Over the 16 seasons of the IPL, standout batting performances have illuminated the finals. From Yusuf Pathan’s explosive knock in the inaugural season to Sai Sudharsan’s masterful innings in 2023 finals, each final has witnessed remarkable displays of skill and resilience. Let’s delve into these memorable moments that have left an indelible mark on the history of the IPL finals, showcasing the best of cricketing excellence under pressure.
1. Yusuf Pathan (IPL 2008) – Yusuf Pathan was the top scorer with an impressive knock of 56 runs off just 39 balls for the Rajasthan Royals. His contribution played a crucial role, the Rajasthan Royals emerged victorious, defeating the Chennai Super Kings by 3 wickets. The scorecard featured a thrilling chase, with Rajasthan Royals reaching 164/7 in 20 overs to clinch the title.
2. Herschelle Gibbs (IPL 2009) – Gibbs played a crucial innings for the Deccan Chargers, scoring 53 runs off 48 balls. Gibbs’ contribution was instrumental in helping the Deccan Chargers secure victory in the final. The Deccan Chargers defeated the Royal Challengers Bangalore by six runs. Deccan Chargers scored 143/6 in 20 overs.
3. Suresh Raina (IPL 2010) – Raina led the Chennai Super Kings to victory, scoring 57 runs off 35 balls. The Chennai Super Kings emerged victorious, defeating the Mumbai Indians by 22 runs. Chennai Super Kings posted a total of 168/5 in 20 overs, with Suresh Raina’s 57-run innings playing a crucial role, and their bowlers restricting Mumbai Indians to 146/9.
4. Murali Vijay (IPL 2011) – Vijay played a magnificent innings for the Chennai Super Kings, scoring 95 runs off just 52 balls. The Chennai Super Kings emerged triumphant, prevailing over the Royal Challengers Bangalore by a margin of 58 runs. Chennai Super Kings amassed a formidable total of 205/5 in their allotted 20 overs, led by Murali Vijay’s scintillating 95-run knock, before limiting the Royal Challengers Bangalore to 147/8.
5. Manvinder Bisla (IPL 2012) – Manvinder Bisla, representing the Kolkata Knight Riders, played a sensational innings in the finals, scoring 89 runs off just 48 balls. His remarkable performance was instrumental in securing victory and defeating the Chennai Super Kings by 5 wickets. Kolkata Knight Riders chased down a target of 191 runs, with Manvinder Bisla’s remarkable 89-run innings leading the charge.
6. MS Dhoni (IPL 2013) – In the IPL 2013 final, MS Dhoni emerged as the top scorer, hitting a magnificent 63 runs off just 45 balls for Chennai Super Kings. However, the Chennai Super Kings were defeated by 23 runs. Mumbai Indians posted a total of 148/9 in 20 overs, and then restricted Chennai Super Kings to 125/9, clinching the title.
7. Wriddhiman Saha (IPL 2014) – In the IPL 2014 final, Wriddhiman Saha starred for Kings XI Punjab, smashing a remarkable 115 runs off 55 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders. However, due to Manish Pandey’s innings of 94 runs, the Kolkata Knight Riders clinched victory, overcoming the Kings XI Punjab by three wickets with three balls to spare.
8. Lendl Simmons (IPL 2015) – Simmons played a vital innings for the Mumbai Indians, scoring 68 runs off 45 balls, which played a significant role in helping the Mumbai Indians set up a competitive total and defeat the Chennai Super Kings by 41 runs. Mumbai Indians scored 202/5 in 20 overs and then stopped Chennai Super Kings to 161/8, securing the title.
9. Chris Gayle (IPL 2016) – In the IPL 2016 final, Chris Gayle excelled as the top scorer for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, accumulating 76 runs off 38 balls. However, following Ben Cutting’s all-round effort, the Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated the Royal Challengers Bangalore by 8 runs. The Sunrisers posted 208/7 in their innings and defended against the Royal Challengers’ total of 200/7, securing the championship.
10. Steve Smith (IPL 2017) – Steve Smith excelled as the top scorer for the Rising Pune Supergiant, accumulating 51 runs off 50 balls, playing a crucial role in his team’s performance. The Mumbai Indians secured victory by a narrow margin of 1 run against the Rising Pune Supergiant in an exhilarating contest. Mumbai Indians posted 129/8 in 20 overs and successfully defended against the Rising Pune Supergiant, restricting them to 128/6.
11. Shane Watson (IPL 2018) – Shane Watson was the top scorer for the Chennai Super Kings, scoring 117* runs off just 57 balls and playing a vital role in his team’s victory. In the IPL 2018 finals, the Chennai Super Kings secured victory by 8 wickets against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Chennai Super Kings successfully chased down a target of 179 runs, reaching 181/2 in 18.3 overs and securing their third title.
12. Shane Watson (IPL 2019) – Shane Watson emerged as the leading run-scorer for the Chennai Super Kings, amassing a significant 80 runs off 59 balls, albeit in a losing effort against the Mumbai Indians. Mumbai Indians defeated the Chennai Super Kings by 1 run in a nail-biting finish. Mumbai Indians posted a total of 149/8 in 20 overs and then restricted the Chennai Super Kings to 148/7, securing their fourth IPL title.
13. Rohit Sharma (IPL 2020) – Rohit Sharma stood out as the Mumbai Indians’ leading run-scorer, scoring 68 runs off 51 balls and helping his team win. In the IPL 2020 finals, the Mumbai Indians emerged victorious, defeating the Delhi Capitals by 5 wickets. Mumbai Indians chased down a target of 157 runs, reaching 157/5 in 18.4 overs, clinching their overall fifth and consecutive second IPL title.
14. Faf du Plessis (IPL 2021) – Faf du Plessis stood out as the Chennai Super Kings’ leading run-scorer, scoring 86 runs off 59 balls and playing an important role in his team’s victory. In the IPL 2021 finals, the Chennai Super Kings clinched victory, triumphing over the Kolkata Knight Riders by 27 runs. Chennai Super Kings set a formidable total of 192/3 in 20 overs, and subsequently restricted the Kolkata Knight Riders to 165/9, securing their fourth IPL title.
15. Shubman Gill (IPL 2022) – In the IPL 2022 finals, Shubman Gill unbeaten 45* proved crucial as his team chased down the target of 131 runs set by the Rajasthan Royals, securing victory by 7 wickets. Gill’s composed innings played a pivotal role in his team’s triumph in the final match of the tournament.
16. Sai Sudharsan (IPL 2023) – Sai Sudharsan, representing the Gujarat Titans, delivered a stellar performance in the IPL 2023 finals, crafting a magnificent innings of 96 runs against CSK. His outstanding contribution propelled Gujarat to a formidable total of 214 runs in the final match. However, despite his remarkable innings, CSK emerged victorious, defeating Gujarat Titans, as they chased down the target and secured their fifth title.
