The Indian Premier League has long been more than just a cricket tournament, it’s a cinematic blend of drama, adrenaline, heartbreak, and triumph. While most matches wrap up by around 11 PM IST, now and then, the cricket gods conspire to stretch the game well beyond midnight, gifting fans legendary encounters that seem pulled straight from a movie script. These games, played under lights but finished under starlight, hold a special place in the IPL’s folklore.
In these post-midnight classics, the stakes have often been sky-high—playoff spots on the line, reputations to defend, and nerves stretched to breaking point. These are not merely long matches; they are marathons of pressure, skill, and storytelling. From stunning chases to impossible turnarounds, let’s revisit the Top 5 Most Impactful IPL Matches That Finished After Midnight, updated through the 2025 season.
5. Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals – IPL 2014
- Date: May 25, 2014
- Finish Time: After Midnight
- Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- Impact: MI qualified for playoffs by chasing 190 in just 14.3 overs; Net Run Rate miracle
A Chase That Defied Mathematics
Mumbai Indians needed a win in 14.3 overs or less to leapfrog Rajasthan Royals on Net Run Rate. Nobody expected it. It was like chasing 190 on cheat mode.
Corey Anderson: The Meteorite from New Zealand
Corey Anderson, up until that point a hit-or-miss player, went supernova with 95 off 44 balls*. His brute-force hitting turned the match into a slaughter. His drives were cannonballs, his pulls missile strikes. When Aditya Tare walked out with 2 balls to spare, Mumbai needed a six to not just win but qualify. What happened next is etched in IPL legend: Tare launched James Faulkner over fine leg for a six, ending the game and catapulting MI into the playoffs match over at 12:05 AM.
4. Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore – IPL 2012
- Date: April 12, 2012
- Finish Time: After Midnight
- Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
- Impact: Highest successful chase for CSK at the time; one of the most explosive finishes in IPL history
When Albie Morkel Turned Into Thor
Royal Challengers Bangalore posted a daunting 205, thanks to Gayle and Kohli. In reply, CSK faltered. They needed 43 off the last two overs. Even die-hard fans had switched off their TVs.
Enter Albie Morkel
With ice in his veins, Morkel smashed Virat Kohli for 28 runs in the 19th over, arguably the most famous over Kohli ever bowled. The ground shook, literally, and figuratively. Then Dwayne Bravo and Jadeja added the finishing touches in the final over. The match ended after midnight, but fans watching live could barely sleep after what they had just witnessed.
3. Kings XI Punjab vs Mumbai Indians – IPL 2020
- Date: October 18, 2020
- Finish Time: After Midnight
- Venue: Dubai International Stadium
- Impact: First and only match to feature two Super Overs; KXIP kept playoff hopes alive
When Cricket Turned Into a Thriller Script
This game was cricket on steroids. Both teams were locked in at 176 after 20 overs. Then came the first Super Over. Tied. A second Super Over had to be played for the first time in IPL history.
Shami and Gayle: The Heroes in Chaos
Mohammed Shami, defending 5 runs in the first Super Over against the likes of Rohit and de Kock, bowled six pinpoint yorkers to tie the contest again, possibly the best Super Over bowling in IPL history. When the second Super Over began, it was Chris Gayle who stepped up first ball and smoked Trent Boult for a monstrous six, setting the tone. Mayank Agarwal then finished the job with a scoop that etched this match into cricketing immortality.
2. Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Titans – IPL 2025
- Date: May 30, 2025
- Finish Time: After Midnight
- Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Chandigarh
- Impact: Highest aggregate score in IPL playoff history (436 runs); MI advanced to Qualifier 2
A Boundary-Fest That Defied Logic and Sleep
This Eliminator match felt less like a cricket game and more like a fireworks display. With both teams crossing the 200-run mark, the scoreboard kept ticking, the crowd kept roaring, and the clock kept running past midnight.
Rohit Sharma: The Elder Statesman’s Masterclass
Rohit Sharma, often criticised for inconsistency in the latter IPL seasons, rolled back the years with a vintage knock of 81 off 50 balls. His innings was all class wristy flicks over square leg, lofted straight drives, and that signature pull shot that punished every short ball. It wasn’t just about the runs; it was about timing both the ball and his captaincy. Rohit marshalled the chase to perfection, rotating the strike during Rashid Khan’s overs and targeting the weaker bowlers.
The Moment of Madness
Tilak Varma and Tim David unleashed a final-overs carnage that saw Mumbai finish the chase with just 2 balls to spare, the clock striking well past midnight.
1. Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians – IPL 2025
- Date: June 1, 2025
- Finish Time: ~1:30 AM IST
- Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
- Impact: Punjab’s first entry into the IPL final since 2014; highest-ever chase in playoff history (204)
The Match That Rewrote PBKS’s Destiny
After years of heartbreak and bottom-table finishes, Punjab Kings scripted the most poetic comeback in their franchise history. Facing the five-time champions Mumbai Indians in a high-pressure Qualifier 2 in Ahmedabad, Punjab was asked to chase down 204, a daunting total under playoff pressure.
Shreyas Iyer: The Calm in the Storm
In a side filled with flamboyant stroke-makers, Shreyas Iyer stood tall with a classical yet brutal knock of 87 off 41 balls*, mixing elegant cover drives with fierce pulls. Known for his composure and mature head, Iyer orchestrated the chase like a surgeon, never letting the required rate become an emotional trigger. With every boundary, he chipped away at MI’s aura of invincibility.
Supporting Cast & Turning Point
Liam Livingstone’s 36 off 16 laid the platform, while Harshal Patel kept MI in check during death overs with his yorkers, but the night belonged to Iyer. His cover drive off Bumrah in the 18th over, both a statement and a silencer, became the symbolic blow that flattened Mumbai. The match ended at 1:30 AM, with Punjab erupting into wild celebrations. A team that had been the league’s perennial underachiever had finally booked a ticket to the final.
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