As we approach season 15 of the Indian Premier League, a go-through at what this competition has produced throughout the years. Many young talents have used the golden opportunity this tournament provided, and have performed remarkably well to concrete their mark on the cricketing world.
Over the years, many batters have produced a worthwhile performance in the most decorated T20 league in the world, and have earned enormous prosperity and fame through the same.
With IPL season 15, or more commonly Tata IPL 2022 set to start on 26th March, let’s have a look at the best batting figures overall in the 14 seasons of the Indian Premier League which started in 2008 after India won the first-ever T20 World Cup 2007.
Best Batting Figures In IPL History
#5. AB de Villiers (129* vs Gujarat Lions, 2016)
A forgetful day for Brendon McCullum’s Gujarat Lions, Royal Challengers Bangalore’s AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli smashed the Lions’ bowlers all around the park, adding 229 runs in just 97 balls for the 3rd wicket, and Virat Kohli was dismissed on the last delivery of the RCB innings. AB de Villiers was the top scorer with an unbeaten 129 runs off 52 balls, smacking 10 fours and 12 sixes, and ranks on the 5th spot in this list of top 5 best batting figures in the IPL.
#4. KL Rahul (132* vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, 2020)
Former Punjab Kings’ captain KL Rahul produced a performance against Royal Challengers Bangalore which would have made them regret releasing the player. Rahul smacked 132* runs off just 69 balls, smacking 14 fours and 7 sixes with a strike rate of 191.30, which places him 4th on this list of best batting figures in IPL. . Punjab Kings, who were then known as Kings XI Punjab, were powered to 206/3 in 20 overs. RCB were then bowled out for 109 in 17 overs as Punjab won the match by 97 runs.
#3. AB de Villiers (133* vs Mumbai Indians, 2015)
Such is AB de Villiers legendary, that his name appearing for the second time in this list of best batting figures is a surprise for no one. The former South African great played an entertaining inning against Mumbai Indians in 2015, where he scored an unbeaten 133 runs off just 59 balls with 19 fours and 4 sixes. He was ably assisted by RCB skipper Virat Kohli, who also went not out for a score of 82 runs in 50 balls, as RCB posted a total of 235/1 and won the match by 39 runs against the 5-time IPL champions.
#2. Brendon McCullum (158* vs Royal Challengers Bangalore 2008)
Everyone who witnessed the IPL season 1, surely remember this match. New Zealand keeper-batter, in the opening game of the first-ever edition of the IPL, smacked 158* runs off just 73 balls. Brendon McCullum’s this inning is still argued by most that this was the point that started the rise in fame for the IPL. McCullum smacked 10 fours and 13 sixes and entertained the audience along with giving them a glimpse of what this exciting format beholds. KKR posted 222/3 in 20 overs and then restricted RCB to 82, winning the match by 140 runs. Even though this was in the first match of the first-ever season, McCullum remains on the second spot on this list of top 5 best batting figures in IPL.
#1. Chris Gayle (175* vs Pune Warriors India, 2013)
The West Indian T20 legend Chris Gayle stands atop this list of best batting figures in IPL with his thunderous knock of 175* runs off just 66 balls against Pune Warriors India in 2013. Gayle smacked huge sixes which touched the ceilings of Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The West Indian giant smashed a total of 13 fours and 17 sixes in his knock. RCB posted 263/5 in 20 overs and won the match by 130 runs after limiting PWI to 133/9
