In This Article, We Will Discuss About teams Who Defended Lowest Totals in IPL History.In the high-scoring world of the IPL, defending a low total is nothing short of a miracle. With short boundaries, power hitters, and aggressive chasing, most teams feel the pressure when setting a modest score. However, there have been rare moments when bowlers rose to the occasion, fielders stayed razor sharp, and captains pulled off masterstrokes resulting in the unthinkable: a successful defense of an incredibly low total. Let’s revisit five historic matches where teams turned the impossible into unforgettable victories by defending the lowest totals in IPL history.
5. Sunrisers Hyderabad – 119/8 vs Pune Warriors India, Pune, 2013
Back in 2013, Sunrisers Hyderabad was relatively new in the IPL but showcased their bowling strength early on. In a match against Pune Warriors India at the Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium, SRH struggled with the bat and posted a modest total of 119/8 in their 20 overs. Most fans had written them off at the halfway mark.
But what followed was a display of elite bowling. Led by Amit Mishra and Dale Steyn, SRH dismantled the PWI batting order. Mishra’s crafty leg-spin and Steyn’s fiery pace proved too much, and Pune collapsed under pressure. It was a bowling masterclass that reminded fans it’s not always about the runs, sometimes it’s about the heart.
Match Summary:
| Team | Score | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SRH | 119/8 | PW | Pune | 2013 |
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4. Kings XI Punjab – 119/8 vs Mumbai Indians, Durban, 2009
The 2009 IPL season was held in South Africa, and the pitches were far more bowler-friendly than Indian surfaces. In a match at Durban, Kings XI Punjab faced off against the mighty Mumbai Indians. Batting first, KXIP crawled their way to 119/8 a total that seemed far from competitive against a side like MI.
But Yusuf Abdulla and Irfan Pathan had other plans. Punjab’s disciplined bowling, sharp fielding, and smart captaincy from Kumar Sangakkara kept the pressure high. MI’s chase fell apart, and Punjab pulled off one of the most thrilling low-score defenses in IPL history.
Match Summary:
| Team | Score | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KXIP | 119/8 | MI | Durban | 2009 |
3. Sunrisers Hyderabad – 118 vs Mumbai Indians, Wankhede Stadium, 2018
Sunrisers Hyderabad makes this list again and for good reason. The team has built its legacy on powerful bowling units. In 2018, at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, SRH was bowled out for just 118 runs, a total many believed MI would chase down easily.
However, SRH bowlers turned the game into an all-time IPL classic. Siddarth Kaul, Rashid Khan, and Basil Thampi produced a near-perfect performance with the ball. Their line and length choked the MI batsmen. The crowd at Wankhede witnessed one of the rarest events a home team failing to chase a small target. SRH won by 31 runs, cementing their reputation as a deadly bowling unit.
Match Summary:
| Team | Score | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SRH | 118 | MI | Mumbai (WS) | 2018 |
2. Chennai Super Kings – 116/9 vs Punjab Kings, Durban, 2009
Another gem from the 2009 IPL season in South Africa, this time involving Chennai Super Kings. On a tricky Durban surface, CSK found it hard to get going with the bat and ended with just 116/9 in their 20 overs. Punjab Kings, known as Kings XI Punjab at the time, were confident heading into the chase.
But CSK’s bowlers executed their plans to perfection. Muttiah Muralitharan spun a web around the batters, and MS Dhoni’s strategic field placements turned singles into dot balls. Punjab could never get the momentum, and CSK defended one of the lowest totals in league history.
Match Summary:
| Team | Score | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSK | 116/9 | KXIP | Durban | 2009 |
1. Punjab Kings – 111 vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Mullanpur, 2025
In what might go down as one of the greatest bowling displays in IPL history, Punjab Kings defended just 111 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders at Mullanpur in 2025. The pitch wasn’t exactly a nightmare, but Punjab’s bowlers treated every ball like a weapon.
Harshal Patel, Rahul Chahar, and Kagiso Rabada took charge, dismantling KKR’s lineup with ruthless efficiency. Wickets fell at regular intervals, and Punjab’s fielding was nothing short of electric. The energy, the belief, and the discipline combined to produce one of the most jaw-dropping upsets in recent IPL memory. Punjab’s defense of 111 now holds the record for the lowest total ever defended in IPL history.
Match Summary:
| Team | Score | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PBKS | 111 | KKR | Mullanpur | 2025 |
