here’s something about a run chase that gets the blood pumping. You feel it in the crowd’s roar, in the batters’ urgency, and in the rising tension as every over ticks down. In the IPL—cricket’s boldest, brashest stage—run chases aren’t just a part of the game. They’re the climax, the moment everything builds toward.
The Indian Premier League has given fans countless dramatic pursuits over the years. Whether it’s last-ball thrillers or total annihilation in the powerplay, there’s a raw, chaotic energy to watching a team go after a massive score. And when that chase crosses the 200-run mark, it becomes something else altogether—madness, magic, history in motion. We’ve seen flashes of that same intensity in domestic clashes too, like Dindigul Dragons vs Chepauk Super Gillies, where pride, momentum, and bragging rights all collide under the lights.
This article dives deep into the highest run chase in IPL history, breaking down the match that redefined what’s possible in T20 cricket. We’ll look at the moments, the players, and the sheer belief it takes to chase down the impossible. From the Rajasthan Royals' monumental pursuit to unforgettable performances, we’ll track the wildest rides the IPL has ever seen.
The Iconic Match: Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings (2020)
On September 27, 2020, in the heat and dust of Sharjah, the Rajasthan Royals pulled off what many still can’t quite believe. Chasing a brutal 224 against the Punjab Kings, they didn’t just scrape through. They did it with swagger.
Let’s set the scene. The Punjab Kings had just piled on 223 for 2. Mayank Agarwal struck a blistering century—106 off 50. KL Rahul, ever the craftsman, chipped in with a calm 69. With the short boundaries and flat pitch, it was clear this was going to be a batter’s night. But still, 224? It felt out of reach.
Enter Sanju Samson and Steve Smith. The Royals began the chase with intent. Samson smashed the ball around like a man possessed—clean striking, brutal placement. But even with his 85, the required run rate kept climbing. Then came the turning point. Rahul Tewatia, after an excruciatingly slow start, exploded. At one point, he was 8 off 19. Then, out of nowhere, he clobbered Sheldon Cottrell for five sixes in one over. That over flipped the game.
Rajasthan sealed the win with three balls to spare. It was daring, reckless, magnificent. A record was broken. A new bar set.
Scorecard Summary of the Highest Run Chase in IPL
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Match
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Date
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Target
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Chasing Team
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Result
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Top Scorers
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PBKS vs RR
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Sep 27, 2020
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224
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Rajasthan Royals
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RR won by 4 wickets
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Mayank Agarwal (106), Sanju Samson (85), Rahul Tewatia (53 off 31)
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That match remains the highest run chase in IPL history, and it might stay at the top for a while. It wasn’t just about brute force. It was about handling pressure, keeping nerve, and pulling off a miracle.
Top 5 Highest Successful Run Chases in IPL History
IPL run chases over 200 used to be rare. Now, with power-hitters across line-ups and flat tracks everywhere, they’ve become part of the league’s DNA. But only a few teams have really cracked the art of chasing mammoth scores.
Here’s a quick rundown of the top 5 highest successful run chases in IPL history, where audacity met execution.
Top 5 Highest Run Chases in IPL
- RR vs PBKS (2020) – 226/6
The king of all chases. Tewatia’s mad over, Samson’s fireworks, and a record shattered.
- MI vs PBKS (2023) – 216/4
Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan lit up the Wankhede. Mumbai’s lineup proved again why they’re so dangerous chasing.
- DC vs GL (2017) – 214/3
Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson took apart Gujarat’s bowling. A young duo on a demolition job.
- RR vs Deccan Chargers (2008) – 215/6
One of the earliest signs that no target was safe. Graeme Smith and Yusuf Pathan were ruthless.
- MI vs CSK (2021) – 219/6
Kieron Pollard played a blinder. 87 off 34. One of the greatest T20 knocks ever, dragging Mumbai to an unlikely win.
Each of these matches was a cocktail of chaos—big scores, drama, and some truly elite batting under pressure. Teams like Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals have built reputations for being fearless in chases. The term highest run chase in IPL by MI didn’t exist until Pollard and company decided to rip up the script.
Unforgettable Innings That Made It Possible
Big chases need big moments. Not just brisk starts or cameos, but bold, fearless innings that grab the match by the collar. These are the innings that swung momentum, defied logic, and left bowlers stunned.
Here are five standout knocks that turned daunting scores into unforgettable victories.
Top 5 Iconic Innings in IPL Run Chases
- Rahul Tewatia – 53 off 31 vs PBKS (2020)
Started painfully slow. Then destroyed Cottrell. The most Jekyll-and-Hyde innings in IPL memory.
- Kieron Pollard – 87 off 34 vs CSK (2021)
Mumbai were dead. Pollard said no. He bludgeoned everything in sight and turned the impossible around.
- Rishabh Pant – 97 off 43 vs GL (2017)*
Still young, still raw, but this was Pant’s arrival. Brutal, fearless, destructive.
- Sanju Samson – 85 off 42 vs PBKS (2020)
Set the tone in the Royals’ record chase. Clean hitting, pure timing. He made it look easy.
- AB de Villiers – 75 off 51 vs RR (2014)*
Different kind of genius. No slogging. Just innovation, angles, and insane shot-making.
