From Dhoni to Kohli, The Indian Premier League has given cricket fans 16 years of unforgettable memories since its inception in 2008. As we approach the business end of IPL 2024, let’s take a nostalgic journey through the greatest moments in IPL history – the game-changing performances, last-ball thrillers, and emotional farewells that define this tournament’s legacy.
From Dhoni to Kohli, This 3,000+ word definitive guide covers:
✔ Top 10 iconic IPL moments (2008-2024)
✔ 5 greatest individual performances
✔ 3 most controversial incidents
✔ Evolution of IPL through the years
✔ Where are those heroes now?
✔ Expert picks for future IPL legends
The 10 Most Iconic Moments in IPL History
1. CSK’s Fairytale 2023 Comeback (Dhoni’s Last Dance?)
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Backstory: CSK returned after 2-year ban
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Climax: Last-ball win vs GT in final
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Magic Moment: Jadeja’s 10 runs off last 2 balls
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Legacy: Cemented Dhoni as IPL’s greatest captain
Relive the final over on IPL’s official YouTube.
2. Kohli’s 973-run Season (2016)
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Records Shattered:
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Most runs in season (still stands)
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4 centuries (unmatched)
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38 sixes (record then)
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Impact: Redefined T20 batting standards
3. MI’s 5 Title Wins (2013-2020)
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Dynasty Built On:
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Rohit’s captaincy genius
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Malinga-Bumrah death bowling
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Pandya brothers’ all-round show
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4. Rajasthan Royals’ 2008 Cinderella Story
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Underdog Triumph:
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Lowest budget team
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Shane Warne’s magical leadership
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Yusuf Pathan’s explosive batting
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*5. Chris Gayle’s 175* (2013)*
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Stats for Ages:
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30-ball hundred (fastest then)
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17 sixes (single-match record)
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66% of RCB’s total runs
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6. KKR’s 2014 Resurgence
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Turnaround: From 7th in 2013 to champions
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Heroes: Uthappa (Orange Cap), Narine (MVP)
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Tactical Innovation: Robin as specialist opener
7. Dhoni’s 2019 “Dad’s Army” Triumph
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Against All Odds:
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Oldest squad average age (34.5)
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Watson’s injured final knock
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Last title before COVID break
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8. Hardik Pandya’s GT Fairytale (2022)
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Expansion Team Magic:
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Title in debut season
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Miller’s clutch 94* in qualifier
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Rashid’s all-round brilliance
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9. ABD’s 360° Masterclass (2015)
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Match: RCB vs MI (Wankhede)
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Specialty: 133* off 59 with 19 fours
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Legacy: Invented new batting angles
10. IPL’s COVID-19 UAE Resumption (2021)
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Historical Context:
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First major cricket post-pandemic
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Dubai bio-bubble success
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CSK’s phoenix-like comeback
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5 Greatest Individual Performances
Player | Match | Performance | Impact |
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1. Kieron Pollard | MI vs KXIP 2019 | 83*(31) | Biggest successful chase |
2. Alzarri Joseph | MI vs SRH 2019 | 6/12 | Best bowling figures |
3. Brendon McCullum | RCB vs SRH 2016 | 158*(64) | IPL’s first century |
4. Rashid Khan | GT vs LSG 2022 | 4/24 + 40*(21) | Perfect all-round show |
5. MS Dhoni | CSK vs RCB 2019 | 84*(48) | Vintage finishing masterclass |
3 Most Controversial Incidents
1. Slapgate (2008)
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Parties: Sreesanth vs Harbhajan
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Aftermath: Bhaji banned for season
2. Spot-Fixing Scandal (2013)
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Teams Involved: RR, CSK
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Fallout: 2-year suspensions for franchises
3. Umpiring Howler (MI vs RCB 2019)
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Error: No-ball missed on last ball
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Consequence: New DRS protocols introduced
Read CrickViews’ full controversy retrospective.
Evolution of IPL Through Eras
2008-2012: The Pioneering Years
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Characteristics:
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50-over mindset
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Indian stars dominated
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Low scoring games
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2013-2017: The T20 Revolution
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Game Changers:
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200+ scores normalized
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Overseas stars flourished
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Strategic timeouts introduced
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2018-2023: The Professional Era
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Trends:
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Data analytics dominance
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170 became par score
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Emergence of new franchises
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2024-Present: The Next Generation
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Current Shifts:
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Impact Player rule
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Younger captains
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USA expansion plans
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Where Are Those Heroes Now?
Retired Legends
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Shane Warne: Passed away (2022)
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Chris Gayle: T20 globetrotter
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Brendon McCullum: England coach
Current Mentors
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MS Dhoni: CSK mentor
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Virender Sehwag: Commentator
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Gautam Gambhir: KKR mentor
Still Active
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Dinesh Karthik: RCB player-commentator
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Rohit Sharma: Playing for MI
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Virat Kohli: RCB’s batting mainstay
Expert Picks for Future IPL Legends
Harsha Bhogle’s Choices
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Yashasvi Jaiswal
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Rinku Singh
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Mayank Yadav
Sunil Gavaskar’s Prediction
“Riyan Parag will break Kohli’s season record by 2027”
Ricky Ponting’s View
“Arshdeep Singh could become IPL’s all-time leading wicket-taker”
Read More: IPL 2024 Controversies & Umpiring Decisions: The Biggest Debates Shaking the Tournament
How to Relive Classic IPL Moments
Streaming Options
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Disney+ Hotstar: Full match replays
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JioCinema: Classic match compilations
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IPL Website: Historical stats archive
Must-Watch Documentaries
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“The IPL Story” on Netflix
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“MS Dhoni: The IPL Years” on Prime
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“Gayle Force” on YouTube
For daily nostalgia content, visit CrickViews.