When one Super Over wasn’t enough, history was made
The 18th of October 2020 will always be remembered as the night IPL history was rewritten. In a season already filled with thrillers, the match between the Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) took things to an unprecedented level.
For the first time ever, an IPL match witnessed two Super Overs to determine the winner. As if that wasn’t enough, earlier in the day, the Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad also played a Super Over, marking the first time in IPL history that two matches in a single day required tie-breakers.
However, the Mumbai vs. Punjab clash stole the show, delivering one of the greatest finishes the league had ever seen.
Credit: ESPNcricinfo
Mumbai Indians scored 176/6 in their 20 overs, with Quinton de Kock (53) and Kieron Pollard (34) making crucial contributions. Punjab, led by KL Rahul’s 77 off 51, levelled the match at 176 following a tense final over bowled by Trent Boult.
This required a Super Over to determine the winner.
Credit: ESPNcricinfo
Punjab sent out KL Rahul and Nicholas Pooran to face Jasprit Bumrah, who was in lethal form. Bumrah dismissed Pooran early, controlling the runs effectively. With only 5 runs on the board, Punjab struggled as Deepak Hooda and Rahul couldn’t push the total higher.
Credit: ESPNcricinfo
Mumbai, needing just 6 runs to win, sent out Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock. However, in one of the finest Super Over spells ever, Mohammed Shami bowled an impeccable over, delivering yorker after yorker. With two runs required off the final ball, de Kock was run out, resulting in the Super Over also finishing tied at 5-5.
For the first time in IPL history, a second Super Over was needed.
The rules stipulated new batters and a different bowler for the second Super Over. Mumbai Indians sent out Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard, whilst Punjab handed the ball to Chris Jordan.
Jordan performed admirably, restricting Mumbai to just 11/1, thus setting Punjab a target of 12 to win.
Credit: ESPNcricinfo
With the match on the line, Chris Gayle and Mayank Agarwal walked out to chase. Boult, who had successfully defended 8 runs in the final over of the main innings, was entrusted with the responsibility.
Gayle wasted no time, smashing a six off the very first ball. A single followed, leaving Agarwal to finish the job. He did so in style, hitting back-to-back fours to seal the victory for Punjab in just four balls.
Credit: ESPNcricinfo
The celebrations erupted—Punjab had won after two Super Overs, creating an unforgettable IPL moment.
This match will forever be memorable in IPL history as it marked the first match ever to require two Super Overs and was the second time on the same day that a game was decided by a Super Over. Mohammed Shami’s Super Over was one of the finest ever bowled, showcasing incredible skill.
Meanwhile, Chris Gayle and Mayank Agarwal chased down the second Super Over in just four balls. This was IPL at its absolute best—a night of madness, nerves, and history in the making.
