IPL: 5 biggest turnarounds in tournament history

IPL trophy (Photo Source: Twitter)

has witnessed some great comebacks. The most recent example was RCB qualifying for the playoffs in 2024 after winning just two of their first nine matches.While RCB did not end up winning the title in 2024, their comeback was one for the ages. Like them, a few other teams have also had a similar drought of wins in the first half of an edition before making a roaring return by winning a series of matches in the second half. Such wins are often special, as they remind everyone that it's not done until it's done.

Let's look at the top five biggest turnarounds after poor mid-season records in IPL's history: Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016

In 2016, had a roller coaster ride in the IPL. The Hyderabad-based franchise won and lost 3 matches each in their first 6 matches. SRH indeed had a good run in the following 4 matches, where they claimed 4 wins. However, things got challenging towards the end of the group stage, where they lost 3 of their last 4 matches.

From what seemed to be genuine contenders for a top 2 spot, SRH saw themselves in the third position in the points table. They then did something no other team has been able to do - Win the Eliminator, Qualifier 2, and the final to win the title. SRH showed that a team could indeed win the title by winning three consecutive matches in the playoffs.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2016

In 2016, were in a much tougher situation in the first half of the league. In their first seven matches, RCB claimed two wins and suffered five losses to be in the seventh spot in the points table. The Bengaluru-based franchise was in huge trouble and had to win almost all of their remaining matches to qualify.

RCB pulled off a memorable comeback, as they won six of their last seven matches in the Group stage. From being placed seventh in the points table, RCB ended the group stage ar the second spot. In Qualifier 1, they beat Gujarat Lions after being reduced to 29/5. While they lost the final, RCB set a benchmark for comebacks.

Chennai Super Kings in 2010

are arguably the greatest team in IPL history. They have five IPL titles and two CLT20 titles to their name, the first of which was won in 2010. Their road to winning the title was one of its kind. In 2008 and 2009, the winning teams Rajasthan Royals and the Deccan Chargers, had a simpler campaign, opposed to the complex scenario of CSK.

The Chennai-based franchise lost five of their first seven matches and were up against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP, now Punjab Kings) in a must-win game in the last match of the group stage to qualify. The rest, as they say, is history, as CSK beat KXIP before beating Deccan Chargers in the semifinal. hey finally defeated Mumbai Indians in the final to win the title.

Mumbai Indians in 2015

In 2015, did not have the strongest unit like they had in their maiden tournament winning season  (2013). In the first four matches, MI suffered consecutive losses and after six matches, they had just one win to their name. But from there, the Mumbai-based franchise had a massive turnaround as they turned the tide in some style as they won seven of their last eight group stage matches to qualify for the playoffs.

In the Qualifier 1 and the final, MI overcame their arch-rivals CSK to win their second title. In total, MI won nine of their last 10 matches. They equalled CSK and KKR for the teams with most number of IPL titles as of 2015 (two each).

Kolkata Knight Riders in 2014

Nothing was going right for in IPL 2014 in the first half. Their captain, Gautam Gambhir, had scores of 0, 0, 0, and 1 in the first four matches. While the batting was worrisome, the bowlers were doing relatively well. After suffering five consecutive losses, KKR found themselves in the seventh spot and had to make some changes for coming to winning ways.

That is when KKR promoted Robin Uthappa as the opener and the star batter provided stability with the bat and helped KKR big time. The 2012 champions did something incredible, as they not just won their last seven group stage matches, but beat also Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in the Qualifier 1 and the final to win nine consecutive matches and the title.