As the 2026 IPL season approaches, starting March 28, former Team India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has blind-ranked the top five individual IPL innings of all time (via Star Sports Instagram handle). Leading the list is Brendon McCullum’s explosive 158* off 75 balls during the inaugural IPL match in 2008.
In this unforgettable opener for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the former New Zealand captain dismantled the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), earning the second spot in Pathan’s ranking. The list transitions from McCullum’s early century to a more recent performance by Abhishek Sharma against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) last year, where Pathan placed the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) opener’s impressive 141 off 55 balls at number five.
In pursuit of a daunting 246 for victory, Abhishek’s stunning century single-handedly led SRH to a breathtaking win.
The next commendable innings in a losing effort is Suresh Raina’s iconic 87 off just 25 balls, which secured the third spot on the list. During Qualifier 2 against PBKS, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) left-hander captivated the audience with his rapid innings before falling 13 runs short of a century. Despite CSK’s loss, Pathan acknowledged Raina’s performance as the third best.
Placed fourth by Pathan is another CSK legend’s performance in a victorious cause. Shane Watson’s electrifying 117* off 57 balls in the 2018 IPL final against SRH played a pivotal role in CSK’s successful chase of 179, securing their third title at the time.
RCB Legend’s Record-Breaking Innings Tops Irfan Pathan’s List
Claiming the top spot in Irfan Pathan’s blind ranking of the greatest IPL innings is Chris Gayle’s awe-inspiring 175* off 66 balls against the now-defunct Pune Warriors in 2013. The former RCB opener’s innings, characterized by 17 sixes and 13 fours, remains the highest-ever score in IPL history. Gayle reached his century in just 30 balls, setting an enduring IPL record. Additionally, he contributed with two wickets, leading RCB to a commanding 130-run victory.
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Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran
