Cricket is no stranger to drama, but nothing tests nerves like a Super Over finish. When scores are tied and the game enters sudden death, fans forget to breathe, players forget to blink, and history is made one ball at a time. From World Cups to franchise leagues, these moments of madness have given us heartbreaks, miracles, and goosebumps. Let’s relive the Top 10 Most Tense Super Over Finishes in cricket history.
Table of Contents
1. England vs New Zealand – 2019 World Cup Final
Venue: Lord’s
The mother of all Super Overs. After 50 overs each, and a tied Super Over, England won on boundary count — a rule that triggered global debate. Stokes and Buttler batted, Archer bowled, and Guptill’s run-out ended the most dramatic match ever.
Why it’s iconic: World Cup final + Super Over + Tied again = Peak tension.
2. India vs New Zealand – 2020 T20I (4th Match)
Venue: Wellington
New Zealand choked in the last over, sending the game into a Super Over. India chased 14 with ease thanks to Rahul and Kohli, handing NZ their second heartbreak in two games.
Drama: NZ lost despite being favorites twice in one match.
3. Mumbai Indians vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – IPL 2019
Venue: Wankhede
SRH fought hard with Nabi and Manish Pandey, but Jasprit Bumrah bowled a deadly Super Over that restricted them to 8. Hardik and Pollard sealed the win in just 3 balls.
Key moment: Bumrah’s ice-cold precision under pressure.
4. Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals – IPL 2014
Venue: Abu Dhabi
A double Super Over thriller. After both innings were tied, the first Super Over was also tied! The second Super Over saw RR edge KKR by hitting 12 runs in 4 balls.
Unreal drama: Two tied games within one — rare and crazy.
5. West Indies vs New Zealand – 2012 T20I
Venue: Lauderhill
WI batted first and set 132. NZ chased to tie. The Super Over saw Chris Gayle smash boundaries, while Narine defended brilliantly. NZ fell short again in the Super Over saga.
Power factor: Gayle’s calm + Narine’s control = match-winning combo.
6. Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians – IPL 2020 (Double Super Over)
Venue: Dubai
Not just one — but TWO Super Over finishes ! After both teams tied their 20-over innings and then the first Super Over, the second Super Over saw Punjab hold nerves and clinch victory.
Unbelievable scenes: One of the rarest and most tense finishes ever.
7. India vs Pakistan – 2007 T20 World Cup (Group Stage)
Venue: Durban
India and Pakistan played out a tie in regular time. In the Super Over (called Bowl-Out back then), India hit the stumps 3/3 while Pakistan missed all. Fans were electrified.
Historic moment: India’s early mental edge over Pakistan in T20s.
8. Sri Lanka vs New Zealand – T20I 2019
Venue: Pallekele
New Zealand again! Chasing 8, they won with a six off the 4th ball. Kiwis proved they don’t always choke — sometimes they do super over finishes with flair too.
Sweet redemption: Guptill’s clean hitting sealed it.
9. Delhi Capitals vs Kings XI Punjab – IPL 2020
Venue: Dubai
Stoinis’ clutch performance tied the game in the final over. In the Super Over finishes, Rabada bowled like a man possessed, taking 2 wickets in 3 balls and winning it for DC.
Turning point: Rabada’s unplayable yorkers crushed the chase.
10. Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Stars – BBL 2015
Venue: MCG
Both teams were evenly matched. Stars scored 19 in the Super Over finishes, but Henriques and Maddinson chased it down with a boundary off the last ball. Fireworks followed.
Classic finish: Big Bash drama at its best.
Why Super Over Finishes Are So Addictive
The Super Over is the ultimate test of nerve, clarity, and decision-making under pressure. One ball can decide a match. Captains, bowlers, and batters need to be perfect. For fans, it’s adrenaline. For players, it’s legacy.
From heartbreaks to fairytale finishes, these Super Over finishes have gone down as some of cricket’s most tense and iconic moments. They remind us why we love this game — for its unpredictability, its emotion, and its chaos under pressure. When scores tie and the Super Over finishes begins, cricket turns into pure theatre.
FAQ: Super Over Finishes in Cricket
Q1: What is a Super Over in cricket?
A Super Over is a tiebreaker where each team bats for one over (6 balls) to decide the winner when the main match ends in a tie.
Q2: Can a Super Over end in a tie?
Yes! If both teams score the same runs in the Super Over finishes, it’s declared a tie — unless tournament rules specify a second Super Over or a winner based on boundaries.
Q3: Which Super Over is considered the most intense in history?
The 2019 World Cup final between England and New Zealand is widely considered the most intense and controversial.