IPL: Five highest team totals

Earlier, I had written an article looking at the five lowest team totals in IPL history. It was a shock to see the Royal Challengers Bangalore feature twice, with their 49 against the Kolkata Knight Riders being the lowest in IPL history. It is only fair, therefore, to restore Bangalore to their rightful position by looking at the five highest team totals in IPL history.

Indeed, Bangalore feature three times on this list, while the Chennai Super Kings feature twice as well. From 49 all out to 263/5, Bangalore never cease to entertain fans.

#5 Royal Challengers Bangalore - 235/1 vs Mumbai Indians

Contests between RCB and the Mumbai Indians are always entertaining, as both sides possess a plethora of talented batsmen. There was an incredible 431 runs scored between the two teams in this clash in 2015.

Bangalore won the toss and elected to bat, sending out openers Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli. Gayle was dismissed early on, in just the fourth over, with Bangalore on 20-1 after 3.1 overs. However, Kohli and number three AB de Villiers put on a huge 215 run partnership. It was a tough day to be a bowler, as these two incredible batsmen staged a batting masterclass.

de Villiers, in particular, was imperious, hitting a rapid century off just 47 balls. The South African star finished on 133* (59) at a strike rate of over 225. Kohli ended up on 82* (50) and these two batsmen between them hit 25 fours and 8 sixes. Jasprit Bumrah struggled with the ball, ending with figures of 4-0-52-0.

Mumbai put up a valiant effort as they reached 196/7 in their twenty overs. Lendl Simmons, who opened the batting, carried his bat with a slow 68* and was supported by 49 (24) from fellow West Indian Kieron Pollard. However, they still ended 39 runs short as Bangalore cruised to a decisive victory.

#4 Chennai Super Kings - 240/5 vs Kings XI Punjab

Michael Hussey hit a sublime 116

This thrilling encounter took place in the second match of IPL history. There was a total of 447 runs scored, as KXIP did not go down without a fight. Chennai won the toss and elected to bat first, but got off to a slow start.

Both openers, Parthiv Patel and Matthew Hayden, looked in good form but did not convert their starts. It took a Michael Hussey masterclass to inject some pace into the CSK innings. Hussey hit a brilliant unbeaten 116, which came off just 54 balls. He hit 8 fours and 9 sixes, as he tore apart a bowling attack that contained the likes of Brett Lee, Irfan Pathan and Piyush Chawla.

Hussey was supported by a destructive 32 (13) from Suresh Raina and an unbeaten cameo of 31 (14) from Subramaniam Badrinath. Australian James Hopes bore the brunt of most of the carnage, as he ended up with figures of 4-0-53-1 and Chawla was taken out of the attack after bowling just one over for 19 runs.

It was a good day to be a batsman, as Punjab actually threatened to chase down this huge target. They ended on 207/4, which was a valiant effort in the face of such a daunting score. Hopes led the charge with his 71 (33) opening the batting, while a quick fifty from Kumar Sangakkara increased their chances. It wasn't to be, though, as a relatively economical spell from Muttiah Muralitharan prevented them from getting over the line.

#3 Chennai Super Kings - 246/5 vs Rajasthan Royals

It was Murali Vijay who starred with the bat on this occasion

The Chennai Super Kings bettered their 240 two seasons later, in 2010, as they hit 246/5 against the Rajasthan Royals in Chennai. It proved to be another thrilling affair, as Rajasthan actually came back with 223/5 in their innings and ended an agonising 23 runs short of what would have been a record-breaking chase.

This time it was opener Murali Vijay who did the bulk of the damage, hitting 127 (56). His century came off just 46 balls and remains one of the fastest IPL hundreds of all time, in a knock that included 8 fours and a huge 11 sixes.

He batted pretty much the entirety of Chennai's overs, but was dismissed with two balls to go after holing out off Shane Watson. Albie Morkel accompanied Vijay and together they put on a strong 152 run partnership for the third wicket. Morkel ended with 62 from 34 deliveries as Chennai posted their highest ever total. Yusuf Pathan and Shaun Tait both conceded 44 runs from their four overs, while opening bowler Sumit Narwal ended with 2-0-41-0.

Michael Lumb and Naman Ojha got the Royals off to a solid start, but they lost momentum after Lumb was caught in the deep off Albie Morkel's bowling. It took a blistering 60 (25) from Shane Watson to reignite hope for the Royals, as Ojha kept going strong. Naman scored a superb 94 (55), but these two great innings were ultimately in vain as the Royals were unable to reach so vast a total.

#2 Royal Challengers Bangalore - 248/3 vs Gujarat Lions

It was the Kohli-de Villiers show once again as Bangalore posted 248/3

For the number two spot, we go back to Bangalore who posted an imperious 248/3 two years ago, in 2016, against the Gujarat Lions. Again, it was the Virat Kohli-AB de Villiers show that was responsible for this gigantic total.

Like last time, Chris Gayle failed early on, only managing a horrifically slow 6 (13) in what was a poor display. However, de Villiers then joined Kohli at the crease and they set about adding 229 for the second wicket partnership. This time both batsmen reached their hundreds, Kohli taking 53 balls while de Villiers completed his in just 43.

This pair was responsible for 15 fours and a whopping 20 sixes, and unorthodox spinner Shivil Kaushik was dismantled and sent for 50 runs in three overs. Kohli ended with 109 (55) and de Villiers was unbeaten with his 129 (52). de Villiers' stellar innings came at a strike rate of close to 250, showing just how devastating he was that day.

Gujarat never looked like chasing it down, as they found themselves at 47-5 inside eight overs. It was clear that Bangalore then saw it as an opportunity to have some fun, utilising nine bowlers, with de Villiers and keeper Lokesh Rahul being the only two not to turn their arm over.

Gujarat ended up folding for 104 in 19 overs. Chris Jordan was particularly lethal for Bangalore as he took 4-11 in his three overs. This led to a 144-run victory for RCB.

#1 Royal Challengers Bangalore - 263/5 vs Pune Warriors India

Is Chris Gayle's 175* the greatest T20 innings of all time?

This game went down in history thanks to Chris Gayle's record-breaking 175*. It is hard to think of a more destructive innings than this. The West Indian opener hit 13 fours and 17 sixes as he ended up with a strike rate of 265, raising his century off just thirty balls.

He targeted some bowlers in particular, notably hitting Finch for four sixes and one four in the five balls he faced from him. If you haven't seen his innings, I highly recommend you watch the highlights on the IPL website, for words cannot do justice to such a breathtaking display of power and skill. People often forget that AB de Villiers also contributed with a rapid 31 (8) in this innings, which was part of the reason why Bangalore were able to reach the grand total of 263.

The Pune Warriors India did not get close and ended up suffering a 130 run defeat. Steve Smith top-scored for them with 41 and there were cameos from Mitchell Marsh and Aaron Finch, but that was nowhere near enough.

In tribute to his phenomenal innings, Gayle got to bowl the final over, and he even managed to pick up two wickets whilst conceding just five runs. A fitting way for the game to end. It is hard to imagine that this total will ever be beaten, as Gayle's knock was a once-in-a-lifetime feat.