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IPL 2026 is set to begin in Bengaluru on Saturday, March 28, where defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad will face off.

The IPL has presented many thrilling matches in its past 18 seasons, but there are also some matches that become legendary due to the excitement of the game or the individual skill.

From Ravindra Jadeja's 10 runs off the last two balls in the CSK vs GT final of IPL 2023 to Rinku Singh's record-breaking five sixes against Yash Dayal, here is a list of some of the matches that remain etched in the minds of fans despite the time gap.

10. PBKS vs MI (IPL 2020, Match 36)

The 36th match of IPL 2020 was played between Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab), which produced one of the most remarkable finishes in IPL history — the only double Super Over in the tournament's history.

Both teams were tied at 176 after 20 overs, with KL Rahul's 77 being the mainstay of Punjab's chase and Jasprit Bumrah's brilliant bowling keeping Mumbai in the match. The first Super Over also saw the two teams unable to separate as both teams scored five runs each, taking the game to a new and unfamiliar level.

What happened next was pure drama. Mumbai managed to score 11 runs in the second Super Over, but Punjab held their nerve and chased down that run with just four balls to secure a historic win.

9. RCB vs KKR (IPL 2008, Match 1)

The first match of the IPL was the night that changed the course of world cricket forever. When RCB won the toss and put KKR in to bat, Brendon McCullum stepped in and played an innings that defied all logic at the time. He scored an unbeaten 158 off just 73 balls. His 13 sixes lit up the Chinnaswamy Stadium and helped KKR post a mammoth 222, while a stunned RCB were bowled out for just 82.

This match is historic because it served as a perfect advertisement for the league; McCullum's explosive innings proved that the IPL is not just a tournament, but a global event that will prioritize entertainment and intense aggression.

8. CSK vs MI (IPL 2018, Match 1)

Chennai Super Kings made an emotional comeback against arch-rivals Mumbai Indians in the opening match of the 2018 IPL season after serving a two-year ban. Chasing a target of 166, CSK faced a potential disastrous comeback as they were bowled out for 118 for 8.

Dwayne Bravo kept the team going with a brilliant 68 off 30 balls, but when he was dismissed in the 19th over, CSK needed just one wicket and seven runs to win. Kedar Jadhav, who had to leave the field with a torn hamstring, returned to the field and although he could not run, he scooped Mustafizur Rahman for a six and then another four to seal a miraculous victory.

7. GT vs KKR (IPL 2023, Match 13)

In the 13th match of IPL 2023, Gujarat Titans posted a strong score of 204 for 4 and it seemed like the match was in their hands, when a magnificent hat-trick from Rashid Khan in the second innings dashed KKR's hopes.

As the game entered the final over, KKR needed an impossible target of 28 runs off the last five balls, and the momentum was completely against them. What happened next was perhaps the most miraculous individual feat in IPL history, when Rinku Singh launched an unstoppable attack on Yash Dayal and snatched victory from the face of certain defeat by hitting five consecutive sixes.

As Rinku became an overnight superstar, the fans from the KKR dugout rushed onto the field in disbelief, and that "five balls, five sixes" finish became an integral part of cricket history.

6. PBKS vs RR (IPL 2021, Match 32)

This match was an extreme example of a team collapsing under pressure and should serve as a warning to any team that was going for an easy win. After being set a target of 186 by Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings seemed to be in complete control, with openers KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal putting on a 120-run stand.

Coming into the last over, Punjab needed just 4 runs to win and had 8 wickets in hand, in a situation where the chances of winning were almost 100%. However, young Kartik Tyagi delivered the best over of his life, using perfect yorkers and wide deliveries to take 2 crucial wickets for just 1 run.

Punjab faltered under pressure and failed to snatch victory, leading to Rajasthan winning by an incredible 2-run margin.

