The Nervous Nineties: Notable 99s in IPL History
Cricket is a game of fine margins, and nothing highlights this better than a batter getting dismissed on 99. Often referred to as the “nervous nineties,” this score can be both heartbreaking and memorable. It is an emotional experience, both to players and fans, when it comes to achieving a century by only one run in the Indian Premier League (IPL) where every run counts and the pressure is intense.
This has been an unfortunate historical milestone of IPL with several of the best batters being hit by it over the years. They had very brilliant innings, but were not able to reach the three-figure mark because of the pressure, bad luck, or some extraordinary bowling.
These knocks are, however, iconic due to their influence on the game and the quality that they portrayed. In this article, we take a look at five notable instances where batters were dismissed for 99 in IPL history, along with key match details and performances.
List of Batters Dismissed for 99 in IPL History
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate | Opposition | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 99 | 58 | 10 | 4 | 170.68 | Delhi Daredevils | 2013 |
| Prithvi Shaw | 99 | 55 | 12 | 3 | 180.00 | KKR | 2019 |
| Ishan Kishan | 99 | 58 | 2 | 9 | 170.68 | RCB | 2020 |
| Chris Gayle | 99 | 63 | 6 | 8 | 157.14 | Rajasthan Royals | 2020 |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | 99 | 57 | 6 | 6 | 173.68 | SRH | 2022 |
Detailed Look at Notable 99s in IPL
1. Virat Kohli – 99 vs Delhi Daredevils (2013)
Image Source : BCCI
Virat Kohli’s 99 against Delhi Daredevils in 2013 remains one of the most memorable near-centuries in IPL history. Playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kohli scored 99 off 58 balls, smashing 10 fours and 4 sixes at a strike rate of 170.68. The innings was at Delhi and displayed his ability and regularity under pressure. Despite missing out on a century by just one run, Kohli’s knock played a crucial role in setting up a competitive total.
2. Prithvi Shaw – 99 vs Kolkata Knight Riders (2019)
Image Source : IPLT20.com
In the 2019 season of the IPL, Prithvi Shaw hit 99 off the Kolkata Knight Riders against Delhi Capitals. With an impressive 180 strike rate, Shaw was to face only 55 balls and hit 12 fours and 3 sixes. Delhi was well-founded with his aggressive beginning. But he was agonizingly short of a well-deserved century. The innings underlined Shaw being a fearless batting man and capable of overpowering quality bowling attacks in crucial circumstances.
3. Ishan Kishan – 99 vs RCB (2020)
Image Source : BCCI
In IPL 2020, Ishan Kishan scored 99 off Royal Challengers Bangalore in a thrilling knock in the history of the tournament. Kishan, who was playing for Mumbai Indians, hit 99 out of 58 balls with 9 sixes. His firebrand performances nearly took off an unrealistic pursuit in Dubai. His heroic attempt saw him sacked one run short of a century. The knock is one of the most perfect pieces of hitting with pressure.
4. Chris Gayle – 99 vs Rajasthan Royals (2020)
Image Source : BCCI
Chris Gayle, known for his destructive batting, also found himself dismissed on 99 in IPL 2020 against Rajasthan Royals. Gayle, who was representing Kings XI Punjab, hit 6 fours and 8 sixes, scoring 99 out of 63 balls. The game was played at Abu Dhabi and Gayle overcame the bowling attackers with his trademark power-hitting. Missing out on a century was unfortunate, but his innings played a key role in his team’s strong performance.
5. Ruturaj Gaikwad – 99 vs SRH (2022)
Image Source : BCCI
The masterpiece of graceful batting was the 99 by Ruturaj Gaikwad versus Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2022. Gaikwad played on behalf of Chennai Super Kings and hit 99 out of 57 balls, 6 fours and 6 sixes. His batting at Pune was a mixture of time and violence. Although it was not a personal century, the performance of Gaikwad was one of the best hits of the season, and it was indicative of his increasing prowess in IPL cricket.
Conclusion
Getting dismissed for 99 is one of the most unfortunate yet memorable moments in cricket. These innings bring to light the prowess of the batters as well as the unpredictability of the game. Players such as Kohli, Gayle and Kishan performed outstandingly but were only short of individual achievements. Nevertheless, their workings usually impacted the result of the match greatly. These kinds of innings are a reminder that cricket is not only about records but also about brilliant moments and toughness. These near-centuries continue to be celebrated by fans as iconic IPL performances.
