The Indian Premier League (IPL) is that cricket league, where electrifying participants come every year to celebrate it with millions. IPL is a great event in which many cricketers from all corners of the globe have united. It forms a vivid platform for individuals to show what they can do. One of the most entertaining parts, however, is the unique ability that the participants can score enormous counts, sometimes delivering incredible performances that blow the audiences’ minds. Other great extremes of play have been recorded by numerous players over the years’ time in the IPL, some reaching astonishing individual benchmarks even against the backdrop of league history.
This article will collate all the records with respect to the highest individual score achieved in IPL history with an account of the great men who dominated the game and engraved their names into the record books.
- Chris Gayle – 175 (2013)*
The man, the legend: Christopher Gayle is also famous for holding the record of the highest individual score in the entire history of the Indian Premier League. The innings of 175 runs that he scored for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) against Pune Warriors India in 2013 remains completely unmatched to date. While scoring, this innings was completed in just 66 balls and included 13 fours and 17 sixes.
This also gigantic knock helped RCB post a massive 263/5, which is among the highest team scores in IPL history. Most see Gayle’s titanic knock as the most iconic innings in IPL history, proving his destructive style of batting. It is well-known to see why he is one of the greatest hitters in world cricket.
- Brendon McCullum – 158 (2008)*
Another glorious high point in the annals of IPL history is Brendon McCullum’s attacking 158 not out. While McCullum represented Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the inaugural match of the very first IPL season in 2008 against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), this excellent innings was recorded there.
As if smashed by a raging bull, 10 sixes and 13 fours in his unbeaten 158 off 73 balls, symbolized the establishment of the premier cricketing spectacle that is the IPL. The innings set an aggressive benchmark for the tournament. Until Gayle’s 175* in 2013, it was the highest score in the IPL.
- AB de Villiers – 129 (2015)*
AB de Villiers is quite famous for his most innovative shot-making and for turning the game on its head and has one of the highest individual IPL records. In 2015 for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) vs. Gujarat Lions, de Villiers smashed 129 not out from just 52 balls.
That was a complete masterclass in clean hitting because De Villiers scored 10 sixes and 12 fours with that score, showing how he dominates all formats of the game. De Villiers was untouchable in his innings for RCB, as well as the runs consolidated to score a beastly win. All this said De Villiers has entered the legends across the game by being just consistent in the IPL and delivering such breathtaking performances.
- David Warner – 126 (2017)
David Warner’s innings of 126 against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2017 remains among the highest individual scores in the history of the IPL. David Warner, an Australian opening batsman, has been among the most consistent performers in the IPL. It was off 59 balls that Warner scored his 126, sending the ball to destruction with 10 fours and 8 sixes.
The knock put Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) batting into the mode of the challenge with 209/3 runs, defending the target and winning the match by 48 runs. For his adaptability to various conditions and match-winning knocks over many years, Warner has been one of the most valuable players in the history of the IPL.
- Shane Watson – 117 (2018)
Shane Watson’s knock of 117 would remain an unforgettable innings in the history of IPL in 2018. Under Watson’s leadership, CSK defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad so that he could win them their third title.
His runs were scored in 57 balls with a flurry of 11 fours and 8 sixes, and his powerful innings carried CSK to 208/5. Watson’s incredible performance in the final was a game-changer, making him a hero in Chennai and further cementing his legacy in the IPL.
- KL Rahul-132 (2020)
KL Rahul has been one of the most consistent names in the IPL over the last few seasons, and his 132* against Rajasthan Royals in the 2020 season was a good example of stacking the big ones. For Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), Rahul’s knock was from 69 balls, including 14 fours and 7 sixes.
This spectacular inning is among the highest individual scores in IPL history and helped Punjab post a daunting total of 223/2. His uniqueness and caliber when chasing these targets have gained recognition and his IPL very fancy life.
- Sanju Samson-119 (2021)
Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson has been a key performer for them, with his 119 against Punjab Kings in the 2021 season being a highlight of his IPL journey. He scored his runs in 63 balls, smashing 12 fours and 7 sixes.
Rajasthan Royals put up a sizable total, thanks to a brilliant innings from Samson, but they did not win, as the match put Samson under a whole lot of pressure. Samson’s consistency and ability to perform under pressure certainly make him a very exciting prospect in the IPL.
- Virat Kohli- 122 (2016)*
The starting point of Virat Kohli making it to the elite class of batting performances was this score of 122* against the Gujarat Lions during the IPL match in 2016. Kohli was playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore when he made that innings of 63 balls featuring 12 fours and 8 sixes.
This brilliant innings saw RCB compiling one of the highest totals in IPL history, 248/3. Kohli’s ability to amass runs without breaking a sweat coupled with his affinity for match-winning innings has made him a big-name brand in IPL.
Conclusion
Such batting has been rocked by the IPL over the years, and these phenomenal individual scores bring testimony to the level of talent that adorns the league. From Chris Gayle’s 175* to AB de Villiers’ can-do attitude on the history of the IPL, several memorable innings have been narrated to build this tournament.
These are the big batsmen who continue to inspire future generations, while millions of fans continue to entertain around the globe. The IPL is on the road to becoming bigger and better, and there will be new records but the names here mentioned will stay in history with the league.
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