The Indian Premier League (IPL) is not just a tournament; it’s a spectacle where records are rewritten and history is made with almost every match. Among the most thrilling aspects of T20 cricket are the high-voltage run chases. Over the years, the IPL has witnessed some astonishing chases that left fans on the edge of their seats. From nerve-wracking last-over finishes to towering sixes under pressure, chasing down massive totals is a true test of a team’s character and batting firepower.
Here’s a look at the Top 5 Successful Run Chases in IPL History.
5. Mumbai Indians (219/6) vs Chennai Super Kings – IPL 2021
- Venue: Delhi, Arun Jaitely Stadium
- Date: May 1, 2021
This high-octane clash between MI and CSK had all the makings of a classic. Batting first, Chennai piled up 218/4 with fiery knocks from Ambati Rayudu (72* off 27), Faf du Plessis, and Moeen Ali. Mumbai, in reply, looked shaky until Kieron Pollard played one of the greatest T20 knocks ever. Pollard hammered 87 off 34 balls*, including 8 sixes, powering MI to a jaw-dropping win off the last ball in this run chase. The West Indian powerhouse took apart CSK’s bowlers with brute force, sealing one of the most dramatic wins in IPL history.
Key Performers:
- Kieron Pollard – 87* (34)
- Rohit Sharma – 35 (24)
- Hardik Pandya – 16 (7)
4. Rajasthan Royals (224/2) vs Kolkata Knight Riders – IPL 2024
- Venue: Kolkata, Eden Gardens
- Date: April 16, 2024
This chase saw the joint-highest target successfully chased in IPL history. KKR posted a colossal 223/6, riding on Sunil Narine’s astonishing century (109 off 56). The Rajasthan Royals, though, had their magician in Jos Buttler, who was in sublime touch. Buttler blazed his way to 107 off 60 balls, anchoring the chase beautifully. With support from Rovman Powell and Dhruv Jurel, the Royals chased down the total on the last ball, finishing at 224/2.
Key Performers:
- Jos Buttler – 107 (60)
- Rovman Powell – 26* (13)
- Dhruv Jurel – 26* (12)
3. Rajasthan Royals (226/6) vs Punjab Kings – IPL 2020
- Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium
- Date: September 27, 2020
In what remains arguably the greatest run chase in IPL history, the Rajasthan Royals pulled off a miracle against Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab). Punjab posted a mammoth 223/2, courtesy of Mayank Agarwal’s blistering century (106 off 50 balls). The target looked insurmountable, but the Royals had other plans. Sanju Samson’s 85 off 42 set the tone, but the game changed when Rahul Tewatia, struggling at one point with 8 off 19 balls, exploded. In the 18th over, he smashed Sheldon Cottrell for five sixes, turning the game around completely. Royals reached the target with 3 balls to spare, finishing at 226/6, recording the highest successful run chase in IPL history.
Key Performers:
- Sanju Samson – 85 (42)
- Rahul Tewatia – 53 (31)
- Steven Smith – 50 (27)
2. Sunrisers Hyderabad (250/2) vs Punjab Kings – IPL 2025
- Venue: Hyderabad, Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium
- Date: April 12, 2025
In one of the most recent and jaw-dropping run chases, Sunrisers Hyderabad stunned everyone by chasing 246, the second-highest successful chase in IPL as of 2025. Batting first, Punjab Kings—under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer—put up a commanding 245/6, powered by Iyer’s incredible knock of 82 off 36 balls. But SRH’s reply was a batting tsunami. Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head opened with utter destruction, adding 171 in just 75 balls. Head was eventually dismissed for 66, but Abhishek continued the carnage, notching up 141 off 55 balls, one of the greatest knocks in a chase. Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan ensured a clinical finish as Hyderabad crossed the line in 18.3 overs, losing just two wickets.
Key Performers:
- Abhishek Sharma – 141 (55)
- Travis Head – 66 (34)
- Heinrich Klaasen – 24* (10)
1. Punjab Kings (262/2) vs Kolkata Knight Riders – IPL 2024
- Venue: Kolkata, Eden Gardens
- Date: April 26, 2024
This epic encounter between the Punjab Kings and the Kolkata Knight Riders etched itself in history as the highest successful run chase in IPL history. KKR had put up a colossal 261/6 on the board, thanks to fiery knocks from Phil Salt (75 off 37) and Sunil Narine (71 off 32). Most teams would have folded under such pressure, but Punjab Kings produced a batting masterclass. Jonny Bairstow led the charge with an explosive century – 108 off 48 balls, tearing apart KKR’s bowling attack with sheer power. He found the perfect partner in Shashank Singh, who smashed 68 off 28 with audacious strokeplay. The duo’s fearless approach meant Punjab raced to 262/2 in just 18.4 overs, making this a truly historic run chase.
Key Performers:
- Jonny Bairstow – 108 (48)
- Shashank Singh – 68* (28)
- Prabhsimran Singh – 54 (20)
These epic chases reflect how the IPL is not just about high scores, but the thrill of overhauling daunting targets under pressure. Whether it’s Pollard’s brute force, Buttler’s class, or Tewatia’s resilience, these moments have redefined the art of chasing in T20 cricket. With batting firepower increasing each season, we’re sure to witness even more incredible run chases in the years to come.
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