The Indian Premier League (<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/t20/ipl-indian-premier-league/">IPL</a>) is the biggest T20 league in the world. It also happens to be the toughest there is. There’s a reason why many cricket experts call IPL the “Toughest 20”.
Even the best of the best struggle to get going in this tournament. The standards are so high that several legendary cricketers have also failed to perform in the Indian T20 league. There is no margin of error over here.
A tiny blunder can cost your side a match and thus, decrease the chances of your team winning the title. Over the years, there have been several mistakes committed by players which have turned out to be very costly. 
<h2>Here are the top 10 most costly mistakes in IPL history:</h2>
<h3>10) MI making Pollard bat down the order in the IPL 2010 Final</h3>
<figure id="attachment_550493" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-550493" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-550493" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2021/08/Kieron-Pollard-in-IPL-2010-final.jpg" alt="Kieron Pollard in IPL 2010 final" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption id="caption-attachment-550493" class="wp-caption-text">Kieron Pollard in IPL 2010 final. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>
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<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/t20/ipl-indian-premier-league/mi-mumbai-indians/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mumbai Indians</a> (MI) are arguably the strongest team in the history of the league. No franchise has been able to replicate MI’s legacy. However, despite all their achievements, even they have committed a major blunder in their past.
It was in the all-important final in 2010 when MI decided to make Pollard bat down the order. The aggressive West Indian was in superb form back then and this came as a surprise to one and all. He came to bat at 8.
When he came to bat, the scorecard read 114-6 and he only had 20 balls to win the match for his team. He ended up scoring 27 runs in 10 deliveries at a strike rate of 270. His team ended up losing to the Super Kings by 22 runs as MS Dhoni and his boys went on to win their maiden IPL title.
<h3>9) Murali Vijay giving last over to Axar Patel against MS Dhoni in IPL 2016</h3>
<figure id="attachment_550492" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-550492" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-550492" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2021/08/MS-Dhoni-v-Axar-Patel-in-IPL-2016.jpg" alt="MS Dhoni v Axar Patel in IPL 2016" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption id="caption-attachment-550492" class="wp-caption-text">MS Dhoni v Axar Patel in IPL 2016. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>
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Punjab Kings (PBKS) didn’t have a great season in 2016. They ended up with the wooden spoon and were last on the points table that season. One of the major reasons for that was their final match of 2016 when their then captain <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/tag/murali-vijay/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Murali Vijay</a> committed a major blunder.
The now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) was their opposition and their then skipper MS Dhoni was batting at that time. RPS needed 23 runs off the final over and MS Dhoni was on strike. Vijay, the Punjab skipper shockingly gave the last over to Axar Patel, a spinner.
Giving the last over to a spinner is never advisable, especially when one of the greatest finishers of all time is going to face him. Dhoni ended up hitting the spinner for 23 runs and won the match for his team. He scored a magnificent 64 from just the 32 deliveries.
<h3>8) James Faulkner bowling a full toss to Aditya Tare in 2014</h3>
<figure id="attachment_550491" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-550491" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-550491" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2021/08/Aditya-Tare-v-James-Faulkner-in-IPL-2015.jpg" alt="Aditya Tare v James Faulkner in IPL 2015" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption id="caption-attachment-550491" class="wp-caption-text">Aditya Tare v James Faulkner in IPL 2015. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>
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This would go down as one of the biggest brain-fade moments of all time. This tiny error by the Aussie all-rounder ensured that even Rahul Dravid had to lose his cool in front of the entire world. This happened against MI in 2014.
In a battle for the playoff spot, cricket fans witnessed arguably one of the greatest T20 matches of all time. MI had to chase 190 runs in just the 14.3 balls. While Rohit Sharma’s men scored 189 runs in 14.3 balls, both the teams were later told that MI could still qualify for the playoffs if they were to hit a boundary in the next ball.
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/tag/james-faulkner/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">James Faulkner</a>, who was considered to be a superb death bowler back then ended up bowling a full toss to Aditya Tare who hit the ball for a huge six. This went down as one of the most iconic moments in IPL history and one for the RR fans to forget. Who knows what would have happened if Faulkner hadn’t bowled a full toss and had a better delivery at his disposal at that moment.
