The Greatest IPL Finals, Ranked

Eighteen IPL seasons have produced eighteen finals. Some were one-sided. Others were among the most dramatic nights cricket has seen. Here are our seven favourites, ranked by drama, quality and the moments fans still talk about.

1. 2019: Mumbai vs Chennai, won by 1 run

The two most successful franchises met in Hyderabad, with Mumbai defending just 149. Chennai's Shane Watson kept them in the hunt with 80, until he was run out in the final over. With two needed off the last ball, Lasith Malinga trapped Shardul Thakur lbw. Mumbai won their fourth title by the smallest possible margin. Jasprit Bumrah, who took 2 for 14, was Player of the Match.

2. 2023: Chennai vs Gujarat, won off the last ball

Rain washed out the scheduled day, so the final was played on the reserve day in Ahmedabad. Gujarat made 214, with Sai Sudharsan scoring 96. More rain reduced Chennai's target to 171 from 15 overs. With 10 needed off the last two balls, Ravindra Jadeja hit a six and then a four. Chennai matched Mumbai's five titles.

3. 2017: Mumbai vs Rising Pune Supergiant, won by 1 run

Mumbai were held to 129 for 8, and Pune looked set to win their first title. They needed 11 from the final over, bowled by Mitchell Johnson. He removed Manoj Tiwary and captain Steve Smith, and Pune finished one run short.

4. 2008: Rajasthan vs Chennai, won off the last ball

The first IPL final set the tone. Shane Warne's Rajasthan Royals, one of the cheapest squads in the league, chased 164 in Navi Mumbai and got there off the very last ball. Yusuf Pathan was Player of the Match after taking three wickets and scoring a quick fifty.

5. 2014: Kolkata vs Punjab, won by 3 wickets

Wriddhiman Saha became the first player to score a hundred in an IPL final, making 115 not out as Kings XI Punjab reached 199. Kolkata's reply was led by Manish Pandey, whose 94 took them to their second title with three balls to spare.

Saha scored the first hundred in an IPL final, and still finished on the losing side.

6. 2016: Sunrisers vs RCB, won by 8 runs

RCB had Virat Kohli at his peak after a record 973-run season, but Sunrisers posted 208, with David Warner making 69 and Ben Cutting smashing a late 39 not out. Chris Gayle and Kohli gave RCB a flying start before the chase fell away.

7. 2025: RCB vs Punjab, won by 6 runs

Not the most dramatic final, but perhaps the most emotional. Krunal Pandya's 2 for 17 was the difference as RCB defended 190 and won their first title after 17 years of waiting.

Honourable mention: 2018

Chennai returned from a two-year suspension and won the title, chasing 179 against Sunrisers thanks to Shane Watson's unbeaten 117. It was only the second hundred ever scored in an IPL final.