Unique records are what truly set the Indian Premier League (IPL) apart from any other cricketing tournament in the world. While fans are well-versed in mind-blowing centuries, nail-biting finishes, and sixes that soar beyond imagination, the real charm often lies in the lesser-known, extraordinary feats that slip under the radar. Over the years, the IPL has delivered blockbuster entertainment, creating legends, unearthing future stars, and serving up drama that rivals any Bollywood script. But beyond the glitz of Orange Caps, Purple Caps, and mainstream milestones lies a fascinating world of rare, quirky, and downright bizarre statistics that only the keenest followers might know — until now.
While most fans can easily recall who’s hit the most sixes or bowled the fastest deliveries, the IPL’s real magic lies in the unexpected. We’re talking about over-the-top overs that defy logic, stumpings quicker than the blink of an eye, hat-tricks wrapped in chaos, and players who have quietly etched their names into the record books without the usual fanfare. This article dives into the lesser-known corners of IPL history to uncover five unique records that will leave you both surprised and impressed.
5. MS Dhoni’s Lightning Stumping in 0.1 Seconds
- Match: CSK vs KXIP, IPL 2018
- Batsman Dismissed: Shubman Gill
- Stumping Time: 0.1 seconds
If there’s one player synonymous with lightning reflexes, it’s Mahendra Singh Dhoni. In an IPL 2018 match, he completed a stumping so fast that technology could barely keep up. The ball was bowled by Ravindra Jadeja, and as soon as it spun past Shubman Gill’s bat, Dhoni whipped off the bails in an astonishing 0.1 seconds. This stumping is officially recognised as one of the fastest in T20 cricket history, and the fastest in IPL.
Why it’s unique:
- Most stumpings happen in 0.3–0.5 seconds. 0.1 seconds is virtually a reflex action.
- Reinforces why Dhoni is called “Captain Cool” and “Thala” — calm yet deadly fast.
4. Imran Tahir: Purple Cap Winner Without Playing Every Match
- Team: Chennai Super Kings
- Season: IPL 2019
- Wickets Taken: 26
- Matches Played: 17
Imran Tahir, the South African leg-spinner, had a phenomenal season in 2019, where he won the Purple Cap for most wickets. What makes this feat remarkable is that Tahir wasn’t CSK’s first-choice spinner in every match. He was often rotated with Harbhajan Singh or Mitchell Santner, depending on pitch conditions. Yet, in just 17 games, Tahir scalped 26 wickets — beating even bowlers who played the full quota of 18–19 matches that season.
Why it’s unique:
- It’s a rare instance where a player won the Purple Cap despite being rotated and not a consistent starter.
- Showcased Tahir’s strike-rate excellence and ability to turn games quickly.
3. Kieron Pollard: The Toss Leader Who Wasn’t Captain
- Team: Mumbai Indians
- Years Active in Role: 2013–2021
- Number of Tosses as Stand-In Captain: 10+ (approx.)
Kieron Pollard, a legendary all-rounder for the Mumbai Indians, was never the official full-season captain for the franchise. Yet, due to the frequent absences of Rohit Sharma (owing to injury or rotation), Pollard often stepped in as the on-field leader. He’s known to have walked in for the pre-match toss over 10 times, a remarkably high number for someone who never held the official title of team captain for a full season.
Why it’s unique:
- Pollard unofficially led MI more than many appointed captains from other teams.
- No other non-designated IPL captain has walked in for toss duties so many times.
2. Amit Mishra’s Hat-Trick with Illegal Deliveries
- Match: Delhi Daredevils vs Deccan Chargers, IPL 2008
- Venue: Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
- Wickets: Ravi Teja, RP Singh, Pragyan Ojha
Amit Mishra, one of the IPL’s most underrated performers, holds the quirky distinction of taking a hat-trick that included illegal deliveries. In a dramatic 20th over, Mishra conceded: a no-ball, a wide and still managed to take three wickets in the same over. This chaotic but brilliant over resulted in a match-winning hat-trick — and a moment of IPL history that is easily forgotten amidst glossier milestones.
Why it’s unique:
- First and only IPL hat-trick involving both a no-ball and a wide.
- Showcased both the unpredictability of T20 cricket and Mishra’s composure under pressure.
1. Ravindra Jadeja’s 37-Run Over – The Highest in IPL History
- Match: Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, IPL 2021
- Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- Bowler Smashed: Harshal Patel
- Runs Scored: 37 in a single over
In one of the most jaw-dropping moments in IPL history, Ravindra Jadeja unleashed his batting prowess on April 25, 2021, by smashing Harshal Patel for 37 runs in the final over of CSK’s innings. The over included: 6, 6 (no-ball), 6, 2, 6, 6, 4. While 36 runs in an over is a known record (thanks to Yuvraj Singh’s 6 sixes in T20I cricket), Jadeja took it a notch higher due to the extra run from the no-ball, making it 37 — the most expensive over in IPL history.
Why it’s unique:
- This feat isn’t just about brute hitting. It involved a no-ball, smart running, and clinical placement, making it one of the rare instances of scoring so many without purely relying on boundaries.
- Jadeja remains the only player in IPL to hit 37 runs in one over, a record still unbroken.
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