<h3>7) David Warner stepping on the boundary rope against RCB in IPL 2015</h3>
<figure id="attachment_550504" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-550504" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-550504" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2021/08/David-Warner-overstepping-in-IPL-2015.jpg" alt="David Warner overstepping in IPL 2015" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption id="caption-attachment-550504" class="wp-caption-text">David Warner overstepping in IPL 2015. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>
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Premature celebrations can always be costly. <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/tag/david-warner-australia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">David Warner</a> realized it a little too late though. Warner had committed the grave mistake of celebrating before the match was won and ended up costing his side a potential spot in the playoffs.
This took place in 2015 and the Sunrises Hyderabad (SRH) needed to beat the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to qualify for the playoffs. Warner took a catch at long-on to dismiss the RCB skipper Virat Kohli off the penultimate ball. However, after taking the catch, he took a step back to celebrate it.
This resulted in him crossing the boundary rope and thus, Kohli was awarded a six. The SRH skipper’s two steps backward cost his team the game. “It was a poor bit of fielding. I thought I had got the catch, but didn’t look behind me.” is what he said after the match.
<h3>6) RCB giving Pawan Negi the penultimate over against MI in IPL 2019</h3>
<figure id="attachment_550490" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-550490" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-550490" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2021/08/Hardik-Pandya-v-Pawan-Negi-in-IPL-2019.jpg" alt="Hardik Pandya v Pawan Negi in IPL 2019" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption id="caption-attachment-550490" class="wp-caption-text">Hardik Pandya v Pawan Negi in IPL 2019. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>
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One must learn from others’ mistakes. However, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/t20/ipl-indian-premier-league/rcb-royal-challengers-bangalore/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RCB</a> turned a blind eye to MS Dhoni’s mistake way back in 2015 only to repeat the same in 2019 and pay a similar price. This moment included the Indian all-rounders Pawan Negi and Hardik Pandya.
Yet another fabulous finish by Pandya ensured that RCB had a night to forget. MI needed 22 runs to win in 2 overs. The RCB skipper handed over the ball to Negi only for the spinner to get thrashed.
The MI all-rounder hit Negi for two sixes and two fours and ended up winning the game for his team. He finished the chase with an over to spare. Pandya thus scored 37 in 16 balls and this tactical error by RCB ensured that they remained at the bottom of the table. Rohit Sharma’s men ended up winning the title in that season as well.
<h3>5) DD dropping Morne Morkel from their XI in the IPL 2012 Qualifier 2</h3>
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<figcaption id="caption-attachment-550489" class="wp-caption-text">Morne Morkel in IPL 2012. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>
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Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) committed perhaps one of the costliest mistakes in the history of knockout matches. They dropped the best bowler of the tournament from their XI. It gets worse when you realize that this was when they were just one step away from the finals.
Their all-rounder Irfan Pathan was injured, this prompted them to tinker with their XI and thus, they looked to maintain some sort of balance in their playing XI. This prompted DD to get Russell in the team to have the one all-rounder. Thus, they ended up dropping the “Purple Cap” holder of 2012 <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/tag/morne-morkel/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Morne Morkel</a>.
This move backfired as CSK ended up hitting their bowlers all around the park. Thus, Sehwag’s team had to chase 223 and failed to do so. “Unluckily, Irfan got injured so we had to change the combination,” Sehwag said after the defeat. “It was difficult to pick four foreigners, but we backed Russell to do the job. But yes we missed Morne Morkel,” he concluded.
<h3>4) Punjab Kings sending Prabhsimran Singh ahead of Glenn Maxwell in IPL 2020</h3>
<figure id="attachment_550488" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-550488" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-550488" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2021/08/Prabhsimran-Singh-and-Glenn-Maxwell-in-IPL-2020.jpg" alt="Prabhsimran Singh and Glenn Maxwell in IPL 2020" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption id="caption-attachment-550488" class="wp-caption-text">Prabhsimran Singh and Glenn Maxwell in IPL 2020. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>
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It is safe to say that <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/t20/ipl-indian-premier-league/punjab-kings/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PBKS</a> (then KXIP) was one of the unluckiest teams in 2021. Despite being so good, they failed to make it to the playoffs. One of the major reasons for that had to be a small and silly mistake.
