Defended totals in the death overs are among the most thrilling and underrated moments in the Indian Premier League (IPL). While the league is often celebrated for blistering centuries, last-ball sixes, and record-breaking run chases, it’s these nail-biting finishes, where bowlers hold their nerve and defend minimal targets against all odds, that truly define the drama. In those final overs, with a packed stadium roaring and a well-set batsman at the crease, one mistake can cost the game. Yet, some bowlers rise above the chaos to script unforgettable defences under immense pressure.
Over the years, a few exceptional bowlers have risen above the chaos, using nerves of steel, clever variations, and sheer willpower to snatch victories from the jaws of defeat. This article dives deep into those clutch moments—when bowlers defended the lowest targets in the death overs and etched their names in IPL folklore.
5. Sandeep Sharma – 13 Runs Defended vs RR (2023)
Match Scenario: RR needed 13 runs off the final over with big hitters like Hetmyer and Parag still in play.
Clutch Execution: Sandeep started with two yorkers, mixed in a couple of clever slower balls, and even bowled a dot to Hetmyer. His final over: 1, W, 2, 0, 1, 1, giving away just 5 runs.
Why It Was Special: Known more for his swing bowling, Sandeep showed his evolution into a death-over specialist. This performance earned him back-to-back matches and kept SRH’s playoff hopes alive.
4. Andrew Tye – 10 Runs Defended vs SRH (2018)
Match Scenario: In a game that went under the radar, Punjab Kings had posted a below-par score. SRH needed just 10 runs in the last over, with Shakib Al Hasan and Yusuf Pathan at the crease.
Clutch Execution: Tye used his back-of-the-hand, slower deliveries masterfully. His final over read: 1, W, 1, 1, 0, W, giving away only 3 runs and snatching a win for Punjab.
Why It Was Special: Tye’s spell didn’t make as many headlines as others, but it was a clinical death-over masterclass. It proved vital in KXIP’s mid-season comeback that year.
3. Tushar Deshpande – 12 Runs Defended vs RCB (2024)
Match Scenario: CSK had set a modest total, and RCB were cruising until a collapse brought them to the last over, needing 12 runs with Dinesh Karthik and Karn Sharma at the crease.
Clutch Execution: Deshpande bowled with remarkable discipline, using hard lengths and mixing up his pace. He conceded just 6 runs, with a boundary off the first ball and then four dot balls, completely suffocating RCB’s chase.
Why It Was Special: This match turned the tide for CSK’s season and showcased Deshpande’s growth from a fringe player to a reliable death bowler under Dhoni’s guidance.
2. Lasith Malinga – 9 Runs Defended vs CSK (Final, 2019)
Match Scenario: The 2019 IPL Final. CSK needed 9 runs in the last over with MS Dhoni already dismissed. Malinga, despite going for runs earlier, was handed the final over.
Clutch Execution: After mixing up his pace beautifully, Malinga saved the best for last. With 2 runs needed off the final ball, he bowled a deceptive slower-ball yorker to trap Shardul Thakur LBW and win the title for MI.
Why It Was Special: This was not just any match—it was the IPL final. The pressure, the stakes, and the iconic finish made this one of the most memorable last-over defences in IPL history.
1. Mohit Sharma – 11 Runs Defended vs MI (Qualifier 2, 2023)
Match Scenario: MI needed 11 runs off the final over with Tim David at the crease—more than manageable by T20 standards. But Mohit Sharma had other plans.
Clutch Execution: Sharma delivered one of the most clinical last overs in IPL history. Deceiving the batsmen with pinpoint slower balls, cutters, and yorkers, he gave away just 5 runs and took 2 wickets, choking MI’s momentum completely.
Why It Was Special: This wasn’t just a league match—it was the IPL Qualifier 2, with a place in the final at stake. Under immense pressure, Mohit kept his calm and delivered an over worthy of legend status.
Stats Table
| Rank | Bowler | Runs to Defend | Final Over Runs Given | Opposition | Season | Match Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mohit Sharma | 11 | 5 | MI | 2023 | Qualifier 2 |
| 2 | Lasith Malinga | 9 | 8 | CSK | 2019 | Final |
| 3 | Tushar Deshpande | 12 | 6 | RCB | 2024 | League Match |
| 4 | Andrew Tye | 10 | 3 | SRH | 2018 | League Match |
| 5 | Sandeep Sharma | 13 | 5 | RR | 2023 | League Match |
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