Some IPL finals have been so intense that the game kept changing sides until the very last ball. From MI vs CSK in 2019 to SRH vs RCB in 2016, let’s relive.
Top 5 best IPL finals in history with moments from matches
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has given cricket fans some of the most unforgettable moments in T20 history. Since its inception in 2008, teams battle fiercely every season for a spot in the IPL Final, but only the best make it.
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Over the years, this grand finale has produced some of the most thrilling and nail-biting matches ever seen in cricket. Some finals were high-scoring spectacles, while others were intense, low-scoring battles that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
With the IPL 2025 schedule already creating buzz, it’s the perfect time to look back at some of the greatest finals ever played in the IPL. These matches not only decided champions but also gave fans moments that are still talked about today. From last-ball finishes to underdog victories, these finals had everything a cricket lover could ask for.
In this article, we’ll look back and revisit the Top 5 Best IPL Finals of all time, where teams fought till the last moment to lift the prestigious trophy.
Which is the Best IPL Final Ever?
1. Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings (2019)
Scorecard: MI (149/8) & CSK (148/7) | MI Won by 1 Run
The 2019 IPL Final between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) was a nerve-wracking contest that went down to the last ball. Batting first, MI struggled to put up a big total, scoring just 149/8 in 20 overs. Kieron Pollard was the lone warrior, smashing 41 runs off 25 balls, while Deepak Chahar and Imran Tahir troubled Mumbai’s batting lineup.
Chasing 150, CSK looked on course for victory with Shane Watson playing a heroic knock despite battling a knee injury. He scored a valiant 80 off 59 balls, single-handedly keeping CSK’s hopes alive. However, the game turned in Mumbai’s favor when Malinga bowled a perfect slower delivery on the last ball and trapped Shardul Thakur LBW when CSK needed two runs. Mumbai won their 4th title by just 1 run in what is widely regarded as the Best IPL final ever.
2. Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2016)
Scorecard: SRH (208/7) & RCB (200/7) | Hyderabad Won by 8 Runs
The 2016 IPL final was a high-scoring thriller that saw Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) deny Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) their maiden title. Batting first, Hyderabad posted a massive 208/7, thanks to David Warner's explosive 69 off 38 balls and some late fireworks from Ben Cutting, who smashed 39 off 15 balls.
RCB, led by Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle, responded strongly. Gayle’s 76 off 38 balls and Kohli’s 54 off 35 balls put RCB in a commanding position. However, SRH bowlers, led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mustafizur Rahman, turned the game around. The wickets of Kohli and Gayle triggered a middle-order collapse, and RCB fell short by just 8 runs. This final remains one of the best finals till now, showcasing why T20 cricket is so unpredictable and exciting.
3. Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals (2008)
Scorecard: CSK (163/5) & RR (164/7) | RR Won by 3 Wickets
The first-ever final of the IPL in 2008 was an intense battle between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR). It set the tone for what the tournament would become in the years to follow. CSK, led by MS Dhoni, put up a decent total of 163/5, thanks to contributions from Suresh Raina (43 off 30) and MS Dhoni (29 off 17).
In response, Rajasthan’s Yusuf Pathan delivered a match-winning knock, scoring 56 off 39 balls, taking the game deep. With eight runs needed in the final over, captain Shane Warne and Sohail Tanvir held their nerve to take Rajasthan over the line with just one ball to spare. This unforgettable match started the IPL’s legacy and is still one of the best finals of the IPL ever. It also proved that an underdog team can defy the odds and become champions.
Iconic images of the best IPL final ever
4. Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders (2012)
Scorecard: CSK (190/3) & KKR (192/5) | KKR Won by 5 Wickets
The 2012 IPL final between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) was a tale of resilience and an underdog triumph. CSK, batting first, posted a challenging 190/3, powered by Suresh Raina’s aggressive 73 off 38 balls.
Despite losing Gautam Gambhir early, Manvinder Bisla played the innings of his life, scoring 89 off 48 balls. He received crucial support from Jacques Kallis (69 off 49 balls), and together they built a match-winning 136-run partnership. Even though CSK fought hard in the death overs, KKR successfully chased down the target with five wickets in hand, lifting their first-ever IPL trophy and making this one of the top finals ever.
5. Mumbai Indians vs Rising Pune Supergiant (2017)
Scorecard: MI (129/8) & RSP (128/6) | MI Won by 1 Run
The 2017 IPL Final was yet another low-scoring thriller where Mumbai Indians (MI) edged out Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) by just one run. Mumbai struggled to put up a good total, managing just 129/8, with Krunal Pandya’s 47 off 38 being the lone standout performance.
Pune’s chase was anchored by Steve Smith (51 off 50), but Mumbai’s bowlers kept picking up crucial wickets. The final over, bowled by Mitchell Johnson, had Pune needing 11 runs to win. Manoj Tiwary hit a four but was dismissed on the next ball, followed by Steve Smith getting caught at deep cover. With 4 needed off the last ball, Daniel Christian could only manage a couple of runs, giving Mumbai a dramatic win and their third IPL title. This was one of the games of TATA IPL, proving that even low-scoring games can be intensely thrilling.
Overall, the IPL final has always been a stage where cricketing legends are made, and unforgettable moments are created. From last-ball thrillers to high-scoring chases, these matches have given fans some of the most exciting moments in T20 history.
Every season, teams battle through intense matches, navigating the ups and downs of the IPL Points Table to secure a spot in the playoffs. Only the best make it to the grand finale, where history is written and champions emerge. Looking back, some finals of the IPL have stood out as the greatest and delivered iconic matches and nail-biting finishes that fans will never forget.
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