The IPL has witnessed remarkable turnarounds over the years. Teams that looked thin on paper have gone on to script history by lifting the trophy. Meanwhile, those considered favourites have struggled to live up to their hype. Rajasthan Royals’ IPL triumph in the inaugural season, Mumbai Indian’s remarkable 2015 campaign, and Gujarat Titans’ debut IPL season are some examples of franchises defying odds.
Every IPL season brings fresh hopes for franchises. Cricket fans are driven by excitement, while betting enthusiasts rely on IPL betting odds. There are many title-winning favourites ahead of a new season. However, all could change once the season starts. The underdog could topple the contenders, and IPL has many such examples since its inception in 2018.
This blog lists five franchises that did the unthinkable in IPL.
5 Franchises Who Shook The IPL
Since the success of IPL, there have been many franchise T20 leagues across the globe. However, IPL remains the biggest and most competitive T20 league. Winning the league means earning the biggest jackpot in T20 cricket and a great cricketing achievement. A total of eight franchises have won the league. Some were the favourites, while others defied the odds to clinch the silverware.
Here are five franchises that defied the odds in IPL:
Rajasthan Royals (2008)
Rajasthan Royals came into the inaugural edition of the IPL season without much fanfare. Apart from the likes of Shane Warne, Graeme Smith, and Mohammad Kaif, the Jaipur-based franchise didn’t have any proven players in its squad. Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders were considered the favourites to win the first IPL season.
To the surprise of cricket pundits and fans, the Rajasthan Royals became the team to beat. They lost just three games in the league stage and topped the points table with 22 points from 14 games. Shane Watson and Munaf Patel combined to thrash the Delhi Capitals by 105 runs in the semifinal. Meanwhile, in the final, they snatched a final-ball victory against Chennai Super Kings. The Royals’ triumph remains one of the finest performances in an IPL season.
Mumbai Indians (2013)
It is not always possible to win an IPL trophy after losing Qualifier 1 . After finishing second in the standings in IPL 2013, the Mumbai Indians met the Chennai Super Kings in the opening match of the playoffs. They suffered a crushing 48-run defeat at the hands of Dhoni and his men.
The Mumbai-based franchise bounced back in style, sealing their place in the final after defeating Rajasthan Royals by 4 wickets in Qualifier 2. Harbhajan Singh took three wickets and hit the winning runs. Chennai Super Kings awaited them in the final. Caribbean all-rounder Kieron Pollard brought his A game and steered Mumbai to their first IPL title. He scored an unbeaten 60 and took 1/34.
Kolkata Knight Riders (2014)
Kolkata Knight Riders found themselves in trouble after suffering a ten-run defeat at the hands of Rajasthan Royals in their seventh match of the IPL 2014 season. They picked up just four points from seven outings and were doomed for another playoff-less season at the halfway mark of the season.
However, the Kolkata outfit produced a remarkable turnaround. They won seven games in a row, six of them while chasing, and sealed a place in the playoffs by finishing second in the standings. Umesh Yadav’s heroics in Qualifier 1 sealed their place in the final. Against Kings XI Punjab, the Knight Riders chased down 200 with three balls to spare and lifted their maiden IPL trophy. It remains the highest score chased down in an IPL final.
Mumbai Indians (2015)
Is it possible to win an IPL after losing five of the six opening matches in a season? The Mumbai Indians proved that it is possible in 2015. After a disastrous start to the campaign, where they lost the opening four games before opening their account, the then Rohit Sharma-led side went on to win the trophy. Mumbai finished second in the standings after taking just two points from the first six games.
A victory over Chennai Super Kings in Qualifier 1 sealed their place in the final. Half-centuries from Lendl Simmons and Rohit Sharma and brilliant performances by Mitchell McClenaghan, Lasith Malinga, and Harbhajan Singh saw them outmuscle Kolkata Knight Riders in the final to lift a second IPL title.
Gujarat Titans (2022)
Winning an IPL season in the debut season is a dream come true for any franchise. Gujarat Titans realized it after winning the trophy in the 2022 season. Neither fans nor pundits considered the Ahmedabad-based franchise a favorite despite having the likes of Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami, Shubman Gill, David Miller, etc. However, Hardik and his men proved everyone wrong.
The Titans won eight of their first nine fixtures. They topped the league with 20 points from 14 outings. However, Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers were predicted to lift the trophy. A seven-wicket win over the Royals saw them book a place in the final, while they eased to a seven-wicket win in the final. The Titans made a remarkable debut in the IPL.
IPL Predictions
It is always difficult to predict the winner in a T20 match. IPL odds can favour the most successful team. However, it is a long season, and a team can recover from a difficult start and go on to do the unthinkable. That’s what makes IPL one of the most entertaining and enthralling leagues in the world.
