We rarely used to see a successful run chase before the arrival of IPL, which has made it look easier than defending a total. But trust me, chasing a high or even an average total is never an easy task, and successfully guiding your team to it an even difficult one. But time and again, players have made it seem effortless in the history of IPL. Some have even individually guided their teams to seemingly impossible victories. Now, I can’t enlighten you about all of them, but I can throw some light on some best. So without further delay, let’s look at the five best IPL innings in a successful run chase.
It is difficult to pick five particular innings from so many sensational innings, but I have listed what I think are the best IPL innings in a successful run chase. These are:
#5 Shikhar Dhawan 92(49) v PBKS:
After getting a good start with some help from Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan continued to deal in boundaries while chasing 196. Playing for Delhi Capitals, Dhawan scored 92 off 49 deliveries to help DC win comfortably against Punjab Kings.
Dhawan had hit thirteen fours and two sixes in his innings but got out in the 15th over after setting up a platform for DC to win the game. Thanks to his innings, DC easily beat PBKS by six wickets with ten balls to spare. Dhawan won the player of the match award for his match-winning knock.
#4 Kieron Pollard 83(31) v KXIP:
This fast-paced innings of Kieron Pollard helped Mumbai Indians clinch a last-ball thriller in the 24th match of IPL 2019 against Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). Chasing a massive target of 198, Pollard walked into bat in the eighth over, when MI needed 142 more runs off 74 balls.
With wickets falling from the other hand, he scored a quick 83 off just 31 deliveries before getting out in the final over with just four required from four deliveries. Kieron Pollard smashed ten sixes in his innings along with three fours and won the player of the match award in MI’s last-ball win.
#3 Virat Kohli 108*(58) v RPS:
Except for the title, IPL 2016 was entirely the season of Virat Kohli. He isn’t called the Chase Master for no reason, and he showed that with his inning against Rising Pune Supergiants. Kohli hit his second century of the season and helped Royal Challengers Bangalore chase 192 in the 35th match of the season.
Virat scored an unbeaten 108 from 58 balls. In this innings, he smashed eight fours and seven sixes. His innings helped RCB win the match by seven wickets with three balls to spare. Virat Kohli won the player of the match award for his chase masterclass.
#2 Corey Anderson – 95*(44) v RR:
This innings from Corey Anderson earns him second spot on this list because of the circumstances that it came in. In the final league match of IPL 2014 between Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals, MI had to chase 190 in 14.3 overs to qualify for the playoffs.
Corey Anderson’s unbeaten 95 from 44 balls helped them equal the 189 of RR. Then a six from Aditya Tare sealed the playoff spot for MI. In his innings of 95, Anderson hit nine fours and six sixes. He also won the player of the match award in this unbelievable victory of MI.
#1 Paul Valthaty – 120*(63) v CSK:
Paul Valthaty gave a glimpse of the hitting abilities that Indian youngsters possess with his unbeaten innings of 120. With this inning, he registered the highest individual score in a successful run chase. He single-handedly guided Kings XI Punjab to victory in the ninth match of IPL 2011 against Chennai Super Kings.
Valthaty scored more than 60% of KXIP’s runs while chasing a massive total of 189. He hit 19 fours in his innings and cleared the ropes two times, scoring 82 runs from boundaries. Valthaty claimed the player of the match award for his destructive innings, and this inning of his remained the highest individual score of IPL 2011.
