Top 10 Legendary IPL Knocks In Losses

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has consistently showcased breathtaking individual brilliance, with batters often single-handedly dominating matches. Yet, despite such heroic efforts, not every stellar performance has led to victory. Over the years, fans have witnessed unforgettable innings that lit up the tournament, only to fall short of securing a win. These displays highlight cricket’s unpredictability— driven by courage, flair, and exceptional talent.

This list celebrates the Top 10 Legendary IPL Knocks In Losses— knocks that deserved better outcomes but are still etched in memory for their sheer excellence.

10. MS Dhoni- 51(26) vs MI (2013)

Chasing 149 at home, CSK stumbled to 58/4 in the 11th over against a potent MI attack of Johnson, Munaf, Harbhajan, and Ojha. With the run rate soaring and little support at the other end, Dhoni counterattacked brilliantly, smashing a 24-ball fifty, highlighted by a towering six off Johnson. His lone effort echoed Pollard’s earlier blitz, but despite both power-hitters scoring quick fifties, MI defended 149 just as they would in the season’s final.

9. Rishabh Pant- 128(63) vs SRH (2018)

Pant walked in early after DC lost two quick wickets on a sluggish pitch, where both captains felt that 160 would be a match-winning total.

He began with a composed approach, bringing up his fifty in 36 balls before switching gears against a quality bowling lineup featuring Shakib, Rashid, and Bhuvneshwar. Once past his century, Pant unleashed a brutal assault on Bhuvi—one of the tournament’s best—taking him for 26 runs in a single over. Despite the dew easing conditions in the second innings, this knock stood out as one of the Top 10 Legendary IPL Knocks In Losses.

8. MS Dhoni- 84(48) vs RCB (2019)

At Chinnaswamy, Parthiv’s fifty helped RCB post 161, a deceptively tough target. Steyn and Yadav’s fiery opening spell left CSK reeling, forcing a slow rebuild. Dhoni fought back, punishing the loose balls and keeping hope alive. Needing 26 off the final over, he hammered Umesh for 4, 6, 6, 2, 6, but a guided double off the last ball meant CSK fell heartbreakingly short by just one run. One of the Top 10 Legendary IPL Knocks In Losses.

7. Virat Kohli- 71(51) vs Deccan (2011)

Chasing 176, RCB found themselves in deep trouble at 56/5 halfway through the innings. Steyn and Ishant were relentless, while Gony’s disciplined line made scoring even harder. On a tough Hyderabad pitch—where even RCB’s bowlers had leaked a bigger total—the chase looked almost impossible.

With de Villiers falling for a 7-ball duck, it was clear how sharp the Deccan attack was. Yet, Kohli kept fighting, finding gaps and boundaries despite the mounting pressure. Needing over 80 from the last five overs, he led a daring counterattack with minimal support. Scoring 53% of the team’s runs before finally falling to Gony, Kohli’s effort gave RCB a respectable total despite a faltering batting lineup. And it`s one of the Top 10 Legendary IPL Knocks In Losses.

6. AB de Villiers- 89(46) vs PBKS (2017)

Apart from AB de Villiers, who went on a rampage with a strike rate of 193, no other RCB batter crossed a strike rate of 90 in a sluggish, dot-ball-heavy innings at Indore. Kohli’s decision to drop Watson backfired early, putting all the pressure on ABD to carry the innings.

While ABD delivered brilliantly, RCB could only crawl to a modest 148, hampered by sluggish knocks from Mandeep (28 off 34) and Binny (18 off 20), who struggled to find any rhythm. With the help of dew and poor bowling, Punjab chased down the below-par target comfortably in just 15 overs. And it`s one of the Top 10 Legendary IPL Knocks In Losses.

5. Manan Vohra- 95(50) vs SRH (2017)

In this clash against SRH on their home turf, a batter known for his promising strokeplay delivered his finest T20 innings to date.

On a tough pitch, he entertained the crowd by mimicking Rashid’s signature goggles gesture while playing from deep in the crease. Chasing 160, his brilliant knock brought his team within striking distance, just 15 needed off the final 10 balls— even though no other Kings batter crossed 13.

Scoring at a blazing strike rate of 190 and contributing 66% of the total, his effort stands as the fourth-highest individual share in a losing cause in IPL history. One of the Top 10 Legendary IPL Knocks In Losses.

4. Kieron Pollard- 78(48) vs SRH (2014)

Warner and KL’s calculated knocks, which saw them score under 130, wouldn’t have been enough on their own. However, MI’s extras helped them post a competitive total of 173 on the challenging Dubai surface.

MI’s chase took a hit early, losing Rohit in the second over and three wickets during the powerplay. But Rayudu and Pollard steadied the innings with a run-a-ball partnership of around 30 runs. Pollard kept fighting until the end, though wickets continued to tumble at the other end. With 20 needed off the final over, Pollard, the powerful Caribbean, was dismissed off Irfan Pathan’s in-swinging delivery on the very first ball. And it`s one of the Top 10 Legendary IPL Knocks In Losses.

3. Rahul Dravid- 75(36) vs RR (2008)

Chasing 198 in Jaipur, RCB were in trouble at 5/3, courtesy of Sohail Tanvir’s brilliant spell. Rahul Dravid, however, stood tall, scoring a quick fifty in 25 balls, including three sixes off Yusuf Pathan. Despite the collapse around him, Dravid’s lone effort was the only highlight in an otherwise dismal performance.

Despite the dismal performance in bowling, fielding, and most of the batting, Dravid’s determined middle-order efforts stood out as the only bright spot for Top 10 Legendary IPL Knocks In Losses.

2. Yusuf Pathan- 100(37) vs MI (2010)

In one of the Top 10 Legendary IPL Knocks In Losses, Yusuf Pathan almost pulled off the impossible against Mumbai Indians at Brabourne Stadium in 2010. Chasing a challenging target of 213, Rajasthan Royals were in deep trouble at 40/3 when Pathan came to the crease. He started cautiously, managing just 15 runs off his first 14 balls. But then, he went into overdrive.

With incredible power and precision, Pathan launched a stunning counterattack, blasting 85 runs off his next 22 balls. He tore into bowlers like Ryan McLaren, Ali Murtaza, and Rajagopal Sathish, bringing up one of the fastest centuries in IPL history at the time. Despite his blistering 100 off 37 balls, Rajasthan fell just 4 runs short. It was a remarkable knock that deserved a victory, and remains iconic, even in defeat.

1. Suresh Raina- 87(25) vs PBKS (2014)

This knock needs no introduction. Stepping into a high-pressure chase of 227 at 1/1, he immediately set the tone with an unmatched level of intent. For much of his innings, the CSK dugout stood in awe as he tore into Johnson and Awana, showing no respect for their pace. It seemed no bowler could dismiss him as he relentlessly attacked every delivery—and no one did.

He raced to 87 in such a fashion that no other batter has surpassed his strike rate for a 50+ score to this day. Unfortunately, Mr. IPL fell victim to a running mix-up. That day, several records were set for CSK, including the most runs scored in a powerplay, the team’s 100 runs in the powerplay, and a brutal 33 runs off Awana in an over. And it`s one of the Top 10 Legendary IPL Knocks In Losses.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Top 10 Legendary IPL Knocks in Losses highlight the unpredictable nature of cricket, where individual brilliance can shine through even in the face of defeat. These innings, though not resulting in victories, remain etched in IPL history for their sheer power, skill, and determination. They remind us that in cricket, while the team may not always emerge as winners, a player’s unforgettable performance can still capture the hearts of fans and leave a lasting legacy.

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