
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is synonymous with towering sixes, quick scores, and thrilling matches. However, amidst all that, there have been special circumstances when batters failed to deliver and bowlers took advantage of that. That leads to a low-scoring game.
Do you know which team has the lowest score in the IPL? If not, read this. In this article, we will explore the top 10 lowest scores in IPL history. It will highlight how cricket’s shortest format isn’t always about piling on runs.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) holds the crown when it comes to the lowest score in IPL history. RCB’s lowest score is 49 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL.
Check out the list of the 10 lowest team scores in IPL since its inception. The data includes the matches conducted up until the conclusion of the IPL 2024.
Team | Score | Against | Year | Location |
RCB | 49 | KKR | 2017 | Kolkata |
RR | 58 | RCB | 2009 | Cape Town |
RR | 59 | RCB | 2023 | Jaipur |
DD | 66 | MI | 2017 | Delhi |
DD | 67 | PBKS | 2017 | Mohali |
KKR | 67 | MI | 2008 | Wankhede |
RCB | 68 | SRH | 2022 | Brabourne |
RCB | 70 | CSK | 2019 | Chennai |
RCB | 70 | RR | 2014 | Abu Dhabi |
PBKS | 73 | Pune | 2017 | Pune |
RCB’s lowest score in IPL is 49. Playing at Eden Gardens in Kolkata against KKR, the star-studded line-up, featuring Virat Kohli (the King of IPL), AB de Villiers(one of the best finishers of cricket), and Chris Gayle, of RCB crumbled like a house of cards.
In this match, RCB went against KKR’s high-quality bowling. Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris Woakes, and Colin de Grandhomme of KKR wreaked havoc in the field. This match left the Bengaluru fans speechless.
None of the batters were able to reach the double figures. Kedar Jadhav was the top-scorer for RCB with 9 runs. Thus, it was the lowest score in ipl history
Due to the general election in India, the IPL had to shift to South Africa in 2009. In Cape Town in 2009, Rajasthan Royals bundled out for 58 runs in a chase against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. In that match, they struggled against the RCB bowlers and bowled out in just 15.1 overs.
It was a record for 8 years before RCB flunked even lower and claimed the first spot in the list of lowest scores in IPL.
Once again in 2023, Rajasthan fell prey to RCB bowlers. They posted their second-lowest score in the IPL against the same opposition. Chasing a good target of 171, Rajasthan tried to accelerate to the top but that didn’t work in their favor.
RR Lost the openers in just 1.2 overs. They also lost the third wicket in the same over. There was no recovery from that. It was like a free fall from then on. Eventually, RR could only manage 59 runs in just 10.3 overs.
Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) faltered in their mammoth chase against Mumbai Indians in 2017 at Delhi Stadium.
DD was chasing a high total of 212 runs and just couldn’t get going from the start. DD could only score 66 runs in 13.4 overs. It was a bad season for Delhi as they again faltered against different opponents in the same season.
After being put to bat first by KXIP, Delhi found it difficult to get going on a tough Mohali pitch. KXIP kept taking wickets at regular intervals and bowled out Delhi Daredevils for just 67 runs.
This was their second-lowest score in IPL in that same season. Corey Anderson was the highest scorer for them at 18. Rabada and Karun Nair contributed 11 runs each. Well, both teams come in the list of unsuccessful teams of IPL.
In the first edition of IPL, KKR made a huge blunder when they were asked to bat first. They couldn’t handle swings from Pollock and Bravo and folded easily.
It was the lowest score in IPL that season and the record stood for just one season as RR took the first place in 2009. KKR were bowled out for just 67 runs in 15.2 overs. Only three batsmen from the KKR camp scored in double figures.
RCB enters the list for the second time at the seventh place with 68 Runs against SRH in Mumbai. They could only last for 16.1 overs against the pace of T Natrajan, and Marco Jansen.
RCB has a habit of disappointing their fans with subpar performances despite having one of the best batting sides in the tournament. SRH made light work of the total in just 8 overs of the chase.
There is another RCB’s lowest score in IPL, the third entry. Playing a game against Chennai in 2019, RCB could only manage 70 runs before the trio of Harbhajan Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, and Imran Tahir bundled them.
It was one of the best bowling performances of the 2019 season. The match was over in 17.1 overs. Chennai also took their time but they managed to scrape through.
The 2014 season was also played abroad in UAE. In a match against Rajasthan Royals, RCB made only 70 runs in 15 overs. This is their fourth entry in this list of lowest scores in IPL.
They are the only team that has more than two entries in this list. Again, one of the better batting line-ups in IPL faltered against mid-level bowling. It was the same story all over again for RCB. Well, Virat Kohli(The run machine of cricket)has scored 764 runs against Rajasthan Royals since 2008 to 2024 in IPL.
At number 10 we have Kings XI Punjab with 73 runs against RPS in Pune. KXIP were invited to bat first by RPS and they didn’t have a great start. Martin Guptill was out on the first ball of the inning. That started a domino effect as players were coming and going one by one.
After 15.5 overs, KXIP were bowled out for 73 runs. RPS didn’t falter and chased the score down in just 12 overs with the loss of one wicket.
These low-scoring games have provided the league with some of the most thrilling and unforgettable moments. These games showcase the skills of bowlers and the unpredictability of this brutal sport.
As the league progresses and evolves, I’m sure we’ll see more such scores in the future. Because these games serve as a reminder that cricket is not just about big hits.
Hope you liked this list of lowest scores in IPL. Do tell us what you think about it.
Ans: IPL lowest score team is Royal Challengers Bengaluru with 49-run.
Ans: Incidentally, Royal Challengers Bengaluru defended 106/2 successfully against CSK in Bengaluru.
Ans: RCB was all out for 49 runs on 23 April 2017 in a match against KKR.
Ans: The lowest score of CSK is 79 against Mumbai Indians in 2013.
Ans: The lowest score in IPL 2020 was 84 made by KKR (Kolkata Knight Riders) against RCB (Royal Challengers Bengaluru).
Ans: The lowest score of MI is 87 runs in 18.5 overs against SRH in 2018.