From Mumbai Indians' 1-Run Victory To KKR's 200-Run Chase: Top 5 Closest IPL Finals in History

Top 5 Closest IPL Finals in History: The Indian Premier League (IPL) is no stranger to drama, but some finals have pushed the tension to the absolute limit, leaving fans on the edge of their seats till the last ball.

Over the years, a handful of IPL finals have stood out for their heart-stopping finishes, showcasing the true unpredictability and thrill of T20 cricket.

Here's a look at the Top 5 Closest IPL Finals where every run - and every ball - mattered.

1. IPL 2012 Final: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Chennai Super Kings
Result: KKR won by 5 wickets (with 2 balls to spare)

The 2012 final was a classic battle of nerves. Chennai Super Kings, playing in their backyard, posted a challenging 191. KKR's chase started on shaky ground with captain Gautam Gambhir dismissed early, but Manvinder Bisla played a once-in-a-lifetime innings, smashing 89 off 48 balls. As the match went deep into the final over, KKR's calmness under pressure saw them clinch their first-ever IPL title with just two balls remaining.

2. IPL 2014 Final: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Kings XI Punjab
Result: KKR won by 3 wickets (with 3 balls to spare)

In another rollercoaster final, Kings XI Punjab rode on Wriddhiman Saha's sensational unbeaten 115 to set a daunting 199-run target. KKR responded aggressively, led by a brilliant 94 from Manish Pandey. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Kolkata kept up with the required rate. The tension was electric as the match went into the last over, but KKR managed to pull through, lifting their second IPL trophy with only three balls left.

3. IPL 2016 Final: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore
Result: SRH won by 8 runs

The 2016 final was a battle of big hitters. Sunrisers Hyderabad, powered by David Warner's aggressive 69, put up a formidable 208. In response, Royal Challengers Bangalore looked set for victory with Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers in full flow. However, SRH's bowlers staged a spirited comeback, and a stunning collapse saw RCB fall just 8 runs short, giving Sunrisers their maiden IPL crown in a nail-biting contest.

4. IPL 2017 Final: Mumbai Indians vs Rising Pune Supergiant
Result: MI won by 1 run

The 2017 final was a heart-stopper and is often regarded as the closest IPL final ever. Mumbai Indians posted a modest 129, and Rising Pune Supergiant seemed poised for victory. Needing 11 runs off the final over, Pune stumbled under pressure. Mitchell Johnson bowled a sensational last over, and with 2 runs needed off the final ball, a stunning run-out secured a famous 1-run win for Mumbai Indians.

5. IPL 2019 Final: Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings
Result: MI won by 1 run

Two years later, Mumbai Indians were once again involved in another breathtaking final. After setting a target of 150, MI relied on Lasith Malinga's experience in the final over. With CSK needing just 2 runs off the last ball, Malinga produced a perfect slower ball to trap Shardul Thakur LBW, giving Mumbai a record fourth IPL title by the slimmest of margins - just 1 run.