Cricket has a way of gripping you like nothing else. It’s March 25, 2025, and as I sit here sipping my coffee, I can’t help but think about those heart-pounding moments in the Indian Premier League (IPL) where teams pulled off the impossible. The highest successful run chases in IPL history aren’t just stats—they’re stories of human grit, wild swings of momentum, and nights that left me and my buddies yelling at the TV. I’ve been a cricket nut since I was a kid hitting a tennis ball in the backyard, and these chases? They’re the kind of thing that keeps me hooked. Let’s dive into some of the most unforgettable ones, with a bit of my own flavor thrown in—because honestly, who doesn’t love reliving these thrillers?
Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders, 2024: 262/2
Let’s start with the big one—the chase that rewrote the record books. It was 2024 at Eden Gardens, and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had just smashed 261/6, thanks to some brutal hitting. I remember texting my friend, “No way anyone’s chasing this!” Punjab Kings (PBKS) had other plans. Jonny Bairstow walked out like he owned the place and smashed a century in 45 balls. I was stunned—45 balls! My jaw dropped as Shashank Singh joined the party late, hammering a fifty that sealed the deal in just 18.4 overs. They finished at 262/2, the highest successful chase in IPL history.
I watched that game at a local pub with mates, and the place erupted when Punjab crossed the line. We were high-fiving strangers, spilling beer, and laughing about how we’d underestimated them. What got me was the sheer audacity—chasing 262 like it was a Sunday stroll. Bairstow’s sixes were monstrous, and Shashank’s calm under pressure? Unreal. It wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. Even now, I get goosebumps thinking about it.
Rajasthan Royals vs Kings XI Punjab, 2020: 226/6
Rewind to 2020 in Sharjah, and you’ve got another chase that had me glued to the screen. Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) posted 223/2, powered by a ridiculous knock from KL Rahul. I thought, “That’s it, game over.” But Rajasthan Royals (RR) didn’t get the memo. They were struggling—needing 51 off the last three overs—and I was ready to call it a night. Then Rahul Tewatia happened.
Tewatia, a guy I’d barely heard of back then, turned into a superhero. He smashed five sixes in one over off Sheldon Cottrell, flipping the game upside down. I was pacing my living room, shouting, “What is happening?!” Sanju Samson (85) and Steve Smith (50) had set the stage, but Tewatia’s 53 off 31 stole the show. RR finished at 226/6 in 19.3 overs, snagging the highest chase record at the time. My cousin called me right after, and we spent an hour dissecting every shot. That night in Sharjah felt like cricket on steroids—wild, unpredictable, and pure joy.
Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders, 2024: 224/8
Fast forward to 2024 again, and Rajasthan Royals were back at it, this time at Eden Gardens. KKR put up 223/6, and I figured their home crowd would carry them through. But Jos Buttler had other ideas. He walked in when RR were reeling at 121/6, and I thought they were toast. Then Buttler unleashed hell—100 not out off 60 balls, including nine fours and six sixes. I was watching with my dad, and he kept saying, “This guy’s a machine!” RR chased it down at 224/8, tying the second-highest chase mark.
What hit me was Buttler’s ice-cold focus. With two runs needed off the last ball, he smashed it like it was practice. My dad and I just sat there, shaking our heads in disbelief. It’s the kind of innings that makes you wonder how anyone bowls to him. That chase was a rollercoaster—every over felt like a mini-drama, and Buttler was the hero we didn’t deserve but got anyway.
Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings, 2021: 219/6
Now, let’s talk about 2021 in Delhi. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) racked up 218/4, with Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, and Ambati Rayudu all firing. I was rooting for Mumbai Indians (MI) that night—big fan of Rohit Sharma—and I figured they’d need a miracle. Enter Kieron Pollard. He smashed an unbeaten 87 off 34 balls, and I still remember leaping off my couch when he hit those late sixes. MI got to 219/6 off the last ball, needing two, and Pollard made it look easy.
I called my best mate right after, and we were both laughing about how Pollard turned back the clock. That game was personal for me—MI vs CSK is always a grudge match in our house, and this one felt like a sweet victory. Pollard’s power, Quinton de Kock’s 38, and some clutch hitting from Krunal Pandya—it was teamwork with a side of genius. I’ll never forget the tension of that final over; it’s what IPL dreams are made of.
