Highest Run Chase in IPL: Complete History and Records (2026 Update)

The IPL has always been a festival of batsmanship but nowhere does the tale of evolution provide more insight than in the story about the highest run chase in IPL history. Batters challenge the definition of “unchaseable” every season, and we got yet another astounding example in 2026. From the entire top-10 list to key records and the frequently asked questions we answer all you need to know about highest run chase in IPL.

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What Is the Highest Run Chase in IPL Right Now?

The highest-ever run chase in IPL history is held by Punjab Kings (PBKS) and lays back to the 2026 season. Punjab Kings chased down a target of 265 against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on 25 April 2026. In fact this is now the highest ever successful run chase in IPL and T20 history!

Delhi Capitals scored 264/2 in their 20 overs, propelled by KL Rahul’s incredible unbeaten 152 off just 67 balls the third-highest individual score in IPL history. Nitish Rana aided him with 91 off 44 deliveries and the pair put on a franchise record partnership of 220 runs for Delhi Capitals. Most of us thought the game was pretty much over with that total on the scoreboard.

However, Punjab Kings had other ideas. PBKS came out with all guns blazing chasing 265. The first to open the innings, Priyansh Arya hit a six on his very first ball and along with the opening batsman raced away to 36 runs in less than two overs. It also was the second-highest powerplay score in IPL history, with an aggregate of 116 coming just during the initial six overs. It was a kill of Prabhsimran Singh who scored 76 off 26 balls, while captain Shreyas Iyer signed the game with an unbeaten 71 off just 36 balls. Punjab chased down the highest target in IPL history with an over to spare, finishing with 18.5 overs complete.

This has not only ended the IPL record, but it is now the highest ever score chased down in T20 cricket profusely making it a historic day for the Indian cricket.

The Previous Record: Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders (2024)

Interestingly, Punjab Kings already had the record for second-highest successful IPL run chase before this 2026 masterclass. 26-Apr-24 Eden Gardens (Kolkata) Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders Total: 261/6 in 20 overs Jonny Bairstow produced a blistering 108 off just 48 runs, and Shashank Singh ended with an unbeaten 68. Punjab chased down the target of 262 runs and went home with 262/2, with eight balls to spare.

So that even makes Punjab Kings the only franchise ever in IPL history to successfully chase a target more than 250 before facing them in the line of fire during the chase for 2026. Punjab Kings have now done this twice under Shreyas Iyer a reflection of their high-risk, fearless batting overall with the new 265-run chase in 2026.

Complete List: Top 10 Highest Run Chases in IPL History

As such the table below outlines the ten highest run chases in IPL history based on what was chased down with batting second.

Rank	Team (Chasing)	Target	Chased Total	Opponent	Season	Key Performers
1	Punjab Kings	265	265/4	Delhi Capitals	2026	Prabhsimran Singh (76), Shreyas Iyer (71*)
2	Punjab Kings	262	262/2	Kolkata Knight Riders	2024	Jonny Bairstow (108), Shashank Singh (68)
3	Sunrisers Hyderabad	247	250/3	Punjab Kings	2025	Abhishek Sharma (141)
4	Sunrisers Hyderabad	244	249/4	Mumbai Indians	2026	Heinrich Klaasen, Ishan Kishan
5	Sunrisers Hyderabad	229	233/3	Rajasthan Royals	2026	Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan
6	Royal Challengers Bengaluru	227	230/6	Lucknow Super Giants	2025	Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar
7	Punjab Kings	225	227/4	Lucknow Super Giants	2025	Jitesh Sharma
8	Mumbai Indians	219	220/6	Chennai Super Kings	2021	Suryakumar Yadav
9	Rajasthan Royals	214	217/7	Deccan Chargers	2008	Shane Watson, Yusuf Pathan
10	Kolkata Knight Riders	191	200/5	Chennai Super Kings	2018	Sunil Narine, Robin Uthappa

Disclaimer: Exact runs and balls faced may differ slightly between various scorecards, but the order of ranking above reflects the general consensus on which match in IPL history is the highest successful run chase (as of 2026).

