Which IPL finals were the most thrilling?


IPL 2023 Winner

the IPL finals—that magical night when legacies are made, hearts are broken, and chaos is guaranteed. Some finals have been walkovers, but a few… a few were pure box-office thrillers.

Here are the most thrilling IPL finals ever, ranked by drama, last-over tension, and unforgettable moments:

🏆 Most Thrilling IPL Finals of All Time

1. 🔥 2019 – MI vs CSK – The 1-Run Final

  • Score: MI 149/8 | CSK 148/7

  • Last over: 9 runs needed. Malinga bowls a slower-ball yorker to dismiss Shardul Thakur on the final ball.

  • MI win by just 1 run—the closest-ever final!

🧊 Dhoni’s run-out by inches and Malinga’s last-ball magic—LEGENDARY stuff.

2. 💀 2023 – CSK vs GT – Rain. Drama. Last-Ball Glory.

  • GT posted a massive 214, but rain revised CSK's target to 171 off 15 overs.

  • Last over: 13 needed. Jadeja hits 6 and 4 off the last 2 balls to win it for CSK!

🦁 Dhoni's fairy-tale 5th title. Jadeja's coolness. Epic scenes in Ahmedabad.

3. ⚔️ 2008 – RR vs CSK – The OG Final

  • First-ever IPL final.

  • RR chased 164, needing 8 off the last over.

  • Sohail Tanvir scores the winning run on the last ball.

👑 Shane Warne’s magic. The birth of the IPL fairytale.

4. 💣 2017 – MI vs RPS – Another 1-Run Thriller!

  • MI scored just 129, looked done for.

  • RPS had it in the bag needing 11 off the last over.

  • Mitchell Johnson defended it, and MI won by… 1 run again!

📉 Dhoni + Smith couldn’t finish. MI pulled off a stunning heist.

5. 🚀 2014 – KKR vs KXIP – Chase of the Season

  • KXIP posted a huge 199, with Wriddhiman Saha’s ton.

  • KKR chased it down with 3 balls to spare, thanks to Manish Pandey’s incredible 94.

⚡ Highest chase in an IPL final. Pure batting brilliance.

6. 🧊 2012 – KKR vs CSK – Underdogs Rise

  • CSK smashed 190 with Raina on fire.

  • Everyone wrote KKR off… until Bisla played the innings of his life (89 off 48).

  • KKR won with 2 balls to spare.

🦅 Gambhir’s calm leadership + Bisla’s surprise knock = epic final upset.

7. 💥 2016 – SRH vs RCB – The Big Chase That Fell Short

  • SRH posted 208—but Gayle + Kohli exploded.

  • RCB were cruising at 114 in 10 overs, then… collapsed.

  • SRH won by 8 runs in a nail-biter.

💔 RCB’s best chance at glory, snatched away by Bhuvi and Mustafizur.

🏁 Final Thought:

The best IPL finals are not just games—they're sagas. Full of twists, last-ball tension, and unforgettable heroes.