What are the lowest totals successfully defended?


IPL 2023 Winner

Defending low totals in the IPL is rare and dramatic, making those matches unforgettable. Here's a list of the lowest totals successfully defended in IPL history:

🛡️ Top 5 Lowest Totals Defended in IPL

🎯 Target 🏏 Defending Team 🆚 Opponent 📅 Season 🔥 Result
116 Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Punjab Kings (then KXIP) 2009 CSK won by 24 runs
118 Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) Mumbai Indians (MI) 2018 SRH won by 31 runs
119 Punjab Kings (then KXIP) Mumbai Indians (MI) 2009 KXIP won by 3 runs
120 Mumbai Indians (MI) Pune Warriors India 2012 MI won by 1 run
121 Delhi Capitals (then DD) Kings XI Punjab 2009 DC won by 10 runs

🌟 Notable Match:

SRH vs MI, 2018

  • SRH scored: 118

  • MI all out for: 87

  • Key Performers: Rashid Khan, Siddarth Kaul

  • Why it stands out:

    • Exceptional bowling by SRH.

    • In Wankhede, where chasing is usually easier.

    • One of the most shocking collapses for MI.

💡 Context:

  • Low-score defenses rely heavily on tight bowling, good fielding, and pressure management.

  • Defending anything under 130 in T20s is considered elite-level execution.

🧠 Fun Fact:

  • Teams like SRH and CSK are known for defending low totals, thanks to their structured bowling attacks and cool-headed captains (Dhoni & Williamson).

Want to check out the lowest totals ever in IPL (not just successful defenses) or the closest low-score thrillers? I can pull those up too!