The Indian Premier League (IPL) has established itself as the most competitive and popular T20 cricket league in the world. Over the years, IPL has delivered countless edge-of-the-seat encounters, none more impactful than its thrilling finals.
From last-ball victories to underdog stories, the IPL Final often becomes the most-watched cricket event globally. As IPL 2025 gains momentum, it’s the perfect time to revisit the most unforgettable IPL finals in history.
Top 5 best IPL finals
Finals give icing on the cake for a successful Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Teams toil hard in the 70+ games tournament to reach the finals. Winners of the finals in the last 18 years have had lots of moments with shocking results, that has surprised even the biggest pundits of the game. From undergoing winning the tournament to last ball finishes, The Indian Premier League (IPL) finals, probably is the most watched cricket match in the world.In this article, we’ll look back and revisit the Top 5 Best IPL Finals of all time
1. Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings – IPL 2008 Final
The inaugural IPL final marked the beginning of a new era in cricket. The match featured two of the tournament’s most consistent teams—Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Under the leadership of Shane Warne, RR chased down CSK’s total in a closely contested final. Yusuf Pathan’s all-round performance and Shane Warne’s captaincy became the talking points of the first-ever IPL final.
Match Summary:
Chennai Super Kings: 163/5 (20 overs)
Rajasthan Royals: 164/7 (20 overs)
Player of the Match: Yusuf Pathan
Player of the Series: Shane Watson
#Onthisday Rajasthan Royals defeated CSK by 3 wickets in the 2008 IPL final. pic.twitter.com/APh1y6Xx8R
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) June 1, 2020
2. Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings – IPL 2019 Final
One of the most iconic matches in IPL history, the 2019 final between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings was a tactical and emotional rollercoaster. MI posted a modest total, and CSK came close to chasing it down.
With two runs needed off the last ball, Lasith Malinga dismissed Shardul Thakur, securing a 1-run win for Mumbai Indians, their fourth IPL title. Jasprit Bumrah was named Player of the Match for his exceptional spell.
Match Summary:
Mumbai Indians: 149/8 (20 overs)
Chennai Super Kings: 148/7 (20 overs)
Player of the Match: Jasprit Bumrah
Player of the Series: Andre Russell
On this day in 2019 Mumbai Indians defeated CSK and became 4 times champion 💙.One of the greatest IPL finals ever@mipaltan @ImRo45 pic.twitter.com/alqUh5gJ2V
— Asha (@ashaa_45) May 12, 2022
3. Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru – IPL 2016 Final
The 2016 IPL final was a high-scoring battle between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Batting first, SRH posted a massive 208, powered by David Warner and Ben Cutting.
RCB’s chase started strongly with Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli adding quick runs, but a collapse in the middle order handed SRH a memorable win by just 8 runs.
Match Summary:
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 208/7 (20 overs)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 200/7 (20 overs)
Player of the Match: Ben Cutting
Player of the Series: Virat Kohli
The 2016 IPL Final 🏆#SeduceSomeoneInFourWords #OrangeArmy pic.twitter.com/8UJWd0oA5r
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) January 16, 2020
4. Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders – IPL 2012 Final
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) pulled off a stunning victory over tournament favourites Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 2012 IPL final. Despite a strong start by CSK, which saw them score 190, KKR successfully chased the target.
Manvinder Bisla’s 89 off 48 balls was the defining moment of the final. His partnership with Jacques Kallis guided KKR to their maiden IPL trophy.
Match Summary:
Chennai Super Kings: 190/3 (20 overs)
Kolkata Knight Riders: 192/5 (19.4 overs)
Player of the Match: Manvinder Bisla
Player of the Series: Sunil Narine
IPL Final. May 27th, 2012. Five minutes after @tiwarymanoj's winning shot at the Chepauk, coach Trevor Bayliss called all the players & staff into the dressing room & asked to close the doors pic.twitter.com/TGup46pvgV
— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) May 27, 2023
5. Mumbai Indians vs Rising Pune Supergiant – IPL 2017 Final
The 2017 IPL final is one of the best low-scoring thrillers in IPL history. Mumbai Indians (MI) posted just 129, and it seemed Rising Pune Supergiant would chase it comfortably.
However, tight bowling spells from Mitchell Johnson, Jasprit Bumrah, and Krunal Pandya turned the game. MI defended 11 runs in the last over, winning the final by just 1 run.
Match Summary:
Mumbai Indians: 129/8 (20 overs)
Rising Pune Supergiant: 128/6 (20 overs)
Player of the Match: Krunal Pandya
Player of the Series: Ben Stokes
#OnThisDay in 2017, Mumbai Indians won IPL title for the 3rd time by beating RPS by 1 run in Finals.
— D E E P A N K A R (@5_IPL_Titles) May 20, 2021
Low scoring thriller contest, Thanks to Johnson, Bumrah & Krunal Pandya. pic.twitter.com/2yWOKDQ3yg
Conclusion
Over the past 18 seasons, the IPL finals have provided fans with countless unforgettable moments. From debut victories to nail-biting one-run wins, each of these finals showcased why the Indian Premier League is the crown jewel of T20 cricket.
While the league has evolved with new rules like the Impact Player, its essence—close contests, drama, and world-class talent—has remained unchanged.
As we continue through IPL 2025, fans can only hope this season’s final joins the list of the most unforgettable games in IPL history.
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