IPL: Top 5 most heartbreaking finals in league's history

The Indian Premier League has been a remarkable tournament as it has taken cricket to the next level, thanks to its high standard of cricket. Over the years, we have seen hundreds of sensational games. Some of these even happened in the all-important finals. While one team ended up with ecstasy, the other was heartbroken. On that note, here’s a look at 5 heartbreaking IPL Finals:

5. DC vs MI (2020)

In the 2020 IPL final, Mumbai Indians were up against Delhi Capitals. Both teams had done well throughout the tournament, but Mumbai were well and truly the better side. They were extremely dominant, winning most of their games convincingly.

Batting first, Delhi managed 156 owing to fifties by Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant. Barring these two, none of Delhi’s other batters got going. It was going to be a tough ask for Delhi to restrict MI’s star-studded line-up, but they put up a good effort. Eventually, a sublime cameo by Ishan Kishan ensured that MI defended the title that they had won in 2019. It was a heartbreak for Delhi, who had come ever so close to winning the IPL for the first time.

4. KKR vs KXIP (2014)

The 2014 final was a nail-biting encounter between Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders. KXIP, led by Geroge Bailey, had played some brilliant cricket all season and were looking to win their first title. However, they were up against a strong KKR outfit led by the feisty Gautam Gambhir.

KXIP did well to score 199 in the first innings, thanks to a splendid century by Wriddhiman Saha. Manan Vohra also contributed with an impressive 67. In the second innings, KKR’s batters, barring Manish Pandey, struggled to convert their starts into big knocks. However, Pandey remained resolute. Unfortunately for KKR, he fell at the wrong time to let KXIP back into the game. In the end, a small but important cameo by Piyush Chawla took KKR home.

3. RCB vs SRH (2016)

This final was a tale of missed opportunities for RCB. It all seemed destined as RCB had been on a winning streak, the final was played at their home ground, and their skipper, Virat Kohli, was having a remarkable season.

RCB conceded 208 in the first innings, and that was mainly due to the heroics of SRH’s Ben Cutting, who smashed 39 off just 15 balls. Shane Watson was at the receiving end of Cuttings’s pyrotechnics at the death.

Chasing 209 sets, RCB got off to a flying start with Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle sharing a superb 114-run stand. However, both batters fell at crucial junctures, leaving a massive hole in their batting order. AB de Villiers didn’t get going that night, and the middle order collapsed. SRH eventually won the game by eight runs, and the RCB players were just inconsolable.

2. MI vs RPSG (2017)

The 2017 IPL final was held between Mumbai Indians and Rising Pune Supergiant. RPS, led by Steve Smith, did a phenomenal job in the first innings as they restricted Mumbai to just 129. RPSG bowled extremely well, and the pitch also played a substantial role. Had Krunal Pandya not scored 47, MI could have been reduced to a score below 100.

Fans and pundits expected RPSG to cruise to the target easily, but fate had other plans. Only Ajinkya Rahane and Steve Smith could get runs for RPSG, and they, too, couldn’t find any sort of rhythm as MI’s bowlers bowled tight lines and lengths. The game went down to the wire, with MI coming out on the right side of the result by just one run. It was a complete heartbreak for Smith and Co. as they had done well throughout the campaign.

5. MI vs CSK (2019)

The 2019 Final was an El Classico of the IPL as Mumbai Indians were up against Chennai Super Kings. Batting first, the Mumbai Indians scored 149 in their 20 overs. For MI, plenty of batters got starts, but they couldn’t convert them into substantial contributions, which meant that they ended up with less than they would have liked. CSK’s bowlers were extremely disciplined, and that helped their cause.

CSK’s chase started well, but once Faf du Plessis was dismissed, they were on the back foot as their middle order had been in poor form throughout the season. Still, a magnificent 80-run effort by Shane Watson kept them in the hunt. Eventually, it wasn’t enough as MI got the better of their rivals by a solitary run to lift the trophy for the 4th time.