Unforgettable Last-Over Finishes in IPL History

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is cricket’s ultimate stage for high-octane drama. When a T20 match boils down to the final over—only six balls left, with runs still to get and wickets in hand—you can sense the tension crackling in the stadium air. Players become heroes or villains in a matter of deliveries. Crowd roars or gasps accompany every run taken or ball bowled.

Over its history, the IPL has gifted fans countless nail-biting finishes, but it’s those last-over epics that leave an enduring mark in our memories. Here are eight such moments, each etched into IPL folklore for its sheer intensity and unpredictability.

Since launching in 2008, the IPL has transformed how cricket is perceived globally—cranking up the energy, the glamour, and, most notably, the pressure-cooker endings where entire seasons hinge on a single ball. Between multi-million-dollar talents and young underdogs, T20 matches in the IPL can swing wildly in a matter of deliveries.

At no time is this more apparent than in the final over, when all strategies and earlier overs fade in significance, overshadowed by pure nerve, skill, and adrenaline. Over the years, we’ve seen improbable chases, heartbreaks, miracle wickets, and last-ball sixes, culminating in fans perched on the edge of their seats (or throwing them in the air!). This list reveals those final-over finishes that continue to be replayed, recounted, and revered long after the tournament ends.

1. Rinku Singh’s Five Sixes – KKR vs Gujarat Titans (2023)

KKR Needed 29 Off The Last Over

• Match Context: In a group-stage fixture between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Gujarat Titans, the chase looked impossible as KKR required 29 runs from the final over—a near-insurmountable target in T20 cricket.

• Innings Twist: As if fate had scripted it, Rinku Singh stepped in after top-order collapses but with the scoreboard showing a mountainous equation. When the over began, few believed KKR had a shot.

• Historic Finish: Then came five consecutive sixes—an onslaught that almost defied logic. Bowler Yash Dayal tried everything: slower deliveries, wide yorkers, back-of-length balls. Rinku dispatched each one either over mid-wicket or straight down the ground.

• Fan Euphoria: Spectators could scarcely believe it. Commentators scrambled for superlatives. By the time the final six soared into the stands, KKR players erupted.

• Aftermath: Rinku Singh’s name trended across social media, and the video of his ballistic finishing spree racked up millions of views. He not only etched his name among IPL’s greatest finishes but also underlined T20 cricket’s unpredictability: no total is safe if a batsman is in the zone.

Why It’s Unforgettable: Pulling off 29 from the final six balls is rare enough. Doing it with five consecutive sixes is the stuff of fantasy. For neutral fans, it was a joyous reminder of T20’s potential for last-gasp resurrections.

2. Mumbai Indians Win by 1 Run – Final vs CSK (2019)

Lasith Malinga Defends 9 Runs in the Final Over

• High-Stakes Match: The 2019 IPL final pitted cricket’s two biggest giants—Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK)—in a blockbuster showdown. Tied with three titles each, both teams sought to become the first to claim a fourth championship.

• Last Over Tension: CSK needed 9 runs from 6 balls with the fearsome Shane Watson well-set at the crease. MI captain Rohit Sharma turned to Lasith Malinga, the death-over legend.

• Ball-by-Ball Drama: Watson ran himself out at a crucial moment, intensifying the tension. Even so, CSK required just 2 off the last ball—an equation that usually favours the batting side.

• Final Delivery: Malinga unleashed a pinpoint slower-ball yorker to trap Shardul Thakur LBW. It was a dagger to CSK’s hopes, granting MI a heart-stopping 1-run victory.

• Celebrations: Pandemonium erupted. MI players sprinted in delirious joy, while CSK’s fan base was left in stunned disbelief. This final showcased T20’s razor-thin margins: 240 balls had been bowled, yet it all came down to one.

Why It’s Unforgettable: A single run decided the IPL trophy in arguably the decade’s most nerve-shredding final. Malinga’s last ball LBW remains a testament to how one perfect delivery can make or break an entire season.

