Going big – Five highest totals in history of IPL
Indian Premier League (IPL) and massive totals go hand in hand. Ever since the tournament’s inception, there have been many instances where batting sides have erupted with a flurry of boundaries, resulting in the scoreboard reflecting a mammoth total.
Be it a batting-friendly pitch, inefficient bowling display or a batsman in scintillating form– any of the elements can lead to a team destroying the other with its batting exploits. Moreover, the form and potential of overseas batsmen also play a crucial role in a franchise destroying the bowling force of its opposition.
On that note, let’s look at the five highest totals in the history of the IPL:
5. Chennai Super Kings (240/5 against Kings XI Punjab)
MS Dhoni-led CSK has been the most consistent side in the tournament, in terms of progressing into the playoffs. In the second match of the inaugural edition of the IPL, the world witnessed the Men in Yellow establishing their dominance over the Punjab franchise. Australia stalwart Michael Hussey wreaked havoc on the KXIP bowlers as he raced to an unbeaten 116 off just 54 deliveries.
A quick-fire cameo of 14-ball 31 by Subramaniam Badrinath ensured that CSK posted a dominant total on the board. In response, James Hopes tried to hunt down the total by scoring 71 off 33 balls, along with Sangakkara’s half-century. However, KXIP could only reach 207/4.
4. Kolkata Knight Riders (245/6 against Kings XI Punjab)
The second total in the list is a recent occurrence. KXIP were at the receiving end yet again as Dinesh Karthik-led KKR tore apart their bowling force in Indore in 2018. Sunil Narine demolished KXIP by smashing 75 off 36 balls, followed by skipper Karthik gathering 50 off 23 deliveries. To finish things off, Andre Russell unfurled his destructive side and chipped in with a 31-run cameo to steer KKR to a massive 245-run total on the board.
In response, KXIP managed to cross the 200-run mark but it wasn’t enough to secure a victory. They kept losing wickets at regular intervals and their batting force eventually derailed with the scoreboard displaying 214/8.
3. Chennai Super Kings (246/5 against Rajasthan Royals)
The Chepauk crowd in 2010 witnessed a run-scoring spree. After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Murali Vijay propelled them to a flying start by smashing 127 off just 56 balls. He hammered 8 fours and 11 sixes in his innings to set the stadium ablaze. All-rounder Albie Morkel also added finishing touches by scoring a quick-fire 62 off just 34 deliveries as the world witnessed CSK raked up the third-highest total in the history of the league.
Rajasthan Royals retaliated with Naman Ojha (94) and Shane Watson (60) playing crucial knocks. However, it wasn’t enough to cross the finishing line as the Royals succumbed to 223/5, ending their hopes of scripting a record-breaking run-chase.
2. Royal Challengers Bangalore (248/3 against Gujarat Lions)
The Virat Kohli-led RCB may not have won the IPL even once but their batting arsenal needs no introduction. With skipper Kohli and AB de Villiers in form, any total for the Bangalore franchise would look feasible. The Gujarat Lions bowlers, during IPL 2016, were thrashed to all corners at the Chinnaswamy as RCB notched up a massive score of 248/3. Both Kohli and De Villiers scored centuries – 109 and 129* respectively.
In response, Lions shattered like a stack of cards and posted only 104 as RCB scripted an iconic 144-run triumph.
1. Royal Challengers Bangalore (263/5 against Pune Warriors)
The Chinnaswamy crowd witnessed a demolition as the West Indies stalwart Chris Gayle tore Pune Warriors India (PWI) in the 2013 edition of the IPL. After electing to bowl first, Pune’s bowlers had no idea about the consequences. Gayle registered the highest individual score in the history of the IPL and destroyed the opposition’s bowling unit by scoring an unbeaten 175 off just 66 deliveries.
The Caribbean giant smacked 13 fours and 17 sixes to leave the Pune franchise gasping for breath. AB de Villiers also added an 8-ball 31 as RCB posted 263/5 in their 20 overs. It was a cakewalk for RCB bowlers to defend such a massive total as they registered a massive 130-run triumph.
