The Indian Premier League is known for explosive batting innings and big totals on the board. Fans enjoy the firepower batting where the run rate per over spike northwards.
However, there have been instances where teams could barely cross the three digit mark while batting first. On a few occasions, teams have posted modest totals either due to the slow wicket or a phenomenal bowling attack from the opposition. While these modest targets seem easy to chase down most of the time, some teams in the IPL have successfully defended low scores, delivering a nail-biting contest.
Time and again it has been proven that in the IPL that the match is not over until it is over. This is what makes the IPL exciting and places it above the rest of the T20 leagues in the world. In addition to this, fans can catch such IPL excitement on various gaming platforms including the Puntit website, where the thrill is intact even with low scores.
On that note, let us take a look at the top lowest scores defended in the IPL history, producing tightly contested encounters.
1. 111 by Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders, 2025
Punjab Kings stole victory from the jaws of Kolkata Knight Riders in a thrilling match on April 15, 2025. Batting first, Punjab Kings were bundled out for just 111 runs after KKR bowlers took wicket at quick intervals.
Kolkata Knight Riders entered the second innings with confidence to chase 112, in what seemed to be an achievable target given the powerhitters they have in their batting lineup. However, they were soon 7 for 2, then 72 for 3, and then 95 all out. Chahal, who took four wickets, turned out to be the game changer for Punjab. The leg spinner ended with 4 for 28, helping his side make a comeback.
KKR lost six wickets in 5.2 overs. Eventually, the Sheyas Iyer-led side won by 16 runs. This is what makes cricket an interesting sport. Punjab went from failing to defend 245 one game to defending 111 the next.
2. 116 by Chennai Super Kings vs Kings XI Punjab, 2009
The second in the list is Chennai Super Kings (CSK) defending 116 during the 2009 edition of the tournament in Durban. They could manage to muster just 116/9 in 20 overs, with Parthiv Patel contributing 32 runs off 23 balls.
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Chasing 116, KXIP (now Punjab Kings) did not look in a hurry as they batted slow. R Ashwin and Suresh Raina and Muralidaran took two wickets each as CSK bowlers performed brilliantly. Punjab were restricted to 92/8, giving CSK a 24-run victory.
3. 118 by Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Mumbai Indians, 2018
In the 2018 edition of the IPL, Sunrisers Hyderabad were bowled out for 118 in 18.4 overs against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium making one of the lowest scores in the history of the tournament. The target seemed modest considering the depth of the Mumbai Indians batting lineup. However, Sunrisers Hyderabad bowlers proved it to be a competitive total.
Pacer Siddarth Kaul took an incredible 3/23. Basil Thampi made a contribution with 2/4 and Rashid Khan, who bowled 16 dot balls, delivered an economical 2/11. The Mumbai batting order collapsed under pressure and were bowled out for just 87 runs. SRH recorded a memorable 31-run victory.
4. 119 by Kings XI Punjab vs Mumbai Indians, 2009
Kings XI Punjab, posted 119/8 against Mumbai Indians during a 2009 IPL clash in Durban. Kumar Sangakkara contributed with 45 off 44 balls.
In reply, Mumbai Indians’ chase crumbled as their batters could not weather the brilliant attack from Punjab. Even Jean Paul Duminy’s valiant 59 off 63 balls could not help MI cross the finish line. The team could only manage 116/7 in 20 overs. Punjab won the match with a narrow margin of 3 runs, making it one of the tightest low-score defences in the tournament’s history.
5. 119 by Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Pune Warriors India, 2013
Sunrisers Hyderabad managed 119/8 against Pune Warriors India in IPL 2023. In their chase. Amit Mishra helped SRH defend the total with a figure of 4/19, which inluded a hat-trick. Pune were bowled out for 108, and SRH registered an 11-run win in a game that turned out to be one of the closely contested matches.
Also Read: IPL 2025: Top 4 Expensive Players Who Flopped in the Season
Lowest scores defended in IPL history- (Top 10)
| S.No | Team | Score | Opposition | Result | Date |
| 1 | Punjab Kings | 111/10 | 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 |