3. Rajasthan Royals Win the Inaugural Final – RR vs CSK (2008)

8 Runs Needed in the Final Over of the First-Ever IPL Final

• Historic Context: The inaugural IPL final in 2008 already carried massive significance. The underdog Rajasthan Royals (RR), led by Shane Warne, had defied expectations all season, topping the league and blazing a trail with innovative strategies.

• The Finish: Requiring 8 runs in the last over to beat a strong CSK side, RR pinned their hopes on Warne and Sohail Tanvir. Tension soared; remember, no one had witnessed a T20 league final quite like this yet.

• Steely Resolve: Despite CSK having proven death bowlers, Warne and Tanvir remained cool under pressure. A couple of boundaries—and some canny running—saw them reach the target with a ball to spare.

• Immediate Legacy: This thrilling finish capped an improbable RR triumph, reinforcing the notion that T20 is unpredictable, where big names and budgets don’t always equate to titles. Warne’s leadership and the final’s last-over excitement firmly established the IPL as a multi-faceted spectacle.

Why It’s Unforgettable: The romance of the first IPL final resonates to this day. For the Royals to snatch victory in the dying moments confirmed that the new league was destined for drama of the highest order.

4. Dhoni’s Heroics Fall Short – CSK vs RCB (2019)

CSK Needed 26 Off the Last Over

• The Plot: When MS Dhoni is at the crease, no chase is unattainable—at least that’s the belief of CSK fans. Facing Royal Challengers Bangalore, Dhoni found his team behind the required rate, needing a near miracle: 26 runs from the final 6 balls.

• MS Dhoni’s Onslaught: As if switching into ‘beast mode’, Dhoni hammered Umesh Yadav for 4s and 6s. Ball by ball, the improbable target shrank, the crowd volume soared.

• 1 Run Needed, 1 Ball Left: The match hung in the balance. Unbelievably, Dhoni missed the final ball, and Parthiv Patel’s direct hit ran out Shardul Thakur, awarding RCB a 1-run win.

• Emotional Aftermath: While RCB fans rejoiced, neutral observers marvelled at Dhoni’s near come-from-behind rescue. Even in defeat, this cameo exemplified Dhoni’s legendary finishing and ice-cool demeanour, overshadowing the heartbreak of falling short.

Why It’s Unforgettable: It’s a rare instance where Dhoni’s final-over fireworks didn’t result in a win, but ironically, it emphasised just how close he always takes it. The heartbreak only intensified the match’s highlight-reel status.

5. Mitchell Johnson’s Nerve – Mumbai Indians vs Rising Pune Supergiant (2017 Final)

RPS Needed 11 Off the Final Over

• Championship Showdown: The 2017 final pitted Mumbai Indians against the Rising Pune Supergiant. Pune had the momentum throughout much of the match, setting up a seemingly comfortable chase.

• Last-Over Tension: Requiring 11 runs off the last over, RPS had established batsmen at the crease. MI handed the ball to Mitchell Johnson, a bowler with big-match experience but also capable of leaking runs.

• Johnson Delivers: In a display of composure, Johnson nipped out a wicket early in the over. His pinpoint yorkers made scoring boundaries challenging. Despite a last-ball scenario, RPS ended up 1 run short.

• Third Title for MI: Mumbai Indians celebrated an unprecedented third IPL crown, an achievement that put them atop the league’s hierarchy at the time. Johnson’s final over proved the difference, overshadowing Pune’s strong tournament run.

Why It’s Unforgettable: A champion’s poise under pressure. Johnson’s calmness in the face of well-set batters exemplified how a single over can define a season’s narrative. For MI, it confirmed their status as the IPL’s powerhouse.

6. Dhoni’s Classic Finish – CSK vs KXIP (2010)

CSK Chasing 193, Needed 16 in the Last Over

• High-Scoring Thriller: In 2010, Chennai Super Kings set out to chase a towering total of 193 against Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). The match was a run-fest, with both sides posting big scores.

• The Dhoni Factor: Come the last over, 16 runs were still required—no easy ask. But MS Dhoni relishes such scenarios. Facing Irfan Pathan, Dhoni hammered two sixes in quick succession to seal the chase with 2 balls remaining.

