Epic Encounters in IPL: Victory by just 1 run.

Here are all the teams in IPL, who have won the most number of matches with a mere difference of 1 run, while defending their target.  

There have been many great and nail-biting matches in the history of IPL. In order to win a match like that, sometimes, the team or the franchise needs to get a favour by luck along with playing good cricket throughout the match. Restricting the opponents to score more than them is not an easy task, the whole team needs to hold their nerves till the end. Here are some matches in which winners were not decided till the end of the match and  at the end it was the defending team who remained composed and resulted in winning the match. 

Teams and their Captains to win the most number of matches by 1 run.

Mumbai Indians (MI) have won 3 matches. {Rohit Sharma}

MI vs Pune Warriors 2012. In this match, Mumbai set a small target of 120 runs but while defending it was Lasith Malinga and Harbhajan Singh who restricted Pune at a score of 119 runs, resulting as Mumbai Indians won by 1 run. 

MI vs RPS 2017 (Finals). It was the final night when Rohit Sharma proved himself as a great captain as he defended the lowest target ever in the history of IPL finals. After losing every hope, Mumbai made a comeback against RPS and it resulted in Mumbai winning their third title. With the help of Krunal Pandya’s 47 run innings Mumbai reached 129 runs. While chasing a small target, Steve Smith and Ajinkya Rahane started well but after the wicket of Steve Smith, Pune collapsed and Mumbai won by 1 run. 

MI vs CSK 2019 (Finals). The stage for the finals was set for the el-classico between Rohit and Dhoni. While batting first, Mumbai scored 149/8 and when Chennai came to chase the target they started off well. It seemed to be an easy run-chase because of Shane Watson but it was the last over when Malinga made comeback for Mumbai and luck favoured the side of Mumbai and they won their 4th title by crushing CSK in the finals again. 

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have also won 3 matches. {Virat Kohli}

RCB vs PBKS 2016. The 39th match of IPL 2016 resulted in the favour of RCB as they defeated Punjab by just 1 run. While batting first, RCB put up a score of 175/6 and while chasing it Murli Vijay gave a flying start but at the end they ended up in a losing cause.  

RCB vs CSK 2019. At chinnaswamy, RCB batted first and got up to the total of 161/7. Shorter boundaries help batsmans at chinnaswamy specially while chasing. But, there was a twist as Dale Steyn gave RCB a superb start by dismissing Watson and Raina in back to back balls. Dhoni almost pulled this match away from the grasp of Bengaluru, but at the last ball when just 2 was required, Dhoni missed the ball and Parthiv Patel’s perfect throw dismissed the runner and resulted in a famous win for RCB at the end. 

RCB vs DC 2021. RCB won their third match by 1 run against Delhi in 2021. Batting First,  RCB scored 171/5 and DC could only manage to score 170 at the end. In this match, A B Devillires was chosen man of the match for his exceptional knock of 75 runs off 42 balls.

Punjab have won 2 matches by 1 run-mark. {Yuvaraj Singh}

PBKS vs MI 2008. This was the first time when any team would have won by 1 run. Batting first Punjab held a big target of 190 but though after a great start by  Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya they managed to score 188 which resulted at the end in favour of Punjab.

PBKS vs Deccan Chargers 2009. The second time also luck favoured the side of Punjab as they again successfully defended their low target of 135 against Deccan chargers in the 49th match of 2009.

Delhi Capitals have won 1 game. {Virender Sehwag}

DC vs RR 2012. Delhi defended their target of 152 against Rajasthan in the 39th match of 2012 edition. Rajasthan scored 1 run short though losing only 3 wickets and after a great innings by Ajinkya Rahane of 84 runs. 

Chennai Super Kings have also won a match by 1 run. {M S Dhoni}

CSK vs DC 2015. Chennai defended their target of 151 runs at their homeground against Delhi in the 2nd match of IPL 2015. Ashish Nehra proved himself as a hero while defending the target as he bagged 3 wickets at the economy of only 6.25 .

Gujarat Lions won 1 match. {Suresh Raina}

GL vs DC 2016. While batting first, Gujarat scored a good target of 172 runs against Delhi in the 23rd match of IPL 2016. Delhi came just short by a run while chasing it though after a great knock by Chris Morris of 82 runs in just 32 balls. It was Dwayne Bravo for Gujarat who bagged 4 important wickets and led his team to win this thriller. 

Lucknow Super Giants won 1 match. {K L Rahul}

LSG vs KKR 2023. Lucknow somehow managed to defend their target of 177 and restricted Kolkata at 175 although after the heroics of Rinku Singh in the death overs. Rinku Singh slammed Yash Thakur in the last over scoring 19 runs when 21 was required.  

Kolkata Knight Riders won 1 match. {Shreyas Iyer}

KKR vs RCB 2024. Crushing RCB’s last hope for qualifying, KKR defended their target of 223 and restricted Bengaluru at 221. The game was revived by Karn Sharma at the last over as he slammed Mitchell Starc 3 sixes in one over but at the end it was KKR who were favoured by luck. 

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