Best Super Over in Cricket History (Updated 2025)

Cricket has undergone many changes over the years. One such change is the introduction of super overs across the limited-overs format of the game. The super over was initially introduced to replace the bowl-out format in the T20 format of the game. A Super Over was first used in 2008 in Twenty20 cricket. In One Day International (ODI) cricket, the super over was first introduced during the knockout stages of the 2011 Cricket World Cup. Over the years, it has led to several unbreakable records in cricket.

Super over was specifically reserved for the final match of the tournament, and it was not required. In the event of a tie, the tournament would employ a Super Over to decide the final. Ties in other knockout-stage matches were resolved using the previous system, which stated that the team with the best group-stage performance advanced. In this article, we will determine the best super over in cricket history.

List of Best Super Over in Cricket History

In 2017, the ICC introduced the Super Over for the knockout stages of the Women's Cricket World Cup and Champions Trophy. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has published the official rules for Super Overs in the Standard Twenty20 International Match Playing Conditions, which have been in place since October 1, 2012. According to the International Cricket Council's (ICC) ODI Playing Conditions, which were last updated in December 2023, a tied ODI must be followed by a Super Over to determine the winner. We take a look at the list of the best super over in cricket history.

Most Exciting Super Overs in Cricket History

The best super over in cricket history is the 2019 ICC ODI World Cup final between England and New Zealand. In this match, New Zealand were unfortunate as they lost on boundary count after the super over was also tied. The final had drama and tension, along with some controversial decisions going England's way, which helped the Three Lions win their maiden ICC trophy by the barest of margins. Let us dive into some of the best super over in cricket history.

10. Delhi Capitals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad |2021 | IPL

Delhi Capitals (DC) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) faced off in Chennai due to the second COVID-19 wave. After winning the toss, DC elected to bat first, and the firepower of Prithvi Shaw's fifty helped them post a defendable total of 159/4. While chasing, the Orange Army got off to a good start after losing skipper David Warner early.
Kane Williamson and Jonny Bairstow stitched a partnership, but a middle-order collapse caused the match to go into a super over. This DC vs SRH super over has been ranked as the best super over in cricket history, as it was an easy total to chase. SRH failed to get on the line in the super over and lost the match as they added a mere 7 runs, courtesy of Axar Patel's clinical bowling. The DC vs SRH super over remains etched as one of the most exciting events in T20 cricket.

9. India vs New Zealand | 2020 | T20I

India was on a tour to New Zealand when something exciting happened in Hamilton. In the third fixture of the five-match T20I series between the sides, India scored 179 runs in 20 overs while batting first. The Kiwis, while coming out to chase lost wickets at regular intervals. Their skipper Kane Williamson was stuck on one side as he was sent back on the score of 95 runs in the final over.

With two wickets in three balls, the match was tied and went for a super over. The game has been etched as the best super over in cricket history, for Rohit Sharma's powerful performance. India was chasing 18 runs in the super over, and Rohit Sharma, along with KL Rahul, came out and smacked Tim Southee for two sixes in the last two balls of the game, winning the match for the Men in Blue.

8. Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders | 2009 | IPL

Rajasthan Royals faced Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL back in 2009. This was just the second edition of the competition; hence, the match remains special for having the first super over in IPL history. The Royals, while batting first, scored 150/6, and KKR, coming into the chase, lost their captain, Brendon McCullum, early in the match.

Chris Gayle and Sourav Ganguly scored over 40 runs for the franchise. They could not take their team home as the match was tied with two runs needed off the last ball. Ishant Sharma was run out after taking one run, and the match was tied. Coming out to bat, KKR could only score 15 runs off their first super over in the history of the IPL. For KKR, Ajantha Mendis bowled in the super over. Yusuf Pathan smacked the KKR bowlers as the Royals won the match with two balls to spare.

7. India vs Sri Lanka | 2024 | T20I

India toured Sri Lanka for a limited-overs series. This was Gautam Gambhir's first stint as a head coach for the Men in Blue. Sri Lanka outplayed India for most of the game. In the final two overs of the match, India, after batting first, scored 137/9. They defended the total with everything, pulling it to the super over where Suryakumar Yadav's side clean swept the Lankan Lions.

Sri Lanka, after a good start in the chase, faltered in the middle overs as they kept losing wickets. The India vs Sri Lanka super over saw the home side come out to bat first, but they only scored two runs as both wickets had fallen. India comfortably crossed the line with 4/0 in the super over. This India vs Sri Lanka super over remains the best super over in cricket history for the Men in Blue.

6. Mumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings | 2020 | IPL

The Mumbai Indians versus Punjab Kings IPL match in 2020 remains as one of the most epic matches in the IPL's history. It was held in Dubai due to the COVID-19 pandemic in India. Mumbai Indians, after batting first, scored 176/6 with Quinton de Kock smashing a fifty. Coming out to chase, KL Rahul anchored the innings by scoring 77 runs.

PBKS' middle order and lower order faltered as they needed 23 of the last 2.3 overs. They failed to get their team on the path of success with Chris Jordan getting run out on the final ball, which led to the match being tied. The super over took place with PBKS being able to only score 5 runs, and the heroics of Mohammed Shami saved the match as he yet again tied the match defending 6 runs. The match went on to the second super over, with PBKS finally crossing the line as Chris Gayle chased down the target of 12 runs with two balls to spare.

5. Netherlands vs West Indies | 2023 | World Cup Qualifiers

The Netherlands faced the West Indies in the all-important World Cup Qualifiers 2023 match. This was a do-or-die match for both teams as one would get to seal their place in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. The Windies, after batting first, posted a massive score of 374/6 with Nicholas Pooran scoring a century. The Dutch came out to chase and lost four wickets for just 170 runs, and were in trouble.

Later, Teja Nidamanuru scored a century, and skipper Scott Edwards scored 67 crucial runs to be in the chase. Then Logan van Beek scored 28 off 14 balls, and the match was tied. It went to a super over, and the Oranges shocked the whole cricket world. Van Beek scored 30 runs, making a world record in the super over, while the Windies lost and missed the spot in the World Cup group stage. This remains the highest score in a super over.

4. USA vs Pakistan | 2024 | T20 World Cup

Pakistan faced the USA in the group stage of the T20 World Cup 2024. In the match, the USA men’s national cricket team delivered a stunning blow to heavyweight Pakistan in Texas. The Men in Green, after coming to bat, scored 159 runs in their 20-over innings as they recovered from 26-3.

The USA came out to chase and were cruising at one stage as they needed only 56 runs from seven overs with nine wickets in hand. Pakistan remained alive somehow to make it to the super over. The Men in Green struggled in the super over while giving away 18 runs. During the chase, Pakistan failed to score 19 runs, only adding 13. It remains the biggest upset in the T20 World Cup.

3. Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel | 2014 | CPL

Guyana Amazon Warriors played Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel in the 2014 Caribbean Premier League (CPL). This match had a low-scoring total for both teams. Guyana Amazon Warriors, winning the toss, elected to field first, and they bowled well to restrict the Trinidad franchise to just 118 runs. Coming out to chase, the Warriors also struggled in the match, and the game was tied.

Sunil Narine came to bowl for the Warriors and did the impossible as he bowled a maiden super over for the first time in cricket history. Nicholas Pooran, one of the best T20 batters, failed to score a run off any Sunil Narine delivery and eventually lost his wicket in the 5th ball. This was the only time that any bowler has bowled a maiden super over.

2. Netherlands vs Nepal | 2025 | T20I

The Netherlands and Nepal squared off in a T20I Tri-Series in Scotland. The match took place in Glasgow. The Dutch, after being invited to bat first, scored 152/7, and Nepal nearly chased down the total but were just one run shy of a victory. The match ended up in a tie and went to a super over.

The winner was selected after three super overs in the game. This was the first time three super overs were used in cricket. In the first two super overs, the score was 19 and 17, respectively, for both teams. Eventually, the third super over saw the Dutch taking an upper hand and bowled out Nepal for 0 runs. Later, Michael Levitt struck a first-ball six to win the match. This remains as one of the best super over in cricket history.

1. England vs New Zealand | 2019 | ICC World Cup final

England played New Zealand in the ICC ODI World Cup final six years ago. The Three Lions had the best chance of winning the World Cup at their home, and this dream was turned into reality as they defeated the Kiwis at Lord's. The Black Caps, while batting first, posted a decent total of 241/8. England was struggling at one point and lost 4 for 86 runs. Ben Stokes, who was one of the best all-rounders in the world at the time, then came to rescue his team.

Ben Stokes, along with Jos Buttler, stitched a partnership of 110 runs. A controversy occurred when Ben Stokes dived and the ball hit him before going to the boundary, and it stood as it was unintentional. The match went to a draw, and a super over was used for the first time in a World Cup final. The super over turned out to be a tie, and England won on boundary count. It was a heartbreak for Martin Guptill, who was run out on the final ball when two runs were needed. This remains the best super over in cricket history, and after this incident, the boundary count was removed from the super over format. With a tie, there will be another super over till one team gets the result.