• Legacy Defined: This finishing cameo became iconic. Dhoni’s pumping fists and roar at the end signalled an emotional outpouring, symbolising how essential that win was for CSK’s momentum that season, which eventually ended in a trophy.

• Technique & Temperament: The manner in which he shifted gears mid-over emphasised Dhoni’s hallmark finishing brand—calm, clinical, explosive at the death.

Why It’s Unforgettable: Dhoni’s flamboyant flourish and raw emotion are etched into the minds of CSK fans, representing his trademark finishing style that cements him among T20’s greatest closers.

7. Rohit Sharma Finishes in Style – Deccan Chargers vs Delhi Daredevils (2009)

DC Needed 15 Off the Final Over

• Context: Before he led Mumbai Indians to glory, Rohit Sharma plied his trade for the Deccan Chargers. In the 2009 IPL, the Chargers sought to topple the formidable Delhi Daredevils, chasing a stiff target.

• Last Over Equation: Requiring 15 runs off 6 balls was no guarantee, especially in that era. But a young Rohit Sharma, already brimming with natural talent, rose to the occasion.

• Calm Under Pressure: Rohit showcased finishing prowess well before he became MI’s captain. He attacked from ball one, striking boundaries and ensuring DC got home with a ball to spare.

• Significance: This cameo indicated the potential T20 star Rohit would eventually become—someone with immaculate timing, the ability to read bowlers, and a level-headed approach to tight run-chases.

Why It’s Unforgettable: In hindsight, it was one of the earliest glimpses of Rohit’s finishing skill that would blossom at Mumbai Indians. For Deccan fans, it remains a cherished memory of an unpredictable but thrilling season.

8. Rahul Tewatia’s Redemption – RR vs KXIP (2020)

RR Chasing 224, Tewatia Struggles Then Shines

• Mammoth Target: Rajasthan Royals faced a mammoth chase of 224 against Kings XI Punjab in Sharjah, known for short boundaries but still a daunting task.

• Tewatia’s Wobbly Start: Promoted up the order, Tewatia was initially stuck, failing to time the ball and looking out of place. Fans groaned; commentators questioned the strategy.

• Incredible Turnaround: Suddenly, Tewatia found his range, hitting 5 sixes in an over off Sheldon Cottrell. Those monstrous blows swung the momentum irreversibly towards RR.

• Sealing the Thriller: Tewatia ended with a crucial cameo that overshadowed early struggles, handing Rajasthan an astonishing 4-wicket victory.

• Comeback Symbol: This remains one of the greatest in-game turnarounds. Tewatia taught a universal lesson—never give up, even if the run rate soars and confidence dips.

Why It’s Unforgettable: Tewatia’s redemption arc from near villain to match-winning hero in the span of one over epitomises the rollercoaster nature of T20 cricket. The emotional seesaw had fans losing hope one minute and cheering ecstatically the next.

Conclusion: The Final Over is the IPL’s Signature Move

In the IPL, no lead is unassailable and no chase is out of reach until that last ball is bowled. Over the years, final-over finishes have become the hallmark of this league’s unpredictability—turning ordinary matches into legends fans talk about for seasons. Whether it’s Rinku Singh obliterating five sixes in a row, Dhoni’s repeated last-ball heroics, or a bowler like Malinga or Johnson nailing a perfect yorker under intense pressure, these moments shape the tournament’s identity.

For viewers, such climaxes personify T20’s brilliance: rapid twists, emotional extremes, and the sheer talent required to triumph in the face of improbable odds. It’s why so many people around the globe tune in, engrossed by the possibility that any match could become a classic in the final six deliveries.

These eight last-over finishes aren’t just stories of victory and defeat; they’re testaments to human skill, grit, and an unwavering will to win. They reflect the reason why the IPL remains the world’s premier T20 competition. And as each new season dawns, fans can’t help but wonder: who will produce the next iconic final-over finish?

What’s your favourite last-over thriller? Share in the comments and keep the conversation alive—there’s nothing quite like reliving those heart-stopping, pulse-pounding final moments!