IPL or Indian Premier League is unarguably one of the biggest tournaments in world cricket. With a lot of attention growing towards IPL, it comes out as top of the T20 league. IPL has given countless moments and talents to Indian cricket. Few players have dominated this league like no other. However, in some cases, the results don’t benefit them. So, in this article, we will discuss ‘Best Knocks in Losing Cause in IPL Run Chases.’
1. Suresh Raina
Suresh Raina, nicknamed Mr. IPL, was one of the best players from Chennai Super Kings, with more than handy off-spin bowling. In a game against Chennai Super Kings in Qualifier 2 in 2014, batting in 1st innings, Kings XI Punjab piled up 226 runs on a road of a pitch with Virender Sehwag smacking a century. Chasing 227 runs, with the score reading 1-1, Raina stitched together a 66-run stand with Dwayne Smith. In his 25-ball knock, he smashed 12 boundaries and six gigantic sixes, scoring 87 runs. However, his knock was not enough to take them over the line.
2. MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni, nicknamed Mahi, was one of the best players from Chennai Super Kings, with more than handy wicket keeping skills. In a game against Chennai Super Kings in 2019, batting in 1st innings, Royal Challengers Bangalore piled up 161 runs on a tricky pitch with Parthiv Patel smacking a half-century. Chasing 162 runs, with the score reading 28-4, Dhoni stitched together a 56-run stand with Ambati Rayudu. In his 48-ball knock, he smashed five boundaries and seven gigantic sixes, scoring 84 runs. However, his knock was not enough to take them over the line as they lost on last ball.
3. Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya is one of the best players from Mumbai Indians, with more than handy medium-pace bowling. In a game against Mumbai Indian in 2019, batting in 1st innings, Kolkata Knight Riders piled up 232 runs on a road of a pitch with Andre Russell smacking a half-century. Chasing 233 runs, with the score reading 121-5, Pandya stitched together a 64-run stand with Krunal Pandya. In his 34-ball knock, he smashed six boundaries and nine gigantic sixes, scoring 91 runs. However, his knock was not enough to take them over the line.
4. Yusuf Pathan
Yusuf Pathan was one of the best players from India, with more than handy off-spin bowling. In a game against Rajasthan Royals in 2010, batting in 1st innings, Mumbai Indians piled up 212 runs on a road of a pitch with Ambati Rayudu smacking a half-century. Chasing 213 runs, with the score reading 66-4, Pathan stitched together a 107-run stand with Paras Dogra. In his 37-ball knock, he smashed nine boundaries and eight gigantic sixes, scoring 100 runs. However, his knock was not enough to take them over the line.
5. KL Rahul
KL Rahul is one of the best players from India, with more than handy batting at the top of the order. In a game against Kings XI Punjab in 2018, batting in 1st innings, Mumbai Indians piled up 186 runs on a road of a pitch with Kieron Pollard smacking a half-century. Chasing 187 runs, with the score reading 34-1, Rahul stitched together a 111-run stand with Aaron Finch. In his 60-ball knock, he smashed ten boundaries and three gigantic sixes, scoring 94 runs. However, his knock was not enough to take them over the line.
6. Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson is one of the best players from India, with more than handy batting at the top of the order. In a game against Rajasthan Royals in 2021, batting in 1st innings, Punjab Kings piled up 221 runs on a road of a pitch with KL Rahul smacking a half-century. Chasing 222 runs, with the score reading 70-3, Samson stitched together a 53-run stand with Shivam Dube. In his 63-ball knock, he smashed 12 boundaries and seven gigantic sixes, scoring 119 runs. However, his knock was not enough as he lost his wicket on last ball of 2nd innings.
7. Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell is unarguably one of the best players from Australia, with more than handy off-spin bowling. In a game against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2023, batting in 1st innings, Chennai Super Kings piled up 226 runs on a road of a pitch with Devon Conway smacking a half-century. Chasing 227 runs, with the score reading 15-2, Maxwell stitched together a 126-run stand with Faf du Plessis. In his 36-ball knock, he smashed three boundaries and eight gigantic sixes, scoring 76 runs. However, his knock was not enough to take them over the line.