What Is the Highest Individual Score in IPL History?

Few moments in cricket capture the imagination quite like a single, unstoppable innings. The Indian Premier League, known for its explosive batting and high-scoring contests, has witnessed countless breathtaking performances. Yet among these, one innings towers above the rest — a display of power, precision, and endurance that redefined what was thought possible in T20 cricket.

This record-breaking knock did not just rewrite numbers; it changed perceptions of how dominant a single player could be in the shortest format. It became the standard against which every future T20 performance would be judged. In this article, we will explore who achieved this remarkable feat, how the innings unfolded, the conditions that made it possible, and its lasting influence on the IPL and T20 cricket as a whole.

The Record Holder: Chris Gayle’s 175 Not Out

The highest individual score in IPL history belongs to the Jamaican powerhouse Chris Gayle. Playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) against Pune Warriors India on 23 April 2013, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Gayle delivered a performance that has since become legendary.

In just 66 balls, Gayle smashed an unbeaten 175 runs. His innings included 13 fours and an astonishing 17 sixes — a display of power that left bowlers and fans alike in disbelief. He reached his half-century in only 17 balls and his century in just 30, making it the fastest hundred in IPL history at the time.

By the time RCB’s innings ended, Gayle had not only secured the highest individual total in IPL history but also the highest in all recognised professional T20 matches worldwide. His strike rate of over 265 remains one of the most efficient large scores ever recorded. The sheer magnitude of this achievement continues to symbolise what makes T20 cricket so thrilling: the ability of one player to dominate an entire match.

How the Innings Unfolded — Key Moments

From the very first over, it was clear that Chris Gayle was in the mood for something extraordinary. Facing a relatively inexperienced Pune bowling attack, he began attacking almost immediately, dispatching deliveries over the infield with effortless power. His bat swing seemed perfectly timed; each boundary was met with increasing disbelief from the crowd.

After a blistering start, Gayle reached his fifty in just 17 balls. His confidence only grew as he continued to punish every bowler who dared to pitch short or stray in line. When he reached his hundred in 30 balls, the crowd erupted, realising they were witnessing history in the making.

Gayle’s partnership with Tillakaratne Dilshan provided the stability he needed to unleash his full range of strokes. Every over seemed to bring at least one boundary, and bowlers began to run out of ideas. Even defensive deliveries were met with thunderous straight drives or towering sixes.

As the innings progressed, the Pune Warriors’ morale visibly dropped. Fielders were reduced to spectators as balls cleared the boundary again and again. By the end of the innings, RCB had posted a staggering total of 263 for 5 — one of the highest team totals in IPL history. Gayle’s unbeaten 175 had single-handedly dismantled an entire bowling attack.

Contextual Factors That Made It Possible

While Chris Gayle’s skill and strength were the defining factors of his innings, the conditions at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium also played a role. The Bengaluru ground is known for its smaller boundaries and flat wicket, which naturally favours attacking batsmen. However, conditions alone cannot explain the magnitude of Gayle’s performance — many players have batted on that surface without achieving anything close.

The Pune Warriors bowling attack lacked the experience and discipline required to contain a batter in such form. Their deliveries often strayed in length, allowing Gayle to free his arms. Meanwhile, RCB’s batting order gave him the confidence and freedom to dominate the strike, with supportive partners rotating when needed.

Gayle’s own preparation and mindset were equally critical. As one of the most experienced T20 players in the world at the time, he understood how to build an innings that balanced aggression with composure. He paced himself perfectly, never losing focus despite the chaos he was creating around him.

Ultimately, while pitch and boundary size played supporting roles, it was Gayle’s power, timing, and tactical awareness that turned favourable conditions into record-breaking history.

Impact on T20 and IPL Batting Standards

Chris Gayle’s 175 not out did more than just break records — it transformed how teams and players approached T20 batting. Before that match, centuries in the IPL were celebrated as rare, match-winning achievements. After Gayle’s innings, teams began to believe that even higher scores were possible with the right combination of aggression and consistency.

Franchise strategies evolved as a result. The demand for explosive openers who could dominate powerplay overs increased. Teams began valuing strike rate and boundary percentage as key selection metrics. Batting line-ups were built around players capable of producing quick runs rather than just anchoring innings.

Bowlers, on the other hand, were forced to innovate. Gayle’s assault exposed the limitations of predictable line and length bowling in T20 cricket. In response, teams began developing more specialised skills — slower deliveries, yorkers, and deceptive variations designed specifically to counter power hitters.

In broader terms, Gayle’s innings symbolised a turning point in how modern T20 cricket was played and perceived. It demonstrated that the game’s shortest format could produce moments of individual brilliance comparable to any Test or ODI masterpiece.

Other Top Individual Scores in IPL History

Although no one has matched Gayle’s monumental 175, several other innings have come close in quality and impact. Brendon McCullum’s 158 not out for Kolkata Knight Riders in the very first IPL match in 2008 remains one of the tournament’s defining moments. His innings helped establish the IPL’s identity as an entertainment-driven, high-scoring spectacle.

AB de Villiers, one of Gayle’s RCB teammates, produced a masterful 133 not out against the Mumbai Indians in 2015, showcasing the perfect blend of power and innovation. Quinton de Kock’s 140 not out for Delhi Capitals and KL Rahul’s unbeaten 132 for Kings XI Punjab stand among the most controlled and stylish innings in IPL history.

Shane Watson’s 117 not out in the 2018 IPL final for Chennai Super Kings deserves special mention for its significance — a dominant performance on the biggest stage. Each of these innings displayed unique qualities, but none has matched the sheer scale, strike rate, or sustained aggression of Gayle’s 175.

What sets his record apart is not just the number but the manner in which it was achieved. Gayle maintained control from start to finish, rarely mistiming a stroke, and turned an ordinary league match into an unforgettable sporting event.

Conclusion: Why Gayle’s 175 Not Out Still Stands Supreme

Chris Gayle’s 175 not out remains one of cricket’s most astonishing records, representing the perfect combination of power, confidence, and execution. In that match, he did not merely play an innings — he produced a performance that transcended statistics and entered cricket folklore.

A decade later, no one has come close to surpassing it. Breaking this record would require a perfect blend of form, favourable conditions, and mental composure under pressure. Even as T20 cricket continues to evolve, Gayle’s masterpiece endures as a benchmark for batting greatness.

Each IPL season, fans and commentators revisit that innings, wondering if the next superstar might finally eclipse it. Yet Gayle’s 175 remains untouched, a symbol of what happens when talent, timing, and opportunity align perfectly.

In the high-speed world of T20 cricket, records fall quickly. But some achievements, like Chris Gayle’s 175 not out, stand the test of time — not just because of the numbers, but because they represent cricket at its most exhilarating and unforgettable.