On Tuesday, April 15, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) made history when they faced the reigning champion Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 match. They defended the lowest total in the tournament’s history.
Since IPL 2024, there have been numerous high-scoring matches with teams scoring more than 250, but IPL 2025 saw a much-needed low-scoring thriller. The hitters in this match were bewildered as the bowlers from both teams stole the show amid huge sixes and boundaries being smashed all over the park.
This is an opportunity to examine the lowest totals defended in the IPL, a rare accomplishment that does not occur frequently in the competition, even though batters frequently garner the most attention due to the biggest totals scored and chased.
5 lowest totals defended in IPL history
1. SRH Stun PWI with a Stunning Defense in a Low-Scoring Thriller
In the 2013 season, the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Pune Warriors India (PWI) faced off in Pune. SRH was limited to 119/8 in their 20 overs when they batted first. With players like Manish Pandey, Steve Smith, Aaron Finch, Robin Uthappa, and others in PWI, it seemed like the game was over.
But SRH released plans that were different. There was no turning back as they took the first wicket in the fifth over. Hyderabad won by 11 runs after PWI was bowled out for 108 in 19 overs, with Amit Mishra taking four and Thisara Perera taking three.
2. PBKS Defend 119 vs MI in IPL 2009 Thriller in Durban
This list features the Punjab Kings (PBKS), formerly known as Kings XI Punjab, because of their exciting victory over the Mumbai Indians in 2009. Since the 2009 edition was held in South Africa, this game was played in Durban. After batting first, Punjab was held at 119/8 in their 20 overs.
Mumbai began losing wickets early on, and big names like Sanath Jayasuriya and Sachin Tendulkar struggled in the chase. As the game was coming to a close, PBKS continued to chip away. They defeated Mumbai by three runs after limiting them to 116/7, with Irfan Pathan taking two wickets and the others contributing.
3. SRH Pull Off a Stunning Defense Against Mumbai in 2018
In the 2018 campaign SunRisers Hyderabad limited the Mumbai Indians to 118 runs while playing at the Wankhede Stadium. Mumbai Indians enforced a quick demise of the opposition by taking out the SunRisers Hyderabad team for 118 runs across 18.4 overs.
The Hyderabad bowlers performed exceptionally well to reverse the situation against their opponents. Mumbai Indians lost three players in the first overs of batting and Hyderabad won comfortably with 31 extra runs after reducing their opponents to 87 runs from 18.5 overs. Siddharth Kaul struck three wickets before Rashid Khan and Basil Thampi took two wickets to knock out the opposing team.
4. CSK Defend 116 vs PBKS in Durban During IPL 2009
The Chennai Super Kings played Punjab in Durban during the 2009 season. Chennai batted first and scored just 116/9 in their 20 overs thanks to Punjab’s combined bowling effort.
However, Punjab was unable to chase down 117 runs and failed to cross the finish line. With only 59 runs scored, they lost half the team and were unable to bounce back. Ultimately, Chennai won by 24 runs and they were limited to 92/8.
5. PBKS Sets Record for Defending Lowest IPL Total Against KKR
PBKS appears on this list for the third time. They became the club to defend the lowest IPL total ever against reigning champions KKR in the current season. Punjab struggled when they batted first and were dismissed for 111 in just 15.3 overs.
But for KKR, the ensuing course of events was nothing short of a nightmare. Before losing the third wicket at 62, they bounced back well after losing two wickets for seven runs. After this, PBKS made a resurgence, and the game completely changed course. Punjab won by 16 runs as KKR fell apart like a deck of cards and were dismissed for just 95 in 15.1 overs. The two best players with the ball were Marco Jansen (three wickets) and Yuzvendra Chahal (four wickets).
