Lowest powerplay score in IPL: List of lowest score in IPL powerplay
Published on: Mar 6, 2023 12:54 pm IST|Updated on: Mar 6, 2023 12:54 pm IST
Lowest powerplay score in IPL: The term “powerplay” typically connotes an exciting period of play in which teams aim to score big with aggressive shots. However, this is not always the case, as evidenced by instances where teams have suffered a series of wickets and low scores during the fielding restrictions.
The powerplay is a phase of the game where a limited number of fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle, and teams often look to maximize this advantage by going for big shots. However, the risks of aggressive play can backfire, leading to the loss of crucial wickets, and in turn, a low score. This can prove disastrous for a team hoping for a fast start to their innings.
Lowest powerplay score in IPL
1. Rajasthan Royals 14/2 v RCB, 2009
It is surprising to discover that the Lowest powerplay score in IPL history was achieved by the defending champions. This occurred during the 2009 tournament, which had to be moved to South Africa. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that the playing conditions were significantly different from those of the inaugural competition in 2008, which Rajasthan won.
In a match where the pitch offered considerable swing and lateral movement to the seamers, both sides got off to a poor start. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) recorded a powerplay score of just 29, which was close to being included in the list of lowest powerplay scores in IPL history. Chasing a modest total of 134 to win, Rajasthan Royals’ situation of 14/2 at the end of the powerplay was not irreparable. However, they managed to collapse and were bowled out for a paltry 58 runs. This total was the lowest ever in the IPL and the second-lowest in all professional T20 cricket.
Praveen Kumar of RCB was the standout player of the powerplay, finishing with remarkable figures of 3 overs, 7 runs, and 2 wickets. These kinds of statistics are usually associated with red-ball cricket, making his performance even more impressive. Ultimately, this match demonstrated the risks and rewards of playing aggressively during the powerplay phase, and how it can impact a team’s overall performance.
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2. Sunrisers Hyderabad 14/3 v Rajasthan Royals, 2022
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) suffered a shocking start to their opening game of the 2022 season, equalling the Lowest powerplay score in IPL history. They came out to bat after conceding 211 runs to Rajasthan, with a relatively inexperienced batting line-up and on a green pitch. Captain Kane Williamson was expected to lead from the front and get his team off to a solid start. However, he faced Trent Boult, a fellow New Zealander, who used swing and lateral movement to trouble even one of the world’s best technical batsmen.
Boult found perfect support from Prasidh Krishna, whose high action extracted lateral movement from the pitch. Williamson fell victim to the duo’s effectiveness and was caught by Padikkal at slip following a juggle from keeper Sanju Samson. Boult and Krishna were so effective that they both bowled through the entire powerplay, returning impressive figures of 1 for 8 and 2 for 2, respectively.
Despite a strong Rajasthan batting line-up, SRH had hoped for a solid start, but their inexperience and the quality of the opposition’s bowling proved too much to handle. The importance of a good start in the powerplay phase was evident in this match, and SRH would need to regroup quickly to bounce back from this defeat.
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3. Chennai Super Kings 15/2 v KKR, 2011
CSK’s slow start and subsequent lowest ever powerplay score in the IPL were influenced by the slow wicket at Eden Gardens and excellent bowling from the home team. The men in yellow struggled to find their rhythm throughout the innings and finished with 114/4 from their 20 overs. It appears that they could have taken a few more risks early on to try and get some momentum going.
The decision to bat first in a game ultimately decided by DLS due to rain delays may have contributed to CSK’s slow start. They struggled to get going in the powerplay, crawling to 15/2 while allowing 25 dot balls to pass by and failing to strike a single boundary. Perhaps the team was not convinced by the captain’s decision to bat first or simply failed to execute their game plan.