The Indian Premier League has always been a hotbed of explosive batting. There have been some epic knocks we witnessed over the years which turned games on their heads, set new standards and became folklore in cricket. When we hear about the history of highest score batsman in ipl, Here there buds few instinctive innings that immediately come to one’s mind – knocks that showcased power, timing and a fearless intent.
From the inaugural session of IPL till the current one, these innings have defined the tournament as ever-growing and most entertaining T20 festival on planet.
Who Holds the Record for the Highest Score in IPL History?
Chris Gayle holds the record for highest score in IPL history as he hit a marauding 175* back in 2013. This knock is still the joint-highest individual score in IPL history and among one of the greatest T20 innings ever played.
IPL History Highest Individual Scores by Batsmen
| No. | Batter | Score | Team | Opposition | Edition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chris Gayle | 175* | RCB | PWI | 2013 |
| 2 | Brendon McCullum | 158* | KKR | RCB | 2008 |
| 3 | Abhishek Sharma | 141 | SRH | PBKS | 2025 |
| 4 | Quinton de Kock | 140* | LSG | KKR | 2022 |
| 5 | AB de Villiers | 133* | RCB | MI | 2015 |
| 6 | KL Rahul | 132* | KXIP | RCB | 2020 |
| 7 | AB de Villiers | 129* | RCB | GL | 2016 |
| 8 | Shubman Gill | 129 | GT | MI | 2023 |
| 9 | Chris Gayle | 128* | RCB | DD | 2012 |
| 10 | Rishabh Pant | 128* | DD | SRH | 2018 |
Chris Gayle – The Ultimate IPL Run Machine
Chris Gayle’s 175* for Royal Challengers Bangalore over Pune Warriors India in 2013 is the benchmark of the IPL history highest score batsman record. He thrashed bowlers around the ground as at a strike-rate that then seemed impossibly high.
Even though a decade has passed, no one has even made a run at the record since.
Memorable High-Scoring IPL Knocks
Brendon McCullum (158*, 2008)
McCullum’s blazing knock in the very first IPL 2008 match was a harbinger of what the league would become. It was the one that did IPL cricket in awe-inspiring it simultaneously to the subcontinent and the globe.
AB de Villiers (133* & 129*)
Mr. 360 redefined batting versatility. Read: One of the most feared batters in IPL history, his range of scoring all around the ground.
Abhishek Sharma (141, 2025)
One of the most recent additions to this list, Abhishek Sharma’s 141 for SRH in 2025 was a testament of how the new batch is shouldering the mantle of high-impact IPL batting legacy.
Evolution of High Scores in IPL History
The occurrence of large scores has become more frequent over time because:
- Batting-friendly pitches
- Shorter boundaries
- Impact Player rule
- Advanced fitness and power-hitting skills
What was unthinkable is no longer inconceivable – scores above 130 – but Chris Gayle’s 175* remains out of reach.
Why These Innings Matter in IPL History
They are performances and not just about runs. They:
- Changed match outcomes single-handedly
- Enhanced the allure of IPL
- Inspired young cricketers worldwide
- The new standards for T20 batting
All the batters included in here are certainly a permanent addition to the IPL folklore.
Final Thoughts
The IPL history highest score batsman list is a tribute to daring cricket and individual excellence. From Gayle’s reign to Abhishek Sharma’s here-and-now, these are the innings that evoke how IPL has been transformed into an opus of a batters’ paradise.
With the game getting more and more unpredictable, time will tell if there’s anyone who can finally surpass the iconic 175* – but for now Chris Gayle reigns supreme as the Greatest IPL batsman of all time.
