When fans talk about the highest individual scores by openers in IPL history, one innings stands above everything else. Chris Gayle’s unbeaten 175 against Pune Warriors India in 2013, made off just 66 balls with 13 fours and 17 sixes at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The record has stood for more than a decade, and no opener has come within 17 runs of it since.
Openers dominate the top of the scoring charts because they face the most balls and bat through the powerplay, when only two fielders are allowed outside the circle. This article lists the ten highest individual scores by openers in IPL history, with full details of every innings, how the record has moved over the seasons, and what these numbers tell us about opening batting in the league.
Highest Individual Scores by Openers Overview
| Record | Detail |
|---|---|
| Highest score by an opener | 175 not out by Chris Gayle |
| Team and season | Royal Challengers Bengaluru, 2013 |
| Match | RCB vs Pune Warriors India, 23 April 2013 |
| Venue | M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| Balls, fours, sixes | 66 balls, 13 fours, 17 sixes |
| Second highest | 158 not out by Brendon McCullum, KKR vs RCB, 2008 |
| Highest by an Indian opener | 152 not out by KL Rahul, DC vs PBKS, 2026 |
Top 10 Highest Individual Scores by Openers
| Rank | Batter | Score | Balls | 4s | 6s | Team | Opponent | Season | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chris Gayle | 175* | 66 | 13 | 17 | RCB | Pune Warriors India | 2013 | M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| 2 | Brendon McCullum | 158* | 73 | 10 | 13 | KKR | RCB | 2008 | M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| 3 | KL Rahul | 152* | 67 | 16 | 9 | DC | PBKS | 2026 | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| 4 | Abhishek Sharma | 141 | 55 | 14 | 10 | SRH | PBKS | 2025 | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad |
| 5 | Quinton de Kock | 140* | 70 | 10 | 10 | LSG | KKR | 2022 | DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai |
| 6 | Abhishek Sharma | 135* | 68 | 10 | 10 | SRH | DC | 2026 | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad |
| 7 | KL Rahul | 132* | 69 | 14 | 7 | KXIP | RCB | 2020 | Dubai International Stadium |
| 8 | Shubman Gill | 129 | 60 | 7 | 10 | GT | MI | 2023 | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| 9 | Chris Gayle | 128* | 62 | 7 | 13 | RCB | Delhi Daredevils | 2012 | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| 10 | Murali Vijay | 127 | 56 | 8 | 11 | CSK | Rajasthan Royals | 2010 | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
Record History
The story of this record starts on the first ever day of the IPL. On 18 April 2008, Brendon McCullum opened for Kolkata Knight Riders against RCB in Bengaluru and smashed 158 not out off 73 balls, with 10 fours and 13 sixes. He set a mark so high that it stayed untouched for five seasons.
On 23 April 2013, Chris Gayle broke it in style. Opening for RCB against Pune Warriors India at the same ground in Bengaluru, he reached his hundred in 30 balls, the fastest century in IPL history, and finished on 175 not out. His 17 sixes in that innings remain the most by any batter in a single IPL innings. That record still stands today.
The list below the top two has kept changing. Murali Vijay’s 127 in the 2010 final held second place until Gayle’s 128 not out in 2012 pushed past it. Quinton de Kock’s 140 not out in 2022 jumped to third at the time, and Abhishek Sharma’s 141 in 2025 moved the Indian record forward. The 2026 season then rewrote the chart again, with KL Rahul’s 152 not out becoming the first 150 plus score by an Indian in IPL history, and Abhishek’s 135 not out giving him two entries in the top six.
| Year | Record holder | Score | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Brendon McCullum | 158* | KKR vs RCB, Bengaluru |
| 2013 | Chris Gayle | 175* | RCB vs Pune Warriors India, Bengaluru |
What This Record Tells Us
Opening the batting gives a player the full 20 overs to build an innings, and the powerplay field restrictions make the first six overs the best time to score quickly. That is why openers hold most of the top ten individual scores in IPL history. A middle order batter rarely gets enough balls to reach 130, while an opener who bats deep can.
Three batters appear twice in this top ten: Chris Gayle with 175 not out and 128 not out, KL Rahul with 152 not out and 132 not out, and Abhishek Sharma with 141 and 135 not out. Repeat entries show that the very best openers can produce these monster innings more than once.
The two highest scores came at the same ground. The M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, with its short boundaries and true pitch, hosted both McCullum’s 158 not out and Gayle’s 175 not out. It remains the happiest hunting ground for openers chasing history.
Only one innings on this list came in a final. Murali Vijay’s 127 for Chennai Super Kings against Rajasthan Royals in the 2010 final at Chennai powered CSK to their first IPL title. Big scores in finals are rare, which makes his knock special even though it sits at number ten here.
Finally, a huge score does not always win the match. KL Rahul’s 152 not out in 2026 came in a losing cause, as Punjab Kings chased down Delhi’s 265 with six wickets in hand. That chase is the highest successful run chase in IPL history. For more on the season’s batting charts, see the IPL 2026 batting stats and the list of most fours in a single IPL innings. Readers can also compare these knocks with the highest scores by No. 3 batters and the highest scores by No. 4 batters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the highest individual score by an opener in IPL?
Chris Gayle, with 175 not out off 66 balls for RCB against Pune Warriors India in 2013. It is also the highest individual score in IPL history by any batter at any position.
Which Indian opener has the highest score in IPL?
KL Rahul, with 152 not out off 67 balls for Delhi Capitals against Punjab Kings in 2026. He became the first Indian batter to score 150 or more in an IPL innings.
How many openers have scored 150 or more in an IPL innings?
Three. Chris Gayle (175 not out in 2013), Brendon McCullum (158 not out in 2008) and KL Rahul (152 not out in 2026).
Which openers appear twice in the top 10?
Three batters have two entries each: Chris Gayle (175 not out and 128 not out), KL Rahul (152 not out and 132 not out) and Abhishek Sharma (141 and 135 not out).
Was any of these big scores made in an IPL final?
Yes. Murali Vijay’s 127 for Chennai Super Kings against Rajasthan Royals in the 2010 final at Chennai. CSK won that match and lifted their first IPL trophy.
Did KL Rahul’s 152 not out win the match for Delhi Capitals?
No. Punjab Kings chased down the target of 265 with six wickets and seven balls to spare, which is the highest successful run chase in IPL history.
Statistics updated through: 15 October 2026
