Jos Buttler’s century helps Rajasthan Royals record highest successful run chase in IPL

Rajasthan Royals equalled the highest-ever chase in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match when they snatched a narrow two-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders from the jaws of defeat.

Needing 224 to win, Jos Buttler’s century, along with cameos from Riyan Parag and Rovman Powell, helped RR equal their own record for the highest run chase. The Royals had earlier chased 224 against Kings XI Punjab (now called Punjab Kings) in 2020.

In the history of the IPL, Rajasthan Royals have been involved in four of the top five highest run chases, with the Jaipur-based franchise winning in three of them.

Batting first, KKR scored a mammoth 223/6 in their 20 overs, with Sunil Narine bringing up his maiden T20 century. Narine scored 109 in 56 balls with 13 fours and six sixes and was aided by a quick-fire 30 off 18 balls from Angkrish Raghuvanshi.

In reply, KKR seemed to call the shots by taking wickets at regular intervals, and with many RR batters not able to convert starts, the IPL 2024 table toppers were staring at a huge mountain to climb.

RR played a gamble, sending Ravichandran Ashwin ahead of Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell but the ploy did not work as Ashwin could only manage 8 runs and Hetmyer was dismissed off the first ball, both by Varun Chakravarthy.

However, Powell took on Narine and with Buttler starting to open up, RR sniffed a win and although Powell was out for 26 (13 balls, 1 four, 3 sixes), Buttler kept his cool to see his team through in a record run chase.

Highest successful run chases in the IPL

2024 - Kolkata Knight Riders 223/6 lost to Rajasthan Royals 224/8

2020 - Kings XI Punjab 223/2 lost to Rajasthan Royals 226/6

2021 - Chennai Super Kings 218/4 lost to Mumbai Indians 219/6

2008 - Deccan Chargers 214/5 lost to Rajasthan Royals 217/7

2023 - Rajasthan Royals 214/2 lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad 217/6