Rajasthan Royals vs Deccan Chargers, 2008: 217/7
Let’s take it back to the IPL’s first season in 2008, when Rajasthan Royals chased 215 against Deccan Chargers in Hyderabad. Andrew Symonds had blasted an unbeaten ton, and I thought Deccan had it in the bag. But RR, led by Shane Warne, had this scrappy underdog vibe I loved. Yusuf Pathan smashed 61 off 28, Mohammad Kaif chipped in with 34 off 16, and Warne himself hit the winning runs—17 off the last over, including back-to-back sixes.
I was a teenager then, watching with my older brother, and we were screaming like lunatics when Warne sealed it. That chase—217/7 in 19.5 overs—was the IPL’s first big 200-plus run hunt, and it set the tone for what the league could be. Looking back, it’s crazy how that moment hooked me on T20 cricket. Warne’s swagger, Pathan’s brute force—it was raw and electric, and I still feel that rush thinking about it.
Why These Chases Hit Different
Sitting here writing this, I can’t help but wonder what makes these chases so special. Is it the sheer volume of runs? The do-or-die stakes? Or maybe it’s the players who step up when it matters most. I think it’s all of that, plus the way these games make you feel—like you’re part of something bigger. I’ve played my share of backyard cricket, and I know that thrill of chasing a target, but this? This is next-level.
Take Punjab’s 262. It’s not just the highest—it’s the speed, the dominance. Or Tewatia’s five-six over in 2020—pure madness from a guy nobody expected it from. Buttler’s 2024 heroics? That’s a masterclass in clutch. Pollard in 2021 showed why veterans still rule, and Warne’s 2008 finish? It’s the stuff of legend. Each chase has its own heartbeat, its own soul, and that’s why they stick with me.
The Human Side of the Game
These moments aren’t just about cricket—they’re personal. I remember the 2020 Sharjah chase because it was during the pandemic, and my family huddled around the TV, desperate for some joy. That Punjab 2024 game? It was a rare night out with friends after a tough week, and it turned into a party. Cricket’s funny like that—it weaves into your life, marking moments big and small.
I think about my late granddad, who’d have loved Buttler’s 2024 knock. He was a Kolkata boy, and even though KKR lost, he’d have tipped his hat to that brilliance. We used to watch IPL together, him sipping chai and me munching snacks, arguing over who’d win. These chases bring him back to me, in a way. They’re not just games—they’re memories.
How the IPL Changed Chasing
Reflecting on this list, it’s wild how the IPL has evolved. Back in 2008, 215 felt insurmountable. Now, 260-plus is fair game. I was chatting with a colleague the other day, and he said, “Bowlers don’t stand a chance anymore!” He’s not wrong—smaller grounds, bigger bats, and fearless hitters have flipped the script. Teams don’t just chase now; they hunt.
Look at the top five: three are from the last five years. That says something. The game’s faster, bolder, and these chases prove it. I remember my uncle saying 200 was a “safe score” in the early IPL days—tell that to Punjab in 2024! It’s thrilling, sure, but part of me misses the old cat-and-mouse battles. Still, I wouldn’t trade these blockbusters for anything.
The Unsung Heroes
One thing I love digging into is the unsung heroes. Shashank Singh in that 262 chase? Guy doesn’t get enough credit—his 68 not out off 28 was ice-cold. Or Krunal Pandya’s 26 off 22 in 2021—small, but vital. Even Kaif in 2008—34 off 16 doesn’t scream headlines, but it kept RR alive. I’ve always rooted for the underdogs, maybe because I was never the star in my school team. These players remind me that cricket’s a team game, even when the spotlight’s on the big guns.
What’s Next?
As I finish this up, I’m already daydreaming about IPL 2025. Will someone top 262? Maybe Sunrisers Hyderabad, with their batting firepower, or Gujarat Titans with a new star? I’ll be watching, probably with my usual crew, ready to lose my voice again. The beauty of these chases is they keep you guessing—who’s next to etch their name in history?
These run chases aren’t just records; they’re the IPL’s heartbeat. From Warne’s magic in 2008 to Bairstow’s blitz in 2024, they’re why I love this game. They’re chaotic, they’re emotional, and they’re ours—shared moments that light up our lives, one boundary at a time. So here’s to the chasers, the dreamers, and the nights we’ll never forget. What’s your favorite? Hit me up—I’m always down to talk cricket.
