Picture this: It’s a warm evening at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, and the crowd is on its feet, roaring like thunder. The scoreboard reads something that seems almost impossible – 175 runs scored by a single batsman in just 66 balls. This isn’t a dream; this is the magic of the Indian Premier League, where cricket transforms into pure entertainment and records are meant to be shattered.
You know what I love most about the IPL? It’s not just cricket; it’s where legends are born and where the impossible becomes routine. When we talk about the highest individual scores in IPL, we’re diving into moments that have left fans speechless, commentators scrambling for words, and opposition bowlers questioning their life choices.
The Complete List of 10 Highest Individual Scores in IPL
Here’s where cricket gets interesting – the top 10 list reads like a who’s who of T20 cricket royalty:
1. Chris Gayle – 175* (66 balls) vs Pune Warriors India, 2013
Team: Royal Challengers Bangalore
Strike Rate: 265.15
Boundaries: 13 fours, 17 sixes
Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
This innings redefined what was possible in T20 cricket. Gayle didn’t just break records; he obliterated them in just 102 minutes of pure destruction.
2. Brendon McCullum – 158* (73 balls) vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, 2008
Team: Kolkata Knight Riders
Strike Rate: 216.43
Boundaries: 10 fours, 13 sixes
Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
McCullum’s knock in the very first IPL match set the tone for what this tournament would become – pure entertainment cricket.
3. Abhishek Sharma – 141 (55 balls) vs Punjab Kings, 2025
Team: Sunrisers Hyderabad
Strike Rate: 256.36
Boundaries: 14 fours, 10 sixes
Venue: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
The newest entry to this elite list! Sharma’s explosive knock in April 2025 showcases the evolution of modern T20 batting.
4. Quinton de Kock – 140* (70 balls) vs Kolkata Knight Riders, 2022
Team: Lucknow Super Giants
Strike Rate: 200.00
Boundaries: 10 fours, 10 sixes
Venue: DY Patil Stadium
5. AB de Villiers – 133* (59 balls) vs Mumbai Indians, 2015
Team: Royal Challengers Bangalore
Strike Rate: 225.42
Boundaries: 19 fours, 4 sixes
Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
6. KL Rahul – 132* (69 balls) vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, 2020
Team: Kings XI Punjab
Strike Rate: 191.30
Boundaries: 14 fours, 7 sixes
Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium
7. AB de Villiers – 129* (52 balls) vs Gujarat Lions, 2016
Team: Royal Challengers Bangalore
Strike Rate: 248.07
Boundaries: 10 fours, 12 sixes
Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
8. Shubman Gill – 129 (60 balls) vs Mumbai Indians, 2023
Team: Gujarat Titans
Strike Rate: 215.00
Boundaries: 7 fours, 10 sixes
Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
9. Chris Gayle – 128* (62 balls) vs Delhi Daredevils, 2012
Team: Royal Challengers Bangalore
Strike Rate: 206.45
Boundaries: 7 fours, 13 sixes
Venue: Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
10. Rishabh Pant – 128* (63 balls) vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, 2018
Team: Delhi Daredevils
Strike Rate: 203.17
Boundaries: 15 fours, 7 sixes
Venue: Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
Records Within Records
Let’s dive deeper into some fascinating sub-records:
Fastest Centuries in IPL
- Chris Gayle: 30 balls (2013)
- Yusuf Pathan: 37 balls (2010)
- Adam Gilchrist: 42 balls (2009)
Most Sixes in Single Innings
- Chris Gayle: 17 sixes (175* vs Warriors, 2013)
- Brendon McCullum: 13 sixes (158* vs RCB, 2008)
- Chris Gayle: 13 sixes (128* vs Daredevils, 2012)
- AB de Villiers: 12 sixes (129* vs Gujarat Lions, 2016)
Highest Strike Rates (Minimum 50 balls faced)
- Chris Gayle – 265.15 (175* in 66 balls, 2013)
- Abhishek Sharma – 256.36 (141 in 55 balls, 2025)
- AB de Villiers – 248.07 (129* in 52 balls, 2016)
- AB de Villiers – 225.42 (133* in 59 balls, 2015)
- Brendon McCullum – 216.43 (158* in 73 balls, 2008)
Teams That Benefitted Most
Royal Challengers Bangalore clearly stands out with multiple entries in this list. It’s no coincidence – RCB has always been known for aggressive batting and entertainment cricket.
| Team | Number of High Scores | Highest Individual Score |
|---|---|---|
| RCB | 4 | 175* (Chris Gayle, 2013) |
| SRH | 1 | 141 (Abhishek Sharma, 2025) |
| KKR | 1 | 158* (Brendon McCullum, 2008) |
| LSG | 1 | 140* (Quinton de Kock, 2022) |
| KXIP/PBKS | 1 | 132* (KL Rahul, 2020) |
| GT | 1 | 129 (Shubman Gill, 2023) |
| DD/DC | 1 | 128* (Rishabh Pant, 2018) |
Conclusion: More Than Just Numbers
These aren’t just statistics in a record book; they’re moments that defined the IPL and T20 cricket as we know it. They represent the beautiful chaos of cricket, where on any given day, any player can produce something magical.
Chris Gayle’s 175* will forever stand as a testament to what’s possible when talent meets opportunity and fearlessness meets form. But it’s not just about Gayle – every innings on this list contributed to making the IPL the spectacle it is today.
The next time you watch an IPL match, remember that you might be witnessing history in the making. Because in this format, records aren’t just broken – they’re obliterated, rebuilt, and redefined.
What’s your favorite among these highest individual scores in IPL? Have you witnessed any of these live? Share your thoughts and let’s celebrate these incredible moments that make cricket the beautiful game we all love.
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