5 Fastest Chases in IPL History
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IPL 2021
When we talk of T20 cricket, the first thing that comes to our mind is a run-fest. Imagining the shortest format of the game without runs is similar to eating a dessert without sweetness. The Indian Premier League have witnessed numerous run fests over the span of 14 seasons. And all thanks to the batsmen who put their best foot forward whenever they are out in the middle.
The dominance of batsmen in the league has seen some excrutiating run chases over time. Moreover, with the net run rate coming into play in the race to the playoffs, teams tend to close off matches quickly to gain an edge. As we talk of quick run chases, lets take a look at the fastest chases in IPL history.
Top 5 fastest chases in IPL history
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) – 10 overs
A clinical performance for KKR saw them kick off their second leg of IPL 2021 in style. Choosing to bat first, RCB found themselves in all shorts of troubles as they were reduced to four for 52 in the first ten overs. Barring Devdutt Padikkal, none of the RCB batters managed to cross 20 as Varun Chakravarthy and Andre Russell ran riot with the ball bagging three wickets each.
Put in to chase a mediocre 93, KKR got off to a stunning start thanks to their brand new opening pair of Shubman Gill and debutant Venkatesh Iyer. The pair put up an impressive 82 run stand setting up a comfortable win for their side. On debut, Iyer hit the winning runs, a sumptuous boundary through midwicket, to cap off the league’s fifth fastest and KKR’s fastest chase.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) vs Punjab Kings (PBKS) – 8.1 overs
RCB and PBKs clashed in 2018 with the former’s playoff chances in the fray. Winning the toss, RCB skipper Virat Kohli chose to bowl first and his bowlers proved his decision right with an impressive effort. Umesh Yadav led the charge for the Royal Challengers as his three, that included those of KL Rahul and Chris Gyale, saw PBKS skittled out for a paltry 88.
Presented with a golden opportunity to boost their net run rate and their play off chances with it, RCB put their foot on the gas pedal. The Kings failed to dismiss the openers as Kohli and veteran Parthiv Patel rushed their side home with over 11 overs to spare giving their side the much needed momentum. Yet they finished sixth as they lost their final game to Rajasthan Royals.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) vs Delhi Capitals (DC) – 7.5 overs
PBKS thrashed the Delhi Capitals, then known as Delhi Daredevils with some style. Sandeep Sharma decimated the young DC batting lineup as he sclped four wickets. Corey Anderson was the standout performer as he was the only Delhi batsman who managed to score over 15 runs.
Chasing a paltry 68, Punjab Kings made a mockery of the DC attack as they got over the line with over 12 overs to go. Martin Guptill starred with the bat as he smashed a 27 ball half century to help his side to a 10 wiket victory. The legendary Hashim Amla played second fiddle to the Kiwi as he destroyed the opposition.
Kochi Tuskers Kerala (KTK) vs Rajasthan Royals (RR) – 7.2 overs
The Kochi Tuskers Kerala had a short stay in the IPL. During their brief time in the league, they boasted a star studded line up although they never managed to make it to the playoffs. In the 61st game of IPL 2011, KTK showed their might against former champs Rajasthan as they skittled them out for just 97 thanks to Brad Hodge‘s four wicket haul.
In return, the Kochi Tuskers mounted a tremendous counterattack as they chased down the total in eight overs. The top four, which featured Brendon McCullum, Mahela Jayawardhene, Parthiv Patel and Brad Hodge decimated the RR attack. The Australian was adjudged the man of the match for his four wickets and quick fire 33 runs.
Mumbai Indians (MI) vs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – 5.2 overs
The Mumbai Indians set the bar in the very first season when it comes to quick fire chases. The fastest chase in IPL history came against KKR who slumped for just 67 at the Wankhede. Shaun Pollock led the MI attack with three wickets as DJ Bravo, Rohan Raje and Dominic Thornley scalped two each. For KKR, Ajit Agarkar was the best batsman as he scored 15 with a strike rate in excess of 100.
With the bat, MI struggled as they lost two wickets in the first four overs. But thanks to Sanath Jayasuriya‘s blistering 48, Mumbai wrapped the game inside the powerplay. It remains the only chase in the history of the IPL which need in the powerplay. Pollock was adjudged the player of the match for his stunning spell.
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Anshuman Mahapatra
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