Top 10 Highest Individual Scores in IPL History – The Greatest Batting Performances Ever

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a tournament where batters dream big and bowlers fear the worst. Since its launch in 2008, the IPL has redefined T20 batting with fearless stroke play, record breaking centuries, and innings that feel unreal even years later.

Over the seasons, a handful of players have produced extraordinary individual knocks that stand tall above the rest. These innings were not just about runs they were about dominance, timing, power, pressure, and match awareness.

In this article we relive the Top 10 Highest Individual Scores in IPL History, explaining how, why, and what made each innings special, just like a true cricket lover would.

What Is the Highest Individual Score in IPL History?

The record for the highest individual score in IPL history belongs to Chris Gayle, who smashed an unbelievable 175 off just 66 balls* while playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2013.

That innings remains untouched even today and is widely regarded as the most destructive batting performance in T20 cricket.

Top 10 Highest Individual Scores in IPL – Quick Table

Chris Gayle – 175* (RCB vs Pune Warriors, 2013)

No IPL list can begin without Chris Gayle’s 175*. This innings was pure domination.

Gayle walked in calm, exploded during the powerplay, and never slowed down. He hit 17 sixes and 13 fours, scoring at a strike rate that bowlers simply couldn’t handle. Every delivery looked like a boundary ball.

Why this innings is legendary:

• Highest individual score in IPL history

• Most sixes in a single IPL innings

• Match was effectively decided single-handedly

To this day, Gayle’s 175* is the gold standard of T20 batting.

Brendon McCullum – 158* (KKR vs RCB, 2008)

The innings that introduced the IPL to the world.

In the very first IPL match, Brendon McCullum played a fearless knock that changed cricket forever. His 158 off 73 balls* for Kolkata Knight Riders stunned fans and players alike.

Why this innings matters:

• Set the tone for IPL batting culture

• Made IPL an instant global spectacle

• Still one of the most iconic IPL knocks

Without McCullum’s innings, IPL history might have looked very different.

Abhishek Sharma – 141 (SRH vs PBKS, 2025)

A modern day masterpiece.

Abhishek Sharma rewrote records with his 141-run knock, becoming the highest individual score by an Indian batter in IPL history.

What stood out was not just power, but clean timing, placement, and confidence. He attacked from ball one and maintained momentum throughout the innings.

Why this innings stands out:

• Highest IPL score by an Indian

• Fearless modern T20 approach

• Proof of India’s growing batting depth

This innings announced Abhishek Sharma as a serious T20 force.

Quinton de Kock – 140* (LSG vs KKR, 2022)

Elegant, explosive, and effortless.

Quinton de Kock played one of the most complete IPL innings with his 140 for Lucknow Super Giants*.

He paced the innings beautifully—steady start, controlled middle overs, and a brutal finish.

Why fans loved it:

• Perfect balance of aggression and control

• Minimal risk, maximum output

• Anchored the innings without slowing it

A textbook example of smart T20 batting.

Also read: Top 10 Fastest Century in T20 International Cricket History

AB de Villiers – 133* (RCB vs MI, 2015)

When AB de Villiers gets going, cricket becomes art.

His 133 against Mumbai Indians* featured shots that defied field placements and bowling plans. Reverse sweeps, scoops, straight hits—everything worked.

Why this innings is special:

• 360-degree batting at its peak

• Performed under pressure

• Combined elegance with destruction

Classic AB de Villiers.

KL Rahul – 132* (PBKS vs RCB, 2020)

Calm, clinical, and ruthless.

KL Rahul played a captain’s knock, scoring 132 without taking unnecessary risks*.

Why it matters:

• Perfect example of controlled aggression

• Anchored the innings completely

• Showed leadership through batting

An innings that proves you don’t need chaos to score big.

AB de Villiers – 129* (RCB vs Gujarat Lions, 2016)

AB makes the list twice, and deservedly so.

This innings featured relentless boundary hitting and effortless acceleration. Once set, de Villiers turned the match into a one-sided affair.

Key highlight:

• Incredible strike rotation

• Brutal finishing overs

• Fans left in disbelief

Chris Gayle – 128* (RCB vs Delhi, 2012)

Before 175*, there was 128*.

Gayle’s second appearance on the list shows his dominance during his RCB years. Bowlers tried everything—nothing worked.

Why this innings is remembered:

• Massive six-hitting

• Fear factor for bowlers

• Consistent dominance season after season

Rishabh Pant – 128 (DC vs SRH, 2018)

A young Rishabh Pant announced himself to the world.

Pant’s 128 was fearless, raw, and explosive. He attacked international-quality bowlers without hesitation.

Why this innings was important:

• Showed India’s next-gen confidence

• Changed perceptions about young batters

• Crowd-favourite performance

Shubman Gill – 129 (GT vs MI, 2023)

Class meets consistency.

Shubman Gill produced a technically sound yet aggressive innings for Gujarat Titans.

Why Gill’s knock stands out:

• Elegant stroke play

• Strong temperament

• Match-winning under pressure

Gill proved that classical batting still thrives in T20 cricket.

Why These Innings Matter in IPL History

These top individual scores are not just numbers. They represent:

• Mental strength

• Fearless decision-making

• Understanding of T20 rhythm

• Ability to dominate top-level bowlers

They inspire young cricketers and define what IPL batting is all about.

Final Thoughts

The Top 10 Highest Individual Scores in IPL History reflect the evolution of T20 cricket—from brute force to smart aggression. Each innings tells a story of confidence, courage, and cricketing brilliance.

FAQs:

Q1. Who has the highest individual score in IPL history?

Chris Gayle holds the record for the highest individual score in IPL history with a sensational unbeaten 175 while playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Q2. What is the highest individual score by an Indian player in IPL?

The highest individual score by an Indian batter in IPL history was scored by Abhishek Sharma, who played a historic innings for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Q3. Who scored the first big century in IPL history?

The first major century in IPL history was scored by Brendon McCullum in the opening match of IPL 2008 while playing for Kolkata Knight Riders.

Q4. Which team has the most players in the top 10 highest IPL scores list?

Royal Challengers Bangalore feature the most players in the top 10 highest individual IPL scores, with multiple record-breaking innings over the years.

Q5. Is Chris Gayle’s highest IPL score still unbeaten?

Yes, Chris Gayle’s record for the highest individual score in IPL history remains unbroken and continues to be the benchmark for T20 batting excellence.

Q6. Have any wicketkeepers scored big hundreds in IPL?

Yes, wicketkeepers like Rishabh Pant and Quinton de Kock have played some of the highest-scoring innings in IPL history.

Q7. Which IPL season produced the most high individual scores?

Recent IPL seasons have seen a rise in high individual scores due to flatter pitches, impact player rules, and aggressive batting strategies.

Q8. Are high individual scores always match-winning in IPL?

Not always. While most big scores lead to victories, there have been instances where even massive individual performances came in losing causes.

Q9. Who is the youngest player to feature in the top 10 highest IPL scores list?

Several young batters have entered the top 10 list in recent seasons, highlighting the growing confidence and fearlessness of the new generation.

Q10. Will IPL records for highest individual scores be broken in the future?

With evolving batting techniques, shorter boundaries, and aggressive formats, it is very possible that current records may be challenged in upcoming IPL seasons.