Cricket is a team game. Irrespective of how big of an effort an individual puts in, he needs the support of his teammates to win the game. However, at times, individuals rise above their teammates and put in such magical shifts that one can only imagine. In the following piece, we’ll have a look at the lowest team score in the IPL history where individuals left fans starstruck with some ferocious knocks.
158 – Sanath Jayasuriya (114)
The Mumbai Indians took on the Chennai Super Kings in the 36th game of the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League at the iconic Wankhede stadium. The home team won the toss and elected to field first. With the help of S Badrinath’s half-century and MS Dhoni’s finishing touch, CSK was able to reach a respectable score of 156 runs in 20 overs.
The pitch was sluggish and the visitors looked ahead in the game but tables turned when the Men In Blue walked out to bat. Sanath Jayasuriya and Sachin Tendulkar strung an opening partnership of 82 runs. Once, the latter got out, Jayasuriya took charge and ushered his team to a 9-wicket victory with 37 balls to spare. The ace Sri Lankan batsman played a scintillating knock of 114 runs which, to date, is the individual 100 with the lowest team score.
155 – Adam Gilchrist (109)
The 14th match of the first edition of the Indian Premier League witnessed the clash of the Mumbai Indians and the Deccan Chargers in Mumbai. Batting first, the hosts couldn’t get off to a good start and lost half of their batsmen below the 80-run mark. However, with the help of Dwayne Bravo and Abhishek Nayar’s cameos of 34 runs each, the Indians were able to post a decent target of 155 runs in 20 overs.
MI fans were expecting a close contest but their hopes shattered as Adam Gilchrist started brutally whacking the hapless bowling line-up of Mumbai with extreme ease. DC’s skipper VVS Laxman anchored at the other end and the pair eventually clinched off a comfortable 10-wicket victory. Gilchrist was adjudged as the man of the match award for his match-winning 109-run knock.
164 – Shikhar Dhawan (106)
The Kings XI Punjab registered a win over the Delhi Capitals in match 38 of the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League. The match began with the Delhi Capitals winning the toss and electing to bat first. The team didn’t start well as they lost one of their openers, i.e. Prithvi Shaw in the Powerplay itself. The Capitals kept losing wickets from that end, however, one player who constantly managed to hold an end was Shikhar Dhawan.
He played a great knock of 106 runs in 61 balls and helped his team post a good target of 165 runs. Howbeit, Nicholas Pooran’s quickfire 53 and Chris Gayle’s mighty cameo of 29 runs in 13 balls outdid Dhawan’s efforts and ensured an easy victory for the KXIP. Even though his franchise lost the game, Dhawan was able to mention his name in the history books with the help of this knock.
162 – Kevin Pietersen (103)
The Deccan Chargers locked horns with the Delhi Daredevils (now, Capitals) in the 23rd game of the 5th edition of the IPL. The Chargers decided to bat first and posted a target of 158 runs, all thanks to Parthiv Patel and Shikhar Dhawan’s knocks of 45 and 44, respectively. Chasing a fine target, Virender Sehwag & Naman Ojha walked out to open the innings for the Daredevils.
But things started to deteriorate as both lost their wickets in the powerplay. Kevin Pietersen, then, held one of the ends and helped the double Ds to surpass the target with 5 balls to spare. He was also awarded the player of the match award for his 103-run-heroics.
159 – Lendl Simmons (100)
The 48th match of the Pepsi IPL 2014 saw a close fight between the Kings XI Punjab & the Mumbai Indians. Batting first, the Kings got off to a fine start but unfortunately, they couldn’t capitalise on it and was ultimately restricted to the team score of 156. Other than Manan Vohra and George Bailey, no other Punjab batsman was able to give a significant contribution. In the second innings, Lendl Simmons and Mike Hussey came out to start the proceedings.
Nonetheless, a struggling Hussey threw away his wicket in the 7th over. The going started looking tough for the Indians but Simmons spearheaded the charge. The Caribbean cricketer played an innings filled with brutality and finesse and chased down the target for his team with an over left.
