What are the most iconic moments in IPL history?


IPL 2023 Winner

this one's a greatest hits album of pure IPL magic. The IPL has delivered blockbuster moments, fairy-tale wins, shockers, and goosebumps-inducing scenes over the years. Here's a list of the most iconic moments in IPL history that every fan remembers:

🏆 1. Brendon McCullum’s 158 in IPL Opener (2008)*

“And the IPL has arrived!”

  • Match: KKR vs RCB, 2008.

  • McCullum smashed 158 off 73 balls*, setting the league ablaze in its very first game.

  • This moment defined IPL's explosive identity.

💥 2. Rajasthan Royals Winning the First IPL (2008)

  • Underdogs, captained by Shane Warne, went all the way.

  • Defeated CSK in the final.

  • Showed the world that talent trumps big names.

🧢 3. Chris Gayle’s 175 – Highest Score in T20 History (2013)*

  • Match: RCB vs Pune Warriors.

  • Gayle went nuclear: 175 off 66 balls* with 17 sixes.

  • Fastest T20 century ever (30 balls).

  • Pure destruction. Never seen again.

🧡 4. MS Dhoni’s Last-Over Finishes

  • Countless moments, but his 70 off 34 vs RCB in 2018* stands out.

  • Dhoni turned final overs into theatre — finishing games with cold-blooded calm.

💎 5. Rahul Tewatia’s Miracle vs Punjab (2020)

  • Required 51 off 18. Tewatia struggled at first.

  • Then hit 5 sixes in an over off Sheldon Cottrell.

  • RR chased 224 — one of the greatest comebacks.

🧠 6. Pollard’s 87 vs CSK (2021)*

  • MI chasing 219.

  • Pollard played one of the finest IPL knocks, finishing with 87 off 34*.

  • CSK bowlers looked helpless.

🌪️ 7. Gujarat Titans Winning Their Debut Season (2022)

  • New franchise, led by Hardik Pandya, stunned everyone.

  • Topped the table and beat RR in the final.

  • Dream debut!

🔥 8. Virat Kohli’s 973 Runs in a Single Season (2016)

  • 4 centuries. 7 fifties.

  • Led RCB to the final.

  • No one has come close to this level of batting dominance in one IPL season.

🧊 9. MI’s 1-Run Final Wins (2017 & 2019)

  • Beat Rising Pune Supergiant by 1 run in 2017.

  • Beat CSK by 1 run in 2019 — Lasith Malinga's legendary last-ball yorker to trap Shardul Thakur LBW.

  • “Just one run” became MI’s legacy.

👑 10. Dhoni’s Fairytale Title Win at Age 41 (2023)

  • CSK won their 5th title, tying MI.

  • MS Dhoni led a team of seniors and youngsters — a vintage comeback season.

  • Ravindra Jadeja hit the winning runs on the last ball. Pure emotion.

🌈 Honorable Mentions

  • Anil Kumble's 5/5 vs RR (2009).

  • AB de Villiers’ 133 off 59 vs MI (2015).*

  • MS Dhoni’s 28-run final over vs Axar (2018).

  • Shane Watson’s 117 in IPL 2018 Final.

  • Ruturaj Gaikwad’s rise in 2021.

  • R Ashwin retiring out in 2022 — a first!

🏁 The IPL isn’t just a league — it’s a highlight reel every season.

Want a top 10 video-style script or want this turned into a trivia quiz?