There’s a special kind of magic when a cricket match goes down to the last ball — it’s where strategy meets nerves, where heroes are made, and where cricket fans live their most unforgettable moments. And when it’s the Indian Premier League (IPL), the drama is amplified tenfold.
Over the years, the IPL has gifted us jaw-dropping spectacles — from unthinkable heists to nerve-shredding heartbreaks. But some of the most emotionally charged games have been those where the outcome hinged on the very last delivery. Whether it’s a six off the final ball, a last-ball wicket, or a Super Over tie, these nail-biters have become part of IPL folklore.
In this blog, we relive the Top 5 Most Dramatic Last-Ball Finishes in IPL history — games that had fans on the edge of their seats, players under crushing pressure, and commentary boxes going berserk.
5. CSK vs PBKS – 2010: Dhoni’s Trademark Finish
- Venue: HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala
- Date: April 18, 2010
- Result: CSK won by 6 wickets
Chasing 193 in a must-win game to stay alive in the tournament, Chennai Super Kings needed 16 off the last over. MS Dhoni, calm as ever, launched Irfan Pathan for two thunderous sixes, finishing the game with a last-ball boundary. His celebration — a rare fist-pump and helmet throw — showed how much it meant. That finish not only took CSK to the playoffs but eventually to their first-ever IPL title.
4. GT vs SRH – 2022: Rashid Khan’s Last-Ball Six
- Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- Date: April 27, 2022
- Result: Gujarat Titans won by 5 wickets
Gujarat Titans needed 22 off the last over against Sunrisers Hyderabad. All hope seemed lost until Rashid Khan, known more for his leg-spin than big hits, smashed three sixes, including one off the last ball, to seal an improbable win. Rahul Tewatia and Rashid formed one of the most unlikely finishing duos ever. It was a classic T20 heist, engineered with nerves of steel.
3. RCB vs PUNJAB – 2016: The Gayle-Stoinis Duel
- Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
- Date: May 18, 2016
- Result: RCB won by 1 run (DLS Method)
Though truncated due to rain, this 15-over game was nothing short of a thriller. Batting first, RCB smashed 211/3. Punjab’s Marcus Stoinis and Axar Patel almost chased it down. Needing 5 off the last ball, a brilliant effort from AB de Villiers on the boundary turned a sure six into just two runs. The game might have lasted just over an hour, but it was packed with more twists than a full-length blockbuster.
2. RR vs KKR – 2009 Super Over Finish
- Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
- Date: April 23, 2009
- Result: Rajasthan Royals won in a Super Over
After both teams ended their 20 overs with identical scores of 150, the match went into a rare Super Over, the first in IPL history. The drama peaked when Kamran Khan defended against KKR’s top hitters. In a tournament struggling for high-octane moments in South Africa, this game revived the buzz and showed just how unpredictable the IPL could be. Rajasthan eventually clinched it, but KKR’s heartbreak was historic.
1. MI vs CSK – 2019 Final: The Ultimate Cliffhanger
- Venue: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
- Date: May 12, 2019
- Result: Mumbai Indians won by 1 run
In what remains the most dramatic IPL final ever, Mumbai Indians edged past Chennai Super Kings by just one run, and that too off the final delivery. Chasing 150, CSK looked on course thanks to Shane Watson’s valiant 80, but Lasith Malinga’s nerveless last over turned the tide. With 2 runs needed off the last ball, Malinga trapped Shardul Thakur LBW with a perfect slower yorker. A title was decided on the last ball. It doesn’t get tighter than this.
Stats Table
| Match | Date | Venue | Result | Last-Ball Scenario | Match Type | Winning Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MI vs CSK (Final) | May 12, 2019 | Hyderabad | MI won by 1 run | Malinga LBW to Thakur | IPL Final | Mumbai Indians |
| RR vs KKR | April 23, 2009 | Cape Town | Dhoni hit 4 off the last ball to win | Match tied, Super Over decider | Group Stage | Rajasthan Royals |
| RCB vs PUNJAB | May 18, 2016 | Bengaluru | RCB won by 1 run (DLS) | Rashid Khan hit 6 off the last ball | Group Stage | Royal Challengers Bangalore |
| GT vs SRH | April 27, 2022 | Mumbai | GT won by 5 wickets | Dhoni hit 4 off lthe ast ball to win | Group Stage | Gujarat Titans |
| CSK vs PBKS | April 18, 2010 | Dharamsala | CSK won by 6 wickets | RR won in a Super Over | Group Stage | Chennai Super Kings |
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