IPL: Highest targets achieved in last over of successful run-chases
There have been times when batters have done the unthinkable and smashed heaps of runs in the last over of the game to drive their side to victory.
4. 21 runs for Mumbai Indians (MI) vs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2011
Kolkata Knight Riders clashed against Mumbai Indians in the 70th match of IPL 2011 at the Eden Gardens. MI won the toss and decided to bowl first. Gautam Gambhir & Co. scored 175 runs in 20 overs, with Jacques Kallis (59 runs off 42 deliveries) top-scoring. James Franklin and Abu Nechim were amongst the wickets for Mumbai, picking up two scalps each.
During the chase, Mumbai needed 21 runs in the last over and it seemed Kolkata would stand victorious. But Franklin and Ambati Rayudu were up for the challenge. And when Lakshmipathy Balaji came in the 20th over, Franklin (45* runs off 23 balls) took him to the cleaners and struck four back-to-back boundaries to bring the equation down to 5 runs off 2 balls.
However, the Wellington-born could only squeeze a single off the penultimate ball and four was needed off the final ball. Rayudu (17* runs off 6 balls) smashed Balaji’s delivery for a six and clinched the game for Sachin Tendulkar & Co. Franklin was adjudged the Player of the Match for his stunning all-round performance.
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