IPL 2024: Top 5 highest successful run chases in the IPL history

The ongoing 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League has become a bazaar of new records. Be it by breaking the record of most runs in an innings three times or witnessing quality and emerging Indian pacers increasing the bar of the cricketing dynamics.

With half of the league stage completed, it is no surprise to witness more records being set up and broken in the coming days. To talk about one such record, here are the top five most successful run chases in IPL history. 

1. Punjab Kings chased down 261/6 vs Kolkata Knight Riders (2024 edition)

As mentioned earlier, the 2024 IPL edition is about breaking and setting up new records; the matchup between Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings wasn’t limited to the IPL level but created history in the T20I cricket ecosystem. Punjab Kings won the toss and bowling, and the home team, Kolkata Knight Riders, did their usual business of power hitting, thanks to their opening pair of Phil Salt and Sunil Narine, taking them to a colossal target of 262. But the Kings had different intentions.

On a batters-friendly track and with a robust powerplay starting because of Prabhsimran Singh, the team was able to get a complete grip on the game. Jonny Bairstow’s swashbuckling 2nd IPL century was the show-stealer, with Shashank Singh’s half-century being the cherry on top. By this, they have scored 262/2 in 18.4 overs, making this the most successful run-chase in the T20I cricket history.

2. Rajasthan Royals chased down 223/2 vs Punjab Kings (2022 edition)

The inaugural edition champions are holding the first spot in this immaculate record, Rajasthan Royals. The small dimensions of the Sharjah wicket make it a breeding ground for boundaries and sixes, which was seen in the Punjab Kings’ first innings, where they made 223/2 with Mayank Agarwal’s heroic century. But the Royals had some other plans with the bat.

The team’s former captain, Steve Smith and wicketkeeper batter, Sanju Samson, have made 50 and 85 runs, respectively. Still, the real game-changer for the Royals was Rahul Tewatia, who made 53 runs off 31 balls, smashing five sixes out of Sheldon Cottrell’s over when the equation to win was 51 runs off the last three overs. This innings led the Royals to score 226/6 in 19.3 overs, making them win by four wickets with three balls remaining. 

3. Rajasthan Royals chased down 223/6 vs Kolkata Knight Riders (2024 edition)

Rajasthan Royals have made a new entry to this record list by sealing the second position as the joint-highest successful run chase by a team in the IPL. Happening on the vast ground of Eden Gardens, the Knight Riders were set up to bat first, with the surprising century appearance of the impeccable spinner Sunil Narine, who displayed his sheer all-rounder’s calibre in the game.

With the backing of other batters, KKR were able to set up a target of 224 runs for Rajasthan Royals. Though the Royals had a robust start with the bat, wickets were tumbling in frequent intervals when the equation was 46 runs off the last three overs with seven wickets down. Jos Buttler’s calm and composed approach with the bat led him to his seventh IPL century and the team’s victory by scoring their target, 224/8, in their 20-over campaign.

4. Mumbai Indians chased down 218/4 vs Chennai Super Kings (2021 edition)

In the 2021 edition of the tournament, the El-Clasico of IPL has also entered into the list of these records, credits to the all-rounding heroics of the Carribean cricketer Kieron Pollard. The men in Yellow have set a colossal target for 2019, thanks to the batting boost by Ambati Rayudu, Faf du Plessis and Moeen Ali.

But, the Mumbai Indians gave an excellent kickstart with the bat as the team contributed to their fullest, but Kieron Pollard’s memorable 87 runs off 34 balls created the impact. With the last over equation of 16 runs needed, Pollard displayed his swashbuckling approach off CSK’s Lungi Ngidi and took the team to their victory by making 219/6 in 20 overs.

5. Rajasthan Royals chased down 214/5 vs Deccan Chargers (2008 edition)

As it suggests, Rajasthan Royals can be hailed as the successful high-run chasers, as they make an entry to the list for the third time. And this time, it is way back during their memorable inaugural champion stint. With the former IPL squad, Deccan Chargers, batting first, they set up a formidable total of 214/5, thanks to the commendable Andrew Symonds century at an above 200 strike rate.

But Rajasthan Royals had a cakewalk while chasing such a massive total, all credit to their robust batting order batting comprising the likes of Graeme Smith & Yusuf Pathan, who have made their respective half-centuries. Also, not to forget a cameo appearance by Mohammad Kaif and Shane Warne, who have hit valuable boundaries and shots out of the park, leading the 2008 champions to a win by three wickets.