The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most popular cricket tournaments in the world. Since its inception in 2008, the IPL has witnessed some of the most extraordinary performances by the players. One of the most important aspects of any cricket match is the individual player scores. In this article, we will be discussing the top 6 highest individual player scores in the IPL tournament.
Also Read – Top 7 Expected Purple Cap Holders in IPL 2023
1. Chris Gayle – 175* (Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Pune Warriors India, 2013)
One of the most remarkable individual performances in IPL history is Chris Gayle’s unbeaten 175* against Pune Warriors India in 2013. This inning came in just 66 deliveries and included 17 sixes and 13 fours. It remains the highest individual score in IPL history and is considered one of the greatest T20 innings of all time.
Gayle’s innings were nothing short of breathtaking, as he dominated the Pune bowlers from the outset. He raced to his century in just 30 deliveries, which at the time was the fastest T20 century ever scored. Gayle’s brutal hitting continued even after he reached his century, as he smashed the Pune bowlers to all parts of the ground.
Gayle’s innings helped Royal Challengers Bangalore post a mammoth total of 263/5, which remains the highest team total in IPL history. Pune Warriors India were never really in the game, as they were bowled out for just 133 in response.
Gayle’s innings was a testament to his incredible talent and his ability to single-handedly take a game away from the opposition. It was an innings that will be remembered by cricket fans for years to come and solidified Gayle’s status as one of the greatest T20 batsmen of all time.
2. Brendon McCullum – 158* (Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, 2008)
Brendon McCullum’s unbeaten 158* for Kolkata Knight Riders against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the inaugural season of the IPL in 2008 was a landmark innings in the tournament’s history. It remains the second-highest individual score in IPL history, just behind Chris Gayle’s 175*.
McCullum’s innings was a display of pure aggression and power hitting, as he blazed his way to his century in just 73 deliveries. His innings included 13 sixes and 10 fours and it helped Kolkata Knight Riders post a total of 222/3, which was then the highest team total in IPL history.
What made McCullum’s innings even more special was the fact that it came in the opening match of the tournament and set the tone for what was to come in the subsequent seasons. The IPL had just begun and no one had quite seen an innings like McCullum’s before in T20 cricket.
McCullum’s innings helped Kolkata Knight Riders win the match by a massive margin of 140 runs, which was the largest victory margin in IPL history at the time. The innings also earned McCullum the Man of the Match award and set the bar for what was expected of batsmen in the IPL.
Overall, Brendon McCullum’s unbeaten 158* in the inaugural IPL was a defining moment in the tournament’s history and helped establish the IPL as the premier T20 competition in the world.
Also read: Bazball Theory- Is England’s New Approach Under Brendon McCullum the Way Forward in Test Cricket
3. Quinton de Kock 140* (Lucknow Super Giants vs Kolkata Knight Riders, 2022)
Quinton de Kock’s unbeaten 140* for Lucknow Super Giants against Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2022 season of the IPL was a sensational inning that ranks among the highest individual scores in IPL history. It is currently the third-highest individual score in the tournament’s history.
De Kock’s innings were a masterclass in power hitting, as he smashed 10 sixes and 10 fours in his 70-ball knock. He took the Kolkata Knight Riders bowlers to the cleaners and ensured that Lucknow Super Giants posted a mammoth total of 210 without any loss. During his innings, his batting partner KL Rahul also scored a stunning 68(51) not out.
What made de Kock’s innings even more remarkable was the fact that he came in to bat in the first over of the innings and batted through the entire 20 overs. His innings were a testament to his stamina and ability to maintain his focus and concentration over a long period.
Despite de Kock’s heroics, Kolkata Knight Riders put up a good fight in their chase, but ultimately fell short by 2 runs. De Kock was deservedly awarded the Man of the Match award for his outstanding innings.
Overall, Quinton de Kock’s unbeaten 140* against Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2022 IPL season was a brilliant inning that showcased his immense talent and ability as a T20 batsman. It is sure to be remembered by cricket fans for years to come.
4. AB de Villiers 133* (Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Mumbai Indians , 2015)
In a high-scoring encounter between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, AB de Villiers played a match-winning knock of unbeaten 133 runs off just 59 balls, which included 19 boundaries and four sixes. He came in at one down and took the attack to the MI bowlers from the very first ball. His brilliant innings were well supported by skipper Virat Kohli, who scored a well-made 82 off 50 balls.
De Villiers and Kohli put on a record partnership of 215 runs for the second wicket, which took RCB to a massive total of 235/1 in 20 overs. MI bowlers looked clueless against the RCB batting onslaught, and none of them were able to make any impact. It was a complete domination by RCB, as they scored at a rate of more than 11 runs per over.
In response, MI got off to a flying start, with their openers scoring quickly in the powerplay overs. However, they lost wickets at regular intervals and were eventually bowled out for 196/7 in 20 overs. RCB’s bowlers, led by Yuzvendra Chahal, picked up wickets at crucial junctures and never let the MI batsmen settle.
In the end, RCB won the match by 39 runs and secured their first win of the tournament. AB de Villiers was declared the player of the match for his outstanding innings, which will be remembered for a long time to come. Overall, it was a complete team effort by RCB, who outplayed MI in all departments of the game.
5. KL Rahul 132* (Kings XI Punjab vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, 2020)
KL Rahul’s unbeaten 132 in IPL 2020 against Royal Challengers Bangalore was a memorable innings that showcased his exceptional batting skills. As the captain of Kings XI Punjab, Rahul led from the front, smashing 14 boundaries and seven sixes enroute to his century. His knock helped KXIP post an imposing total of 206 for 3, which proved to be too much for RCB to chase down.
Rahul’s innings was marked by his ability to find the gaps and rotate the strike while also punishing the loose deliveries. He batted with great maturity and displayed excellent shot selection throughout his innings, frustrating the RCB bowlers. The right-hander reached his century in just 62 balls, and his partnership with Mayank Agarwal set the foundation for KXIP’s big total.
KXIP’s bowlers then put up an impressive display, restricting RCB to just 109 all out, clinching a resounding 97-run victory. Rahul’s unbeaten 132 not only earned him the man of the match award but also made him the highest run-scorer in the tournament that year. His impressive captaincy and exceptional batting skills were crucial in KXIP’s campaign that year, as they narrowly missed out on a playoff spot.
6. AB de Villiers 129* (Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Gujrat Lions, 2016)
AB de Villiers’ third and final IPL century came as part of yet another spectacular partnership with Virat Kohli.
In green jerseys, the pair put on a 231-run partnership as RCB posted 248/3 in 20 overs, thanks to centuries from both.
Kohli was the second fiddle in the partnership for the longest time, as AB de Villiers put on a show for the fans at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in IPL 2016.
ABD smashed eight sixes and five fours to completely destroy the Gujarat Lions bowlers. He reached his half-century in 25 deliveries and his century in 43.
Kohli came on late and raced to his own century off 53 deliveries, thanks to some delectable death-over hitting.In return, Gujarat were bowled out for 104, leading to a resounding 144-run win for the RCB.
Also read – Top 7 IPL Matches of All Time You Need Watch the Highlight Of
In the T20 format, if a player scores a century for the team, it is usually quite easy to win the match as well. The same holds true for global T20 tournaments such as the IPL. Though it is uncommon to see a player hit a century in the 20-over format, some cricketers have had big innings on their day. There have been some breathtaking and destructive innings played by top-tier cricketers over the years, beginning with the first night.
