Whether it’s the glitz of the IPL or the prestige of a World Cup, cricket’s most unforgettable moments are often born in the crucible of pressure. These are the matches where everything is on the line—eliminators, knockout clashes, or virtual quarterfinals—where one misstep can send a team packing, and one moment of brilliance can etch a player’s name into history.
In both the IPL and world cricket, do-or-die matches have consistently produced heroes. These aren’t just players with extraordinary talent—they’re warriors who thrive when the stakes are sky-high and the pressure is unbearable. Think of MS Dhoni calmly finishing off a tense IPL chase. Think Carlos Brathwaite smashing four sixes in a World Cup final. Think Ben Stokes is willing England to their first ODI World Cup title. These aren’t just performances—they’re turning points in cricket folklore.
This blog celebrates those special individuals—the Top 5 Players Who Delivered Under Pressure in Do-or-Die Matches, across both the IPL and the international arena. From last-over finishes to high-octane centuries in must-win games, these are the moments that define careers and inspire generations. Let’s relive the brilliance of cricket’s ultimate clutch performers.
5. Rahul Tewatia – IPL 2020 vs Kings XI Punjab
Match Context: Rajasthan Royals were chasing 224 – a virtual elimination game.
What Happened: Tewatia had pressure at one point with 8 off 19 balls, then turned it around by smashing 5 sixes in one Sheldon Cottrell over, turning the tide completely.
Why It Stands Out: Tewatia’s comeback from a painfully slow start to a match-winning blitz was one of the most dramatic redemption arcs in IPL history.
4. Ben Stokes – 2019 World Cup Final vs New Zealand
Match Context: England were chasing 242 in a World Cup final at Lord’s.
What Happened: Stokes scored an unbeaten 84, dragged the match into a Super Over, and then contributed again to secure England’s first-ever ODI World Cup title.
Why It Stands Out: With the entire nation watching and history on the line, Stokes’ gritty innings under pressure were a perfect mix of resilience, skill, and nerves of steel.
3. Shubman Gill – 2023 IPL Qualifier 2 vs Mumbai Indians
Match Context: Gujarat Titans needed a big total to outgun MI and reach the final.
What Happened: Gill smashed a jaw-dropping 129 off 60 balls, his third century in four matches, setting up a dominant win for GT.
Why It Stands Out: In a virtual knockout, Gill rose to the occasion with perhaps the best IPL knock of 2023, showing maturity beyond his years.
2. Carlos Brathwaite – 2016 T20 World Cup Final
Match Context: West Indies needed 19 runs in the final over against England to win the World Cup.
What Happened: Brathwaite hit four consecutive sixes off Ben Stokes to win the title for West Indies.
Why It Stands Out: Delivering a world title with four straight sixes in the final over is the stuff of legends. Brathwaite etched his name in history with one of the most clutch performances ever.
1. MS Dhoni – 2016 IPL vs Kings XI Punjab
Match Context: Rising Pune Supergiants needed a win to stay in contention for the playoffs.
What Happened: Chasing 173, RPS needed 23 runs in the final over. MS Dhoni, calm as ever, scored 22 runs in the last 5 balls, including a last-ball six, sealing an iconic victory.
Why It Stands Out: It wasn’t just a match-saving innings; it was a masterclass in composure and finishing. Dhoni’s ability to absorb pressure and then explode is unparalleled.
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