In the Indian Premier League, high-pressure knockout matches serve as the ultimate test of a player's true mettle. When the stakes are at their highest, reputation and fame count for nothing; beneath the dazzling floodlights of the stadium, even the most formidable batting lineups can completely crumble under the pressure.
This harsh reality came crashing down upon the Punjab Kings like a freight train when they faced the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the pivotal 'Qualifier 1' clash held in Mullanpur. Instead of securing a direct and effortless berth in the 'Grand Finale,' the entire PBKS machinery suffered a catastrophic breakdown, and they were bundled out for a mere 101 runs. To make matters worse, they did not merely lose the match; by lasting only 14.1 overs, they etched their name into history—claiming the official record for the shortest completed innings in the history of the IPL playoffs.
5 Lowest Team Totals in IPL Playoffs
| Team | Score | Opponent | Playoff Match | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deccan Chargers | 82/10 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 3rd-Place Playoff | 2010 |
| Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) | 87/10 | Rajasthan Royals | Semi-Final 1 | 2008 |
| Punjab Kings | 101/10 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | Qualifier 1 | 2025 |
| Lucknow Super Giants | 101/10 | Mumbai Indians | Eliminator | 2023 |
| Deccan Chargers | 104/10 | Chennai Super Kings | Semi-Final 2 | 2010 |
1. Deccan Chargers — 82 All Out vs RCB (2010)
The record for the lowest score in the history of the IPL playoffs is held by the now-defunct team, the Deccan Chargers. In this crucial third-place playoff match played with the objective of qualifying for the Champions League T20 the Chargers' star-studded batting lineup suffered a complete collapse. India's legendary leg-spinner, Anil Kumble, completely outfoxed the Deccan batsmen, recording magnificent figures of 4/16. The Chargers were bundled out for a mere 82 runs in 18.3 overs—a target that RCB chased down with ease within 14 overs.
2. Delhi Daredevils — 87 All Out vs. Rajasthan Royals (2008)
In the very first playoff match of the inaugural IPL season, the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) succumbed to the immense pressure of the knockout stage. Chasing a formidable target of 193 runs set by Shane Warne's Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium, Delhi's top order collapsed completely. Sohail Tanvir spearheaded the bowling attack with a magnificent spell of 3/10, while Shane Watson and Warne effectively stifled the middle order. The entire Delhi team was bundled out for a mere 87 runs—with Gautam Gambhir and Tillakaratne Dilshan being the only two players to reach double figures—and with this victory, RR secured their spot in the historic inaugural final.
3. Lucknow Super Giants — 101 All Out vs Mumbai Indians (2023)
During the 2023 Eliminator match in Chennai, the Lucknow Super Giants' batting order completely crumbled. While chasing a formidable target of 183 runs against the Mumbai Indians, LSG completely lost their composure midway through the innings. Although Marcus Stoinis initially showed some resistance with a gritty knock of 40 runs, Akash Madhwal's lethal bowling spell (5/5 in 3.3 overs combined with three comical run-outs resulting from their own errors caused the Lucknow team to collapse entirely from a score of 68/3, ultimately getting bowled out for a mere 101 runs.
4. Punjab Kings — 101 All Out vs RCB (2025)
The 2025 season has witnessed yet another major setback. Punjab Kings, entering Qualifier 1 with high hopes of securing a direct berth in the Grand Finale, completely crumbled in Mullanpur against the formidable bowling attack of Royal Challengers Bengaluru. After a brisk start, the Punjab batsmen played highly reckless shots in the face of a potent combination of pace and spin bowling. Josh Hazlewood (3/21) and Suyash Sharma (3/12) completely dismantled the Punjab batting lineup, bundling PBKS out for a mere 101 runs in just 14.1 overs—marking one of the quickest collapses in the history of knockout matches.
5. Deccan Chargers — 104 All Out vs CSK (2010)
The 2010 playoff stage proved to be quite a challenging phase for the defending champions, the Deccan Chargers. Just days before suffering a crushing 82-run defeat at the hands of RCB, they faced MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings in the second semi-final at the DY Patil Stadium. Batting cautiously on a tricky pitch, CSK posted a modest total of 142/7. However, in this knockout match, left-arm fast bowler Doug Bollinger delivered a magnificent bowling performance, breaking the back of the Chargers' batting lineup with figures of 4/13. Deccan's attempt to chase down the target ended in complete failure; they managed to score only 104 runs, handing CSK a victory by 38 runs.
Also Read: SRH vs RR Eliminator IPL 2026: Top 3 Batters Who Could Score Most Runs Today
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