The Greatest Individual Innings in IPL History
The Indian Premier League has witnessed some of the most breathtaking batting displays in cricket history. Over 17 seasons, a select few innings have transcended the ordinary and entered the realm of legend. These are the top 10 highest individual scores ever recorded in the IPL.
Complete Ranking: Highest Individual Scores
| Rank | Player | Score | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR | Against | Venue | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [Chris Gayle](/players/chris-gayle) | 175* | 66 | 13 | 17 | 265.15 | PWI | Chinnaswamy, Bangalore | 2013 |
| 2 | [Brendon McCullum](/players/brendon-mccullum) | 158* | 73 | 10 | 13 | 216.43 | RCB | Chinnaswamy, Bangalore | 2008 |
| 3 | [AB de Villiers](/players/ab-de-villiers) | 133* | 59 | 19 | 4 | 225.42 | MI | Wankhede, Mumbai | 2015 |
| 4 | [KL Rahul](/players/kl-rahul) | 132* | 69 | 7 | 14 | 191.30 | RCB | Sharjah | 2020 |
| 5 | [Chris Gayle](/players/chris-gayle) | 128* | 62 | 7 | 13 | 206.45 | DD | Kotla, Delhi | 2012 |
| 6 | [Rishabh Pant](/players/rishabh-pant) | 128* | 63 | 15 | 7 | 203.17 | SRH | Kotla, Delhi | 2018 |
| 7 | [David Warner](/players/david-warner) | 126 | 59 | 10 | 8 | 213.55 | KKR | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 2017 |
| 8 | [Jos Buttler](/players/jos-buttler) | 124 | 64 | 11 | 8 | 193.75 | DC | Wankhede, Mumbai | 2022 |
| 9 | [Virender Sehwag](/players/virender-sehwag) | 122 | 58 | 12 | 8 | 210.34 | CSK | Holkar, Indore | 2014 |
| 10 | [Shane Watson](/players/shane-watson) | 117* | 57 | 11 | 8 | 205.26 | SRH | Chinnaswamy, Bangalore | 2016 |
Gayle's 175*: The Innings That Rewrote History
On April 23, 2013, Chris Gayle walked out at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium and produced the highest score in T20 cricket history. His 175 not out included 17 sixes — a number that remains unmatched in any single IPL innings. Gayle reached his century in just 30 balls and continued to accelerate, adding 75 more runs from 36 deliveries.
RCB posted 263/5 in that match, which remains the highest team total in IPL history. Pune Warriors India were bowled out for 133, losing by 130 runs.
McCullum's 158*: Where It All Began
The very first match of the very first IPL season produced one of its greatest innings. Brendon McCullum smashed an unbeaten 158 off 73 balls for KKR against RCB on April 18, 2008. It was the innings that announced the IPL to the world and set the tone for everything that followed.
Venue Analysis: Where Big Scores Happen
| Venue | Appearances in Top 10 | Average Score |
|---|---|---|
| Chinnaswamy, Bangalore | 3 | 156.7 |
| Wankhede, Mumbai | 2 | 128.5 |
| Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi | 2 | 128.0 |
| Others | 3 | 124.0 |
The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium dominates this list. Its combination of flat pitches, short boundaries, and Bangalore's altitude makes it the most batter-friendly ground in the IPL. Three of the top 10 highest scores were made here.
Key Patterns in Record Innings
Every innings on this list shares common traits. The batsman scored at a strike rate above 190. Every innings contained at least 4 sixes. Eight of the ten came from openers or number three batsmen, confirming that early access to the powerplay is essential for record-breaking knocks.
Only two players — Chris Gayle — appear more than once, underlining just how special his combination of power and consistency was at the peak of his IPL career.
FAQ
What is the highest individual score in IPL history?
Chris Gayle holds the record with 175 not out off 66 balls for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors India at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in IPL 2013.
Who scored the first century in IPL history?
Brendon McCullum scored 158 not out in the very first match of IPL 2008, playing for Kolkata Knight Riders against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
How many scores above 120 have been made in IPL history?
There have been 10 individual scores of 120 or above in IPL history across 17 seasons, making it an exceptionally rare feat in T20 cricket.
Which ground has seen the most high scores in IPL?
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore has hosted the most high individual scores, with three entries in the top 10 all-time list.
Has any Indian batsman scored 150+ in the IPL?
No Indian batsman has scored 150 or above in an IPL innings. The highest by an Indian is KL Rahul's 132 not out against RCB in IPL 2020.