T20 is often labelled as a batsman’s paradise and a bowler’s graveyard. But down the years, the Indian Premier League has given enough reasons for the bowlers to feel proud of their displays. The IPL has consistenly seen low-scoring crunch games, where bowlers take centre stage and overshadow their flashy counterparts. And it genuinely does feel like a refreshing sight to see the stumps knocked down more often than the umpires signalling for a boundary. And although the crowd don’t take the drought of boundaries and sixes too kindly, if you’re a bowler, then SPORTZWIKI’s Top 5 Lowest team totals in IPL history is a treat for your eyes.
5. Chennai Super Kings v/s MUmbai Indians on May 5,2013.
The pace attack of Johnson and Malinga did the early damage, while Pragyan Ojha ensured that the CSK’s innings never took off. Economical bowling and top-draw fielding put Ambani’s men on top as the CSK were bundled out for 79 and Mumbai made the target look like a walk in the park.
4. Kochi Tuskers Kerala v/s Deccan Chargers on April 27,2011.
Ishant Sharma has been the butt of all jokes on Facebook and Twitter, thanks to a disastrous run of performances for the Indian team, but the Delhi pacer earned his best IPL figures of 5 for 12 while Dale Steyn gave him ample support picking up 3 wickets for just 16 runs. Leggie Amit Mishra and seamer Manpreet Gony chipped in with a wicket each as Kochi only managed 74 runs in 16.3 overs.
3. Royal Challengers Bangalore v/s Rajasthan Royals on April 26,2014.
On a bowler friendly track, the formidable batting lineup of Royal Challengers Bangalore were made to look pretty ordinary by a very disciplined and resolute Rajasthan bowling department. The Pravin Tambe‘s of the world did all the damage as superstars like Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh and AB de Villiers lost their wickets to poor strokes. Mitchell Starc and Ravi Rampaul restored some respect to the RCB total as they looked to be in danger of perishing for the lowest total ever in IPL history. Eventually, a score of 70 proved to be a comfortable run chase for Shane Watson‘s men.
2. Kolkata Knight Riders v/s Mumbai Indians on May 16,2008.
Shah Rukh Khan’s Knight Riders were on course to earn a spot in the semifinals when Shoaib Akhtar‘s fine spell against the Delhi Daredevils in the previous game put them in a strong position to march towards a semi-final berth, but Shaun Pollock and co. put on a fantastic bowling effort, picking up wickets at regular intervals and not allowing the likes of Sourav Ganguly and Brendon McCullum to settle. Eventually, Sanath Jayasuriya‘s big-hitting took Mumbai home with relative ease as they went in pursuit of a mere 67.
1. Rajasthan Royals v/s Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 18,2009.
Anil ‘Jumbo’ Kumble took career best figures of 5 for 5 as the Royal Challengers Bangalore thumped the defending Champions by a margin of 75 runs. While Jesse Ryder and Praveen Kumar chipped in with a couple of wickets each as Rajasthan could only manage 58, Rahul Dravid was adjudged Man of the Match for his top score in RCB’s innings of 133.
Team |
Score |
Overs |
Innings |
Opposition |
IPL Season |
Rajasthan Royals |
58 |
15.1 |
2 |
Royal Challengers Bangalore |
2009 |
Kolkata Knight Riders |
67 |
15.2 |
1 |
Mumbai Indians |
2008 |
Royals Challengers Bangalore |
70 |
15.0 |
1 |
Rajasthan Royals |
2014 |
Kochi Tuskers Kerala |
74 |
16.3 |
2 |
Deccan Chargers |
2011 |
Chennai Super Kings |
79 |
15.2 |
2 |
Mumbai Indians |
2013 |
Stat updated till May 1, 2015