IPL: Highest powerplay team scores
The role of top-order batters has become increasingly important in the shortest format of the game as their exploits during the field restrictions often bode well for the team. A fiery start during the powerplay has often seen the team go on to gain a significant advantage in the match and on that note we list the highest powerplay scores in the history of IPL.
3) 90 | Chennai Super Kings against Mumbai Indians | 2015
Five-time champions Mumbai Indians were on the receiving end of an absolute punishment by CSK batters when the two sides met at the Wankhede in the league stage of the tournament in 2015. Rohit Sharma’s side batted first in the contest and made their way to 183 runs on the back of brisk half-centuries from the skipper and Kieron Pollard. However, the visitors made an absolute mockery of the target as Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum smashed 90 runs in the powerplay during their explosive 109-run stand for the first wicket.
2) 100 | Chennai Super Kings against Kings XI Punjab Kings | 2014
It was absolute carnage at the Wankhede when Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings clashed in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2014. Punjab, buoyed by a trailblazing century by Virender Sehwag, posted a mammoth total of 226 runs in their 20 overs. The Chennai-based outfit lost two quick wickets in their reply but that did not deter their chase as ace middle-order batter Suresh Raina played one of the best knocks in the competition’s history to take his side’s tally to 100 runs at the end of the powerplay.
1) 105 | Kolkata Knight Riders against Royal Challengers Bangalore | 2017
Virat Kohli’s RCB were blown to bits in their encounter against the visiting KKR side at the Chinnaswamy in 2017. The home side, who managed a par total of 158 runs in their 20 overs after Travis Head’s late riposte, were clueless against KKR’s opening pair of Sunil Narine and Chris Lynn. The KKR openers smashed a mind-boggling 105 runs in the first six overs, the highest powerplay score in the history of the tournament. Both batters compiled swashbuckling half-centuries to take their side home in an emphatic victory.
