The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 is all set to get underway on March 26, with the final scheduled to be held on May 29. Owing to the threat of COVID-19, the organizers have decided to conduct all the league matches across four venues in Maharashtra. With the tournament being expanded to include 10 teams from this season, a new format has been introduced, wherein the sides have been divided into two virtual groups of five each. The playoffs format, however, remains the same. There have been numerous close tussles in the IPL over the years, with a few matches going down to the wire. Let’s take a look at five IPL games that were decided by a margin of 1 run.
1. PBKS vs MI – May 21, 2008
Punjab Kings (PBKS) defeated Mumbai Indians (MI) by one run in Match No. 45 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2008 in Mumbai. Sent into bat after losing the toss, PBKS posted an impressive 189 for 4. Shaun Marsh hammered 81 off 56 while Luke Pomersbach clubbed an unbeaten 79 off 50. In response, MI were all out for 188 even as Sachin Tendulkar scored 65 in 46 balls. In a frenetic finish, MI needed 19 off the last ball. VRV Singh conceded a six off a no-ball and then a four. However, three run-outs followed as MI ended 1 short in an unbelievable finish.
2. DC vs RR – April 29, 2012
Delhi Capitals beat Rajasthan Royals by a solitary run in Match no. 39 of the IPL 2012 in Delhi. Batting first after winning the toss, DC were restricted to 152 for 6. Skipper Virender Sehwag smacked 63 in only 39 balls. In response, Ajinkya Rahane scored a brilliant 84 not out in only 63 balls. However, RR were held to 151 in their 20 overs despite losing just three wickets. 12 runs were needed off the last over bowled by Umesh Yadav. Rahane smacked the fourth ball of the over for six. However, Owais Shah was run out off the last ball as RR fell tantalizingly short of the target.
3. CSK vs DC – April 9, 2015
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) defeated Delhi in a cliff-hanger at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in the 2nd match of IPL 2015. CSK were sent into bat after losing the toss, after which they were restricted to 150 for 7. Nathan Coulter-Nile starred for Delhi with 3 for 30. In response, Albie Morkel clobbered an unbeaten 73 in 55 balls. However, CSK were still able to restrict the chasing side to 149 for 9. Ashish Nehra (3/25) bowled a superb spell to keep CSK in the hunt. 19 runs were needed off the last over bowled by Dwayne Bravo and Morkel slammed six and two fours. However, despite 17 coming off the over, Delhi ended up on the losing side.
4. MI vs RPS – May 21, 2017 (Final)
MI clinched the 2017 IPL final against Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) by 1 run in Hyderabad. In a low-scoring thriller, Mumbai batted first and were held to 129 for 8. Krunal Pandya top-scored with 47 from 38. For Pune, skipper Steve Smith scored 51 while Rahane contributed 44. However, the chasing side ended on 128 for 6. Pune needed 11 to win in the last over. However, Mitchell Johnson dismissed Manoj Tiwary and Steven Smith while Washington Sundar was run-out off the last ball as MI clinched the IPL crown.
5. RCB vs DC – April 27, 2021
In a cliff-hanger in Ahmedabad last season, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) got the better of DC by 1 run. RCB batted first after losing the toss in Match No.22 and AB de Villiers’ unbeaten 75 in 42 lifted them to 171 for 5. DC looked down and out in the chase at 92 for 4 in the 13th over. However, Shimron Hetmyer displayed spectacular big-hitting skills and cracked an unbeaten 53 in 25 balls. The equation came down to 14 off the last over bowled by Mohammed Siraj. But despite the last two balls being dispatched for fours by Rishabh Pant, DC ended on 170/4.