IPL matches that were won by a six hit off the final ball of the match
The shortest version of cricket, T20s can change course in the space of a few deliveries. Every over bowled completes 5% of a T20 innings, thus underlining how crucial every ball in this format is, leaving nothing to be predictable.
Teams can go on to lose matches even after having dominated them for over 90% of the duration, thus making it a contest not to be watched by the weak hearts. Here is an account of the seven instances in IPL history when a team won by hitting a six off the final ball of the match (the last ball of the 20th over of the second innings).
Deccan Chargers v Kolkata Knight Riders, Johannesburg, May 16, 2009
Put into bat by Deccan Chargers’ captain Gilchrist, KKR, playing to salvage pride in an otherwise forgettable season, managed to compile a modest 160 runs on the board with useful contributions from David Hussey (43) and Brad Hodge (48).
In their reply, Deccan Chargers were going steadily before losing the plot, the equation reading 45 runs from 22 balls when Rohit Sharma came to the crease. Kolkata bowled two tight overs and with 21 required from the last over, Brendon McCullum's team were firm favourites.
Mashrafe Mortaza, playing on IPL debut, got off to the worst possible start as Rohit scored a boundary off a no ball which was called as only three fielders were inside the inner circle. Sharma and batting partner Venugopal Rao then picked two singles to bring it down to 14 from 4.
Next ball, the Hitman unveiled his batting class by clubbing Mortaza for a 115-metre-long six over mid-wicket. With 8 required off 3 balls, the Bangladesh pacer bowled a wide which Rohit followed up by scoring a couple. The Mumbaikar then creamed a four through covers and with just a single required off the last ball, only formalities needed to be completed.
Rohit Sharma, who was later adjudged Man of the Match for his 13 ball 32, hoiked a short ball over the fine leg boundary to finish the match in style and help his team take a giant stride towards the playoffs. The Chargers went on to be crowned Champions after being wooden spooners the previous season.