IPL 2017: Top 5 lowest team totals in IPL history
After nine successful years of Indian Premier League (IPL), the T20 tournament is no less than a festival in India. With IPL 2017 scheduled to begin from April 5th, cricketers, franchises and, of course, the cricket fans have been gearing up for the entertainment coming up in the next one and a half months.
In the last nine years, the IPL has witnessed numerous changes; several new faces have joined the IPL family, while many left too – Pune Warriors, Kochi Tuskers, and Deccan Chargers are no longer a part of the league, while new entrants Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rising Pune Supergiants and Gujarat Lions have made a special place in the IPL. Former IPL champions, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals have been suspended for two years due to the IPL 2013 betting scandal.
Regardless of the changes that have been happening with every passing season, the enthusiasm for the game of cricket has been retained every year.
IPL being played in the shortest format focuses on the hard hitters. The most loved games are either when the total goes beyond 200 or a match when an excellent bowling restricts a team under 100.
Let’s recall the top five lowest team totals in IPL history:
#5 Chennai Super Kings (79) vs Mumbai Indians
In Mumbai Indians’ home game against Chennai Super Kings in 2013, Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bat first. MS Dhoni, as expected, threw the ball to spinner Ravindra Jadeja, and medium pacer Mohit Sharma was the bowler from the other end.
The hosts were off to a great start – Dwayne Smith and Tendulkar piled up 40 runs for the opening wicket before the latter was trapped leg before wicket by Jadeja.
The next breakthrough was made by Dwayne Bravo when he caught and bowled his countryman, Smith, in the eighth over. After Mumbai’s top-order was dismissed early in the innings, Captain Rohit stepped up and remained unbeaten on 39 off 30 balls. He helped his team set CSK a target of 140 in 20 overs.
The likes of Mitchell Johnson and Pragyan Ojha led Mumbai’s bowling attack. The two picked three wickets apiece as the visitors were bowled out for their lowest IPL total, 79 runs in 15.2 overs. Chennai’s key batsmen like Raina, Vijay, Dhoni, Mike Hussey and Bravo were dismissed cheaply leading to Chennai’s collapse.