5 of the top scores in the IPL

Brendon McCullum – 158* (73)

The day the IPL was launched in 2008, was embossed with one of the most spectacular innings in a T20 game that would have set the bar for many more to follow. Nobody could have asked for anything better than what Brendon McCullum had displayed. He destroyed the home side with ease as he raced to 158 off just 73 balls; it being the highest score ever in a T20. RCB was left hapless at the hands of an aggressive, full of intent – McCullum who charged away to glory and Bangalore lost the game by a humiliating 140 runs.

2. Murali Vijay – 127 (56)

Murali Vijay’s aggressive and intrepid 127 off just 56 balls for the Chennai Super Kings against the Rajasthan Royals in IPL-3, along with contributions from Matthew Hayden and Albie Morkel, resulted in CSK posing the highest total in an IPL game ever – 246. The Royals were on course to chase the massive total down with Naman Ojha and Shane Watson blitzering away, but fell short by 24 runs. The game was not only remembered for Vijay’s century but also for Rajasthan Royals becoming the only team in the IPL-3 to have scored 200 odd chasing.

3. Paul Valthaty – 120* (63)

Paul Valthaty’s unbeaten century against defending Champions – CSK was one of the stepping stones to creating a name for himself on the big stage amongst the other famed cricketers. His century comprised of 19 fours and 2 sixes. His mighty effort helped Punjab secure a win against the mighty CSK which resulted in it being the best run-chase in the IPL against the defending champions, chasing down 189 and winning by 6 wickets.

4. Virender Sehwag – 119 (56)

After the Chargers had posted a daunting 175, the Delhi Daredevils began shakily having lost 3 wickets for 25. Sehwag’s ton assured they not only won, but win the match with an over to spare. This was Sehwag’s first century in the IPL and there was no better time that he could have gotten it with his side needing to win the remaining 4 out of 4 matches to stay alive in the competition. Sehwag’s innings of 119 consisted of 13 fours and 5 sixes and also happens to be the highest by any Captain in the IPL.

5. Andrew Symonds – 117* (53)

Andrew Symonds, known for his daunting power and contributions with bat, ball and in the field is an asset to any team. This particular century was against the Rajasthan Royals when the Chargers were in a spot of bother after Gilchrist, Laxman and Afridi fell early. Symonds was unbeaten on 117 off only 53 balls, which included 11 fours and 7 sixes. As a result of Symonds’ mighty effort, the Chargers ended at 214-5. However, what was considered a match-winning total was proved wrong by Rajasthan Royals when they chased it down and won the game eventually by 3 wickets. But Symonds’ ton remains as the fifth highest score to be scored in the IPL.