These weren’t just knocks—they were statements. They showed how, even when the mountain looks too steep, one man with a bat and belief can shift the game.
"In T20 cricket, no total is ever safe. If you believe, you chase. That night, we believed." — Sanju Samson, Rajasthan Royals Captain
That quote doesn’t just reflect a moment—it defines the mindset behind every great chase. It’s what separates teams that fold under pressure from those that thrive in chaos. Belief. Grit. Nerve.
From here on, we’ll dig deeper into the strategy, psychology, and team dynamics that make successful run chases in the IPL not just possible—but inevitable for some.
The Role of Strategy and Momentum in Big Run Chases
Scoring 200-plus in a T20 game isn't just about swinging hard. The greatest IPL chases aren’t built on blind aggression. They’re constructed—planned like heists, timed like symphonies.
It starts at the top. Captains play a massive role. The ones who hold their nerve and back unorthodox moves are usually the ones lifting their arms in the end. Think of Rohit Sharma calmly rotating bowlers to set up the perfect death overs. Or Steve Smith sending Tewatia up the order when no one else would’ve dared.
Then there's momentum. That invisible tide that swings games. The best chasers ride it. They don’t panic if the required rate climbs in the middle overs. They know it only takes one over—six balls of madness—to flip a match on its head.
The powerplay is critical. Chase well early, and the pressure stays off. Fumble it, and the middle order walks a tightrope. It’s why teams like Mumbai Indians keep explosive openers—Kishan, Rohit, even Cameron Green at times.
But external factors matter too. Dew in evening games can turn bowlers into tourists. Wet balls make it hard to grip, and spinners suffer. Pitches with true bounce and short boundaries mean even mishits fly over the ropes. Smart teams read all of that before a ball is bowled. And when it comes to reshuffling the order, the best sides don’t wait—they react. They send in pinch-hitters or anchor men depending on the flow. No ego. Just results.
Compare that to losing sides—teams that let the run rate creep, don’t adjust the plan, or send the wrong player at the wrong time. That hesitation kills chases.
The IPL’s highest successful run chases have always been less about miracle shots and more about timing the attack—knowing when to consolidate, when to explode, and when to risk everything.
IPL Teams with the Most Successful Run Chases
There’s a reason some teams in the IPL are feared when chasing. It’s not luck. It’s legacy, attitude, and a pattern of delivering under pressure.
Let’s break down the sides that have built reputations as elite chasing machines.
Top IPL Teams in Successful Run Chases
- Mumbai Indians (MI)
Known for calm under pressure and explosive depth, MI have mastered the art of chasing. Their 219 against CSK in 2021 and 216 vs PBKS in 2023 show why they dominate this category. The highest run chase in IPL by MI was no fluke—it was clinical. Whether it’s Suryakumar’s flair, Pollard’s brute force, or Hardik’s finishing, they come hard at you when the target’s big.
- Rajasthan Royals (RR)
They don’t always get the headlines, but RR hold the record for the highest successful run chase in IPL history—226 against Punjab. They’ve done it with different captains, different squads, but one constant: belief. They back their instincts and trust game-changers like Samson and Buttler.
- Delhi Capitals (DC)
A team once labelled inconsistent, Delhi have turned a corner. Their 214 against Gujarat in 2017 was built on youthful aggression—Pant and Samson again. What stands out is their commitment to intent. No waiting. Just hitting.
Over the years, chasing has gone from backup plan to preferred method for many teams. And these sides have shown that, when done right, there’s no score too big.
The Thrill of the Impossible
You don’t forget the big chases. The calm before the storm. The rising required rate. The over where the tide turns. The six that makes the dugout erupt. These are the moments that define the IPL.
The highest score chase in IPL isn’t just about records. It’s about courage. About saying, “Yeah, we’ll have a crack, ” when most teams would fold. Rajasthan’s 226 wasn’t just a number—it was a statement. That belief matters more than history. That on your day, anything’s chaseable.
This league’s built for chaos. And in that chaos, chasing giants rise. Whether it's the muscle of Mumbai, the guts of Rajasthan, or the flair of Delhi, the IPL keeps rewriting what we think is possible. So next time a team posts 220, don’t blink. Because somewhere in that dressing room, someone’s already dreaming of the chase.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the highest run chase in IPL history?
The Rajasthan Royals chased down 226 against Punjab Kings in 2020, setting the record for the highest run chase in IPL history.
- Which team has chased the highest score in IPL most often?
Mumbai Indians have pulled off multiple high chases, including 219 and 216, showing why the highest run chase in IPL by MI is among the most feared.
- What’s the highest run chase in IPL scorecard details?
In 2020, PBKS posted 223/2. RR replied with 226/6 in 19.3 overs. Key innings came from Sanju Samson, Rahul Tewatia, and Steve Smith.
- Who played the best innings in a run chase?
Kieron Pollard’s 87 off 34* vs CSK in 2021 stands out for sheer power, poise, and precision.
- Is chasing easier in the IPL?
Often, yes. Flat tracks, small grounds, and dew make chasing advantageous—if you’ve got the hitters and the nerve to go for it.