IPL 2017: Top 5 performances from English players in IPL history

#1 Kevin Pietersen: 103* for Delhi Daredevils v Deccan Chargers in 2012

Brutality at its best

An unsurprising feature on the list, Kevin Pietersen’s ton for the Delhi Daredevils in 2012 was the first and so far only three-figure score by an Englishman in IPL – and it was one of the most breath-taking innings the tournament has seen.

Deccan had posed a tricky target of 158 at the Feroz Shah Kotla, and after Virender Sehwag, Mahela Jayawardene and Ross Taylor compiled just 26 between them, the Daredevils found themselves in significant bother.

But with Deccan winless so far that season, sealing the deal was never going to be simple, and Pietersen exploited their weaknesses. Early acceleration proved hard to come by, but after stabilising the Daredevils, he blasted JP Duminy for three successive sixes in the 13th over to start the charge.

Dealing only in singles and sixes from this point onwards, Pietersen saw off Dale Steyn, picking Dan Christian and Pratap Singh as his targets, before finishing off his century and Delhi’s five-wicket victory with a maximum in the final over.

After his stunning solo masterclass, even KP himself had some sympathy for Deccan, saying he felt “a little sorry” for extending their drought.