IPL turns 18: Landmark moments which make the league 'incredible'

April 18, 2025 officially marks the day when the Indian Premier League ( IPL ) turns 18, considering the first-ever IPL match was played on the same day back in 2008.

The tournament has produced some incredible moments of brilliance over the years, enthralling one and all with constant twists and turns. Even a target of 250 seems chaseable within 20 overs, showcasing the incredible power and quality of batting.

Without much ado, here's a look at 18 landmark moments which make the IPL such an incredible league:

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1) Brendon McCullum's 158*: Any discussion on the IPL would be incomplete without taking a look at former New Zealand batter Brendon McCullum's unbeaten 158* off 73 balls in the IPL opener against RCB. McCullum smashed 10 fours and 13 sixes during his knock, helping KKR post a jaw-dropping total of 222. RCB were bowled out for 82, resulting in a triumph by 140 runs for KKR.


2) Michael Hussey's 116*(54): While the discussion around McCullum's 158* certainly dominates the limelight, not many people are aware of then-CSK batter Michael Hussey's 116*(54). Hussey smashed eight fours and nine sixes in his knock against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) on the second day of IPL 2008, helping CSK post 240. Two centuries were scored across the opening two days of IPL, which few are aware of.


3) RR's 'underdog' triumph: Rajasthan Royals (RR) stunned one and all after winning IPL 2008, following a triumph in the edition's final against MS Dhoni-led CSK. The match went down to the last ball where Shane Warne and Pakistan cricketer Sohail Tanvir pulled off a tight single to help their side record a historic win.


4) Deccan Chargers' stunning comeback: The IPL 2009 final witnessed an incredible sight as the two teams which had finished in the last two positions during IPL 2008, managed to reach the edition's final. Not many backed the Deccan Chargers to pull off a triumph against RCB after captain Adam Gilchrist was dismissed for a duck. However, the players fought together as a unit to pull off a sensational win by six runs in a nail-biting match.


5) Mahi magic wins CSK two consecutive IPL titles: CSK became the first team to win the IPL in two consecutive editions, pulling off the feat in IPL 2010 and 2011 under MS Dhoni's captaincy. The Chennai-based franchise showcased its dominance against MI and RCB, getting the job done under extreme pressure.

6) KKR win maiden IPL after Bisla's fighting knock: KKR had been identified as perennial underachievers till Gautam Gambhir took over KKR's captaincy in IPL 2011. Gambhir developed the team's resolve, helping them reach the edition's final for the first time ever in IPL 2012. Manvinder Bisla emerged as a surprise hero for KKR, smashing 89 runs off 48 balls as KKR won the IPL for the first time ever, denying CSK a hat-trick of IPL titles.


7) Rohit Sharma kickstarts MI's IPL trophy run: Mumbai Indians (MI) won the IPL for the first time ever, defeating CSK in the IPL 2013 final. Rohit showcased his calibre as a captain, helping MI take revenge against CSK for the defeat in the IPL 2010 final.


8) Chris Gayle's 175*: West Indian cricketer Chris Gayle set the stage on fire with his incredible performance against former IPL franchise Pune Warriors India (PWI), smashing an unbeaten 175 off 66 balls. Gayle's unbeaten 175 is still the highest score in the league's history. His knock comprised 13 fours and 17 sixes.


9) MI's incredible chase against RR: MI managed to pull off an incredible chase against RR, despite being handed a challenging target of 190 runs in nearly 14 overs. Aditya Tare smashed a six off the last ball, helping MI qualify for the playoffs of IPL 2014.


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10) Kieron Pollard's face-off with Mitchell Starc: MI all-rounder Kieron Pollard nearly got into a physical fight with then-RCB pacer Mitchell Starc following an exchange of words in an IPL 2014 match. Pollard nearly flung his bat at Starc, reacting in anger following a remark by the Australian pacer.


11) First-ever Super Over: The first-ever Super Over took place in IPL 2009 between KKR and RR. Both teams scored 150 runs in their respective 20 overs. Yusuf Pathan helped RR chase the required 16 runs in only four balls.


12) Alzarri Joseph's record-breaking spell: West Indian pacer Alzarri Joseph recorded the best spell in IPL history so far, picking six wickets while conceding 12 runs in an IPL 2019 match between MI and SRH.


13) CSK's incredible league triumph after comeback to IPL: CSK won the IPL in their first season after returning to the league following a two-year ban, pulling off a dominant win against SRH in the IPL 2018 final.


14) Rohit Sharma becomes 1st captain to win IPL five times: Rohit Sharma became the first captain in the history of IPL to win the tournament five times with a franchise, following MI's league triumph in IPL 2020.


15) PBKS chase down 262 against KKR: IPL franchise Punjab Kings (PBKS) chased down a target of 262 against KKR at the Eden Gardens in IPL 2024, recording the highest run-chase in IPL history.

16) Highest total in IPL history: SRH registered the highest total in the history of the tournament, after scoring 287 runs against RCB in IPL 2024.

17) First hat-trick in IPL history: The first hat-trick in IPL history was recorded by Lakshmipathy Balaji while representing CSK in IPL 2008 against KXIP. He accounted for the dismissals of Irfan Pathan, Piyush Chawla, and VRV Singh.

18) Two Super Overs in a match: Fans got to witness two Super overs for the first time in an IPL match between MI and then-KXIP back in the 2020 edition of the tournament. Mohammad Shami emerged as the hero for KXIP, helping them push the match till the second Super Over. Chris Gayle secured the win in the second Super Over, chasing down the target of 12 runs in four balls.