, and their skipper David Warner’s sensational score of 69 runs off 38 balls gave them a significant head start. Even Yuvraj Singh and Ben Cutting contributed to the scoreboard, and the side of SRH set up a massive total of 209 runs. Royal Challengers Bangalore left no stone unturned as the openers Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle established a strong partnership and scored 114 runs in only 10.3 overs. It was going very well for the side of RCB until Ben Cutting took the wicket of Chris Gayle. All went downhill for Bangalore from there as everyone started getting out. The end was tragic for RCB because they were 8 runs short of clinching their first-ever IPL trophy. SRH won the title after putting up a brilliant display of the game.
● Delhi Capitals vs. Kings XI Punjab – 20th September (IPL – 2020)
The second match of the 2020 season of IPL registered itself as an iconic one in the history books because fans witnessed a super-over after a thrilling second innings. Delhi Capitals managed to put up a respectable target of 158 runs on the scoreboard. However, the young and talented player Mayank Agarwal from Punjab’s side scored 69 runs to give his side another fighting chance by tying the score. The super overcame, and Kagiso Rabada, the South African pacer playing for Delhi Capital, demolished the hopes of Punjab by letting them set a small target of only three runs. Mohammed Shami tried his best to contain the damage, but sadly, all it took Rishabh Pant was the over’s second ball to clinch the victory for his team.
IPL has become an important stage for youngsters to showcase their talent on the field. Several newcomers play in the renowned league every year and leave their mark by performing exceptionally. Let’s see what winders the upcoming matches of the Indian Premier League have in store for the fans.
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