For more historic stats and milestones, check out our complete cricket records section

5. RCB vs PWI (IPL 2013, Match 31)

In one of the most memorable matches of the 2013 tournament, Pune Warriors won the toss and elected to bowl against RCB, a decision that resulted in one of the most one-sided matches in the history of the sport.

RCB opener Chris Gayle came on the attack from the very first over and smashed the fastest century in T20 history off just 30 balls. He ended up scoring an unbeaten 175 off 66 balls, which included an incredible 17 sixes. His dominance took RCB to a team score of 263 for 5, leaving the Pune bowlers completely helpless. In reply, the Warriors had no chance against the pressure of the target and ended up at 133 for 9 at the end of 20 overs. The match is historic as Gayle's individual score is the highest in the history of T20 cricket. It represents a day when the indomitable power of one man completely redefined all the boundaries of the game.

4. RR vs MI (IPL 2014, Match 56)

The 2014 IPL group stage match between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Mumbai Indians (MI) was not just a cricket match; it was a high-stakes mathematical thriller that kept fans on edge until the very end.

Rajasthan Royals batted first and set a tough target of 190, but the real drama was in the play-offs: Mumbai Indians had to chase down the target in just 14.3 overs to top RR on net run rate and enter the playoffs. Corey Anderson played a brilliant innings of 95 not out, but when the score was level after 14.3 overs, many thought Mumbai had missed their chance.

However, a quick calculation showed that hitting a boundary off the very next ball would increase their net run rate even further. Under immense pressure, Aditya Tare came on and hit James Faulkner for a six off the first ball to give MI the win and secure a play-off spot.

3. KKR vs PBKS (IPL 2025, Match 31)

In a poetic reversal of the high-scoring encounter of a year ago, the match turned into a stunning display of defensive bowling and tactical pressure. Batting first, Punjab Kings were completely cornered by KKR's spin duo and were eventually bowled out for just 111 on a pitch that showed significant turn.

KKR started the chase with confidence and it looked like the match would be over soon, but the game turned around with the arrival of Yuzvendra Chahal. He took 4 wickets for 28 runs in the spin net. A huge collapse panicked KKR's middle order and they were all out for just 95 runs from a position of complete control.

2. KKR vs PBKS (IPL 2024, Match 42)

One of the most incredible run chases in IPL history took place in this match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings.

KKR won the toss and elected to bat first and took full advantage of the batting-friendly pitch. Their top order was devastating and they put up a massive score of 261 for 6 in 20 overs thanks to explosive contributions.

In reply, Punjab Kings took to the field with a fearless attitude. Despite the huge target, they were aggressive from the start. Jonny Bairstow led the team with a brilliant century, and Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh gave him important support.

Punjab chased down the target in just 18.4 overs, completing one of the highest successful run chases in the history of the tournament.

1. CSK vs MI (IPL 2019 final)

Let's move on to another iconic final in the tournament's history, the 2019 IPL final between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians. It was one of the most competitive matches played in the history of the competition.

Mumbai Indians won the toss and elected to bat first. However, they struggled to maintain the run rate throughout the innings. Kieron Pollard played a crucial knock of 41 runs off 25 balls to keep the team going, as Mumbai Indians managed to post a modest score of 149 for 8 in 20 overs.

In reply, CSK started steadily, courtesy of Faf du Plessis. Then Shane Watson, battling through injury, played a heroic innings of 80 runs off 59 balls and almost single-handedly took CSK to the brink of victory.

The match went down to the last ball, with CSK needing 2 runs to win. Lasith Malinga dismissed Shardul Thakur with a perfect slower yorker to secure a dramatic 1-run win for Mumbai Indians.

Source:- cricbuzz

FAQs

Which is the only double Super Over match in IPL history?

PBKS vs MI (IPL 2020).

Who played a historic innings of 158 runs in the opening match of IPL?

Brendon McCullum.

Who has the feat of winning a match by hitting five sixes in five balls?

Rinku Singh.

Who won the last ball of the IPL 2019 final?

Lasith Malinga.

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