A Tale Of Two Collapses: The Lowest Scores In Ipl History

By Author: Ashish Mehra
Total Articles: 47
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The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a spectacle of big-hitting batsmen and world-class bowling attacks. However, amidst the sixes and fiery spells, there have been occasions where batting has fallen apart spectacularly. This article delves into the ignominious record of the lowest scores in IPL history, highlighting the teams involved, the bowlers who wreaked havoc, and the contrasting stories behind this collapse.

RCB's 49: A Record for the Ages (or the Lack Thereof)
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) holds the unwanted record for the lowest score in IPL history. On April 23rd, 2017, at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, they were skittled out for a mere 49 runs against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). This feeble showing came as a shock as RCB boasted a strong batting lineup featuring Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.

The architects of RCB's downfall were the KKR pace duo of Nathan Coulter-Nile and Chris Woakes. Coulter-Nile ripped through the top order, taking three wickets for just 12 runs in his fiery opening spell. Woakes wasn't far behind, ...
... picking up another three wickets to dismantle the middle order. The remaining RCB batsmen could only manage single-digit scores as KKR chased down the target with ease, winning by a massive 10 wickets in just 5.2 overs.

This match exposed a rare vulnerability in RCB's batting, a side often known for its aggressive approach. The bowling attack of KKR, however, capitalized on a poor day for the RCB batsmen, etching their names in the history books.

Rajasthan Royals' Double Dose of Despair
Rajasthan Royals (RR) hold the dubious distinction of featuring twice on the list of lowest scores in IPL history. Their first collapse came against RCB itself, way back in the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2009. Playing at Cape Town, South Africa, RR was bundled out for a paltry 58 runs. RCB's bowling attack, led by Anil Kumble's exceptional fifer (5 wickets for just 5 runs), proved too potent for the Royals' batsmen.

Interestingly, RR found themselves in a similar situation again in the 2023 season. This time, they were chasing a target of 172 set by RCB at their home ground in Jaipur. Once again, their batting faltered miserably as they were dismissed for a mere 59 runs. While there were no standout bowling performances from RCB this time around, the collective effort of their pace attack proved to be too much for a shaky RR batting lineup.

These twin collapses highlight the inconsistency that can plague even established teams in the IPL. While RR has a reputation for unearthing young talent, their batting has sometimes struggled to find stability.

Other Notable Low Scores
While RCB and RR occupy the top unfortunate spots, there have been other teams who have endured batting nightmares in the IPL. Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) have the dubious distinction of featuring twice in the list of the lowest five scores. In 2017, they were dismissed for a meager 66 runs against Mumbai Indians and a mere 67 runs against Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). These scores showcase that even well-balanced teams can have off days, especially when facing top-quality bowling attacks.

READ ALSO: Which Team is Dangerous in IPL History?

Conclusion
The fight for the lowest score in the IPL is a record no team desires to hold. These collapses serve as a reminder of the volatile nature of T20 cricket, where a single bad over or a couple of loose wickets can turn the tide of the match. While big scores and six-hitting dominate the headlines, the stories of these batting meltdowns offer a valuable lesson in the importance of resilience and adaptability in the high-pressure environment of the IPL.