The Indian Premier League (IPL) is known for its high-scoring thrillers, with batters smashing sixes and chasing mammoth totals. But sometimes, it’s the bowlers who steal the show, turning seemingly easy chases into nail-biting battles. One such moment came in IPL 2025, when Punjab Kings (PBKS) scripted history by defending the lowest total ever in a full 20-over IPL match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
This article dives into the top 5 lowest totals defended in IPL history, spotlighting PBKS’s record-breaking feat and other iconic low-scoring defenses. Whether you’re a cricket fan or just love an underdog story, here’s everything you need to know about these epic bowling masterclasses.
Punjab Kings’ Historic Defense: 111 vs KKR, IPL 2025
On April 15, 2025, Punjab Kings pulled off the unthinkable at Mullanpur’s Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium. After choosing to bat first, PBKS crumbled to 111 all out in 15.3 overs, with Harshit Rana (3/25), Varun Chakaravarthy (2/21), and Sunil Narine (2/14) leading KKR’s bowling charge. Openers Priyansh Arya (22) and Prabhsimran Singh (30) gave a quick start, adding 39 in 3.1 overs, but Harshit’s double-wicket over sparked a collapse.
Chasing 112, KKR looked comfortable at 62/2 after 7.3 overs. Enter Yuzvendra Chahal, whose magical 4/28 flipped the game. Supported by Marco Jansen’s 3/17, PBKS bowled KKR out for 95 in 15.1 overs, securing a 16-run win. This broke the previous record for the lowest total defended in IPL history, set by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2009. It was a stunning display of grit, proving that in T20 cricket, no total is too small to defend with heart and strategy.
Top 5 Lowest Totals Defended in IPL History
Low-scoring defenses are rare in the IPL’s batsman-dominated landscape, making these matches unforgettable. Here’s the definitive list of the top 5 lowest totals defended in IPL history (full 20-over games only):
- 111 by Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders, 2025: PBKS set the record in Mullanpur, defending 111. Chahal’s four-wicket haul and Jansen’s three scalps stunned KKR, who fell for 95. A historic moment that redefined IPL bowling heroics.
- 116/9 by Chennai Super Kings vs Kings XI Punjab, 2009: CSK’s 116/9 in Durban seemed paltry, but Muttiah Muralitharan’s 2/8 in 4 overs choked Kings XI Punjab to 92/8. CSK’s 24-run win held the record until 2025.
- 118 by Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Mumbai Indians, 2018: At Wankhede, SRH’s 118 looked doomed. But Siddarth Kaul (3/23), Rashid Khan (2/11), and Basil Thampi (2/4) bowled MI out for 87, clinching a 31-run upset.
- 119/8 by Kings XI Punjab vs Mumbai Indians, 2009: In Durban, Kings XI Punjab’s 119/8, led by Kumar Sangakkara’s 45, was just enough. Yusuf Abdullah’s 2/19 helped restrict MI to 116/7, winning by 3 runs.
- 119/8 by Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Pune Warriors India, 2013: SRH’s 119/8 in Pune was powered by Amit Mishra’s 4/19, which bowled PWI out for 108, securing an 11-run victory.
List of Top 14 Lowest total defended in IPL history
| S.No. | Team | Total | Opposition | Result | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Punjab Kings | 111 | Kolkata Knight Riders | PBKS won by 16 runs | 15 April 2025 |
| 2 | Chennai Super Kings | 116/9 | Kings XI Punjab | CSK Won by 24 Runs | 20 May 2009 |
| 3 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 118 | Mumbai Indians | SRH Won by 31 Runs | 24 April 2018 |
| 4 | Kings XI Punjab | 119/8 | Mumbai Indians | KXIP Won by 24 Runs | 20 April 2009 |
| 5 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 119/8 | Pune Warriors | SRH Won by 11 Runs | 17 April 2013 |
| 6 | Mumbai Indians | 120/9 | Pune Warriors | MI Won by 1 Run | 3 May 2012 |
| 7 | Punjab Kings | 125/7 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | PBKS Won by 5 Runs | 25 September 2021 |
| 8 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 126/8 | Chennai Super Kings | RCB Won by 14 Runs | 21 May 2008 |
| 9 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 126/6 | Pune Warriors | SRH Won by 22 Runs | 5 April 2013 |
| 10 | Kings XI Punjab | 126/7 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | KXIP Won by 12 Runs | 24 October 2020 |
| 11 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 126/9 | Lucknow Super Giants | RCB Won by 18 Runs | 1 May 2023 |
| 12 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 129/7 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | KKR Won by 5 Runs | 8 May 2008 |
| 13 | Deccan Chargers | 129/7 | Kochi Tuskers Kerala | DEC Won by 55 Runs | 27 April 2011 |
| 14 | Pune Warriors | 129/9 | Mumbai Indians | PWI Won by 28 Runs | 6 April 2012 |
Punjab Kings’ defense of 111 against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025 isn’t just a win—it’s a landmark in T20 cricket. By surpassing CSK’s 16-year record, PBKS showed that lowest totals defended in IPL history are about heart as much as skill. From Chahal’s spin wizardry to Jansen’s fiery pace, these moments remind us why we love cricket’s unpredictability.
As the IPL evolves, will we see even lower totals defended? For now, PBKS’s 2025 heroics top the list. Share your favorite low-scoring thriller in the comments—what made it unforgettable?
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