They needed just the 21 runs from the 16 deliveries and still ended up losing the match. After Mayank Agarwal got out, Punjab sent the youngster Prabhsimran Singh over the experienced Glenn Maxwell. While one might argue that Maxwell wasn’t really at his best in that season, you still cannot play a youngster ahead of a proven performer.
Prabhsimran ended up struggling and was only able to score 4 runs from 7 balls. The Aussie all-rounder walked in but it was too late as even he couldn’t win couldn’t match for his team. KKR ended up winning this game by just the 2 runs.
<h3>3) Daniel Vettori giving Virat Kohli the 19th over against Albie Morkel in IPL 2012</h3>
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The Morkel brothers couldn’t stay away from the limelight in 2012, could they? This time, it was Albie Morkel who punished RCB for their mistake. Isn’t it a crime to bowl a part-timer at the death?
The then captain of RCB Daniel Vettori committed the same crime and ended up giving the ball to Kohli in the second last over of the second innings against CSK in 2012. CSK had to chase 38 runs in 2 overs and the game seemed to be going to be out of CSK’s hands. However, Kohli bowling the penultimate over meant that CSK were still in
Thus, Albie Morkel ended up smashing <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/tag/virat-kohli/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kohli</a> for 28 runs in the second last over and completely changed the game. The yellow army had to only score 10 runs in the final over which they did. However, it is the second last over which sealed the game.
<h3>2) Mumbai Indians replacing Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya as captain in 2024</h3>
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<figcaption>Rohit and Hardik, Mumbai India, IPL 2024 ( Photo source : X / Twitter )</figcaption>
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Rohit Sharma joined Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2011 mega auction and was appointed as the captain in the middle of the 2013 season. He led the team to five titles - 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020. However, the successful leader was removed from captaincy ahead of the 2024 edition of the IPL after Mumbai traded Hardik Pandya with Gujarat Titans for his second stint with the franchise.
Rohit had been on a hiatus from T20Is for 14 months after the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final defeat to England. This allowed Hardik to lead the Men in Blue in the shortest format of the game. He had impressed fans as well as experts with his captaincy qualities during IPL 2022, where he led debutants Gujarat Titans to the title. In IPL 2023, the Titans reached the final under his stewardship. The Baroda all-rounder also did well as the captain of India in the absence of Rohit.
MI appointed Hardik as the captain with one eye on the future. However, this didn't sit well with Rohit's fans as they felt that his contributions to the franchise were disregarded. Mumbai went on to finish at the bottom of the points table in IPL 2024, managing to win just four out of the 14 matches they played.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ipl-points-table/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IPL Points Table 2024</a>
<h3>1) Virat Kohli giving Corey Anderson the final over against CSK’s MS Dhoni in IPL 2018</h3>
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<figcaption id="caption-attachment-550503" class="wp-caption-text">Corey Anderson in IPL 2017. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>
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This was unarguably the biggest blunder in IPL history. The <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/t20/ipl-indian-premier-league/rcb-royal-challengers-bangalore/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RCB</a> skipper gave away the match which his team could and should have won comfortably. The move to give Corey Anderson the final over not only cost RCB this match but also cost them a playoff spot.
CSK needed to get 16 from the final over and Kohli shockingly gave the ball to the Kiwi all-rounder. He could have easily bowled the one over of Negi early on and thus, have an extra over of pace at his disposal towards the death. The fact that he completed Siraj’a full quota of overs in the 19th over didn’t help his cause either.
The RCB skipper even had the choice of going for Colin De Grandhomme in the final over. This could have been a masterstroke as he hadn’t bowled over before this and it could’ve taken the opposition by surprise. However, DJ Bravo and MS Dhoni ended up scoring 16 in the final over and thus, won the game for CSK.

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Biggest errors in IPL: Find out the list of the top ten biggest blunders in Indian Premier League history and their impact on matches after these mistakes occurred, only on CricTracker.com