Why Chases Are Getting Bigger Every Year

If we focus on this table, it becomes clear that – the record of highest run chase in IPL has been rewritten quite often every season. Of the six best entries in this list, five were in progress since 2024. Here are some reasons for that trend:

Flatter, batting-friendly pitches: A lot of arenas in the IPL now yield flat, high-bounce surfaces favouring batters to some extent at the cost of incentivizing bowlers.
The Impact Player Rule: A10 out-of-the-box rule that allows teams to play an additional specialist batter, without weakening their attack, thus giving captains full control in the second innings of run chases.
Above-average batting prowess: New-age batters are trained from Day 1 to launch into the drive and there simply weren’t as many factors available for front-foot power-hitting a decade ago.
Fearless team strategies: Punjab Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad franchises had ultra-aggressive batting methodology where even targets upto 250s were seen as gettable rather than daunting.
Smaller grounds, bigger bats: Due to advancements in bat technology players are hitting the ball farther and cleaner than ever with their size contributing directly to a higher maximum run-chase in IPL stopped almost every season.

With these considered, cricketing experts expect an even bigger IPL record for the highest successful run chases to occur soon, and maybe get too well over 270 runs or can cross even the 280-run mark in coming years.

Historical Milestones in IPL Run Chases

To appreciate the highest of today’s IPL record run chase fully, it is worth noting how far this format has come:

In the inaugural season of IPL in 2008, Rajasthan Royals became the first team to successfully chase a target in excess of 200+ runs while chasing down Deccan Chargers’ target.
Chases above 220 were once a rarity and notoriously difficult for over a decade.
When MI chased 219 in the 2021 Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings match, it was a watershed moment.
All that was shattered when Punjab Kings looked for 260+ chases on the same Eden Gardens track during IPL 2024.

Finally, it was the milestone chase against Delhi Capitals in IPL – which also records as the second highest ever in T20 games overall- where Punjab Kings etching her place into history books until challenged as undoubtedly best-chasing team through out (IPL).

Punjab Kings: Masters of the Chase

The highest run chase in IPL talks will be incomplete without the stat that Punjab Kings has been able to achieve in this very category. They are unique as the only franchise that have chased 250-plus totals – and they achieved such feats on two occasions. With their belligerent top order, gratifying middle order clean shots with Rahul Tewatia and captain Shreyas Iyer holding fort on the last ball as well, they have turned into the most dangerous team to chase against! Cricket analysts believed that their aggressive batting style was one of the main reasons behind their consecutive record-breaking performances against Royal Challengers (RCB) in IPL for the highest runs chase.

Conclusion about Highest Run Chase in IPL

It is in this light that the greatest chases in IPL history really should be viewed and the ever-faster, always bolder, increasingly unpredictable mutation of T20 cricket as a whole. The definition of what is “chaseable” has changed dramatically from the first 217-run chase in history when Rajasthan Royals chased down to Punjab Kings’ uphill battle chasing down a record-breaking goal of 265 runs. Off 8 overs/60 balls, played on 20th October,2026. Do not be surprised if soon, even 215 in IPL history is broken by modern batting with flatter pitches and the impact player rule.

FAQs about Highest Run Chase in IPL

1. What is the highest run chase in IPL history?

Highest Run Chase In IPL: 265 Runs (Punjab Kings v Delhi Capitals, Arun Jaitley Stadium, 25 April 2026)

2. Which team holds the record for the highest run chase in IPL?

Punjab Kings have chased down the most runs-ever in an IPL match. They are the only side to chase down 250+ totals, twice in fact for 262 against KKR in 2024 and for 265 against DC in 2026.

3. Who scored the most runs in the innings that set up the highest run chase in IPL?

Delhi Capitals had scored the record 264 run target, when KL Rahul scored an unbeaten 152 off 67 balls, which was chased down by Punjab Kings.

4. What was the previous record before the 265-run chase?

The record run chase of 262 was done by Punjab Kings against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024 and consisted of an unbeaten century from Jonny Bairstow to leave the temporary highest mark on IPL history before the one that would be set in 2026.

5. Who was the first team to chase 200-plus runs in IPL history?

In IPL’s history, the first team to successfully chase a total of over 200 was Rajasthan Royals in 2008 whose score was 217/7 against Deccan Chargers.

6. Why are IPL run chases getting bigger every season?

Flatter pitches, the impact player rule, extremely aggressive teams and modern-day power-hitting methods have led to teams continuously raising the highest target achieved- in IPL history in recent times.