At a glance
- Gayle’s 175* remains the highest ever individual score in T20 cricket
- McCullum and Rahul headline the closest challengers
- Modern power hitting still falls short of a record-breaking night
The Indian Premier League has thrilled audiences since its explosive debut in 2008, yet one innings continues to define the limits of T20 batting. Despite the evolution of the format and increasingly fearless strokeplay, the record books remain firmly under the command of a familiar name.
The Night That Changed T20 Cricket Forever
It began with a statement performance from Brendon McCullum, who set the tone for the league on its opening night. Representing Kolkata Knight Riders against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he blasted an unbeaten 158* off 73 balls, lifting his side to 222 for 3 and instantly capturing global attention.
That innings stood as the benchmark for five years. Then came a performance that did not just raise the bar, it redefined it.
Chris Gayle, who also has the most centuries in T20 cricket, delivered a breathtaking 175* off 66 balls for Royal Challengers at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium against Pune Warriors India. His assault featured 13 fours and 17 sixes at a strike rate above 265, powering his team to 263 for 5. View the full scorecard of the match here.
Highest Ever Individual Score in T20 Cricket Still Stands Tall
Gayle’s innings remains the highest ever individual score in T20 cricket, and it was built at astonishing pace. He reached his half-century in just 17 balls and brought up his century in only 30 balls, still the fastest hundred in IPL history.
Even in an era where batters routinely push scoring boundaries, that record has remained untouched, a testament to the sheer dominance of that innings.
Highest Individual Scores in IPL History
| No. | Batter | Score | Team | Opposition | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chris Gayle | 175* | RCB | PWI | 2013 |
| 2 | Brendon McCullum | 158* | KKR | RCB | 2008 |
| 3 | KL Rahul | 152* | DC | PBKS | 2026 |
| 4 | Abhishek Sharma | 141 | SRH | PBKS | 2025 |
| 5 | Quinton de Kock | 140* | LSG | KKR | 2022 |
| 6 | Abhishek Sharma | 135* | SRH | DC | 2026 |
| 7 | AB de Villiers | 133* | RCB | MI | 2015 |
| 8 | KL Rahul | 132* | KXIP | RCB | 2020 |
| 9 | AB de Villiers | 129* | RCB | GL | 2016 |
| 10 | Shubman Gill | 129 | GT | MI | 2023 |
New Contenders Emerge but the Summit Remains Distant
Recent seasons have produced serious contenders. KL Rahul came closest in 2026, striking an unbeaten 152* off 67 balls for Delhi Capitals against Punjab Kings. His innings, featuring nine sixes and 16 fours, is now the highest by an Indian in the league.
Abhishek Sharma has also signalled the next wave of attacking talent, highlighted by his 141 off 55 balls in 2025.
Yet for all the innovation and intent in modern T20 batting, Gayle’s extraordinary 175* continues to stand alone. It remains a defining moment in cricket history, one that still challenges every new generation to dream bigger.
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