As the much-anticipated eighteenth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to commence on March 22, 2025, cricket enthusiasts worldwide are gearing up for yet another exhilarating season. The grand opening match between defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore at Eden Gardens promises to set the tone for an action-packed tournament.
T20 cricket is often synonymous with blistering stroke play, but not every match witnesses a player reaching the elusive three-figure mark. However, on rare occasions, batters produce innings of sheer brilliance, single-handedly steering their teams to emphatic victories. Over the years, IPL has witnessed several such unforgettable knocks where a single batter dominated the opposition.
This article highlights the five highest individual scores in IPL history, a list that features one Indian cricketer alongside four overseas players.
Table of Contents
Top 5 Batters with Highest Individual Scores in IPL History
5. KL Rahul – 132* (Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, 2020)
During the IPL 2020 season in the UAE, Punjab Kings’ skipper KL Rahul produced a stunning innings of 132* off just 69 balls against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Rahul’s explosive knock, comprising 14 boundaries and 7 towering sixes, remains the highest individual score by an Indian in IPL history.
His phenomenal effort propelled Punjab to a commanding total of 206/3, which proved too much for Bangalore. The opposition crumbled under scoreboard pressure, managing only 109 runs in response, as Punjab secured a dominant 97-run triumph.
4. AB de Villiers – 133* (Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Mumbai Indians, 2015)
AB de Villiers, known for his unorthodox and 360-degree stroke play, delivered a breathtaking innings of 133* off just 59 balls against Mumbai Indians in 2015. The South African maestro forged an unforgettable 215-run partnership with Virat Kohli, who himself contributed 82 runs off 50 deliveries.
With 19 fours and 4 sixes to his name, de Villiers showcased his class, steering Royal Challengers Bangalore to a match-winning total. His electrifying knock ensured a comprehensive 39-run victory, further cementing his reputation as one of IPL’s finest entertainers.
3. Quinton de Kock – 140* (Lucknow Super Giants vs Kolkata Knight Riders, 2022)
Quinton de Kock delivered a masterclass in power-hitting during IPL 2022, smashing an unbeaten 140 off 70 deliveries against Kolkata Knight Riders. The left-handed wicketkeeper-batter stitched an unbroken 210-run stand with KL Rahul (68* off 51), ensuring Lucknow Super Giants posted a massive total without losing a single wicket.
De Kock’s innings, laced with 10 boundaries and an equal number of sixes, left Kolkata with an uphill task. Despite their best efforts, KKR fell short, highlighting the South African’s immense impact in the contest.
2. Brendon McCullum – 158* (Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, 2008)
Brendon McCullum set the benchmark for IPL brilliance right from its inception, delivering a stunning 158* off 73 balls in the tournament’s opening match in 2008. Representing Kolkata Knight Riders, McCullum unleashed an all-out assault on Royal Challengers Bangalore, smashing 10 fours and 13 maximums.
His innings not only helped KKR secure a massive 140-run victory but also laid the foundation for what would become the world’s most celebrated T20 league. McCullum’s unforgettable knock remains etched in IPL folklore as one of the most destructive performances in the competition’s history.
1. Chris Gayle – 175* (Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Pune Warriors India, 2013)
The ‘Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle holds the record for the highest individual score in IPL history. The West Indian powerhouse bludgeoned an unbeaten 175 off just 66 deliveries against Pune Warriors India in the 2013 season.
Gayle reached his hundred in a mere 30 balls, making it one of the fastest centuries ever recorded in professional cricket. His innings included an astonishing 13 boundaries and 17 sixes, propelling Bangalore to a mammoth 263/5. Pune, overwhelmed by Gayle’s onslaught, managed only 133/9, succumbing to a crushing 130-run defeat.
His record-breaking knock remains unmatched, serving as a testament to his unparalleled dominance in the shortest format.
Top 5 Batters with Highest Individual Scores in IPL History
| Player | Runs | Balls | Opposition | 6s/4s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Gayle | 175* | 66 | Pune Warriors | 17/13 | 265.15 |
| Brendon McCullum | 158* | 73 | RCB | 13/10 | 216.43 |
| Quinton de Kock | 140* | 70 | KKR | 10/10 | 200 |
| AB de Villiers | 133* | 59 | MI | 4/19 | 225.42 |
| KL Rahul | 132* | 69 | RCB | 7/14 | 191.3 |
As IPL 2025 approaches, fans will be eager to witness new records being scripted. Will another batter dethrone Gayle’s epic 175*? Only time will tell.
Read More: IPL 2025: Chetan Sakariya Replaces Injured Umran Malik at KKR
FAQs
Who holds the record for the highest individual score in IPL history?
Chris Gayle holds the record with an unbeaten 175 off 66 balls for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors in IPL 2013.
Which Indian player has the highest individual score in IPL?
KL Rahul’s 132* off 69 balls against Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2020 is the highest score by an Indian batter.
Which IPL season saw the first-ever 150+ score by a batter?
The inaugural IPL season in 2008 witnessed Brendon McCullum’s explosive 158* off 73 balls for Kolkata Knight Riders against RCB.
Who is the only player in the top five highest scores to remain unbeaten in his innings?
All five players—Chris Gayle, Brendon McCullum, Quinton de Kock, AB de Villiers, and KL Rahul—remained not out in their record-breaking knocks.
Which IPL match had the highest-ever opening partnership featuring a player from this list?
Quinton de Kock and KL Rahul stitched a record 210-run opening stand for Lucknow Super Giants against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2022.
