5 Players Who Have Scored 100+ Runs In Just Boundaries In A Single IPL Innings
The entire team has just 120 deliveries to face in a T20 inning. Hence, this format is the trickiest for a batsman to get a hundred. That said, scoring a century in this format has become commonplace now. In fact, the situation is such that batters have started scoring more than a century of runs with just boundaries in a single knock in the T20 version. In this article, we take a look at five players who have scored 100 + runs in just boundaries in a single IPL knock.
5) Rishabh Pant – Delhi Capitals
Against: SRH || Score: 128*|| Balls: 63|| 4’s: 15 || 6’s: 7 || Runs in 4’s & 6’s: 102 || Venue: Delhi || IPL 2018
Rishabh Pant was in his third IPL season in 2018. In 2017, he had agonizingly missed a century by just three runs. Hence, there was talk of him getting to his maiden three-figure mark.
All of it came together when Delhi lost a few early wickets, and Pant had to come to the crease within the powerplay. Despite the pressure around, the southpaw struck to his unorthodox game plan and ensured the SRH bowlers did not rest. He was particularly merciless against Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who conceded more than 50 runs that day. Although DC posted a decent target of 188, SRH chased it down convincingly with seven balls to spare.
4) Sanath Jayasuriya – Mumbai Indians
Against: CSK || Score: 114*|| Balls: 48|| 4’s: 9 || 6’s: 11 || Runs in 4’s & 6’s: 102 || Venue: Mumbai || IPL 2008
Sanath Jayasuriya joined the list of players who scored 100+ runs in just boundaries in the first season itself. Mumbai Indians had a horrible start to the tournament, and a turnaround was necessary.
In the 36th game of IPL 2008, MI was facing the flying CSK squad. MI started well by restricting the CSK boys to 156 in the first innings. Sanath began his innings in his trademark fashion, punishing the likes of Manpreet Gony and Albie Morkel in the powerplay. He did not spare his country mate Chamara Kapugegdra, who conceded 26 runs in five deliveries that day. MI chased the target down with almost six overs remaining in the contest.
3) Brendon McCullum – Kolkata Knight Riders
Against: RCB|| Score: 158*|| Balls: 73|| 4’s: 10 || 6’s: 13 || Runs in 4’s & 6’s: 118 || Venue: B’lore || IPL 2008
Now, who does not remember this famous knock that had begun all of this? Brendon McCullum‘s IPL opening night knock of 158* runs from 73 balls is one for the ages. Bazz became the first entrant to the list of players who scored 100+ runs in just boundaries.
Scoring more sixes than boundaries in a knock is almost a rare event. The Kiwi achieved it in the first encounter of IPL. All RCB bowlers conceded close to ten runs per over, and McCullum was the chief architect behind that record. Of course, KKR eventually won the game by a handsome margin.
2) AB de Villiers – Royal Challengers Bangalore
Against: GL|| Score: 129*|| Balls: 52|| 4’s: 10 || 6’s: 12 || Runs in 4’s & 6’s: 112 || Venue: B’lore || IPL 2016
Against: MI|| Score: 133*|| Balls: 59|| 4’s: 19 || 6’s: 4 || Runs in 4’s & 6’s: 100 || Venue: Mumbai || IPL 2015
The South African Superman achieved this feat on two occasions. A prolific boundary scorer in the league, it was against Mumbai that he achieved it for the first time. It was that day when the likes of Bumrah, Hardik and Bhajji were taken to the cleaners.
It did not take ABD too long to repeat the feat. In the immediate season itself, against the newcomers Gujarat Lions, AB scored 112 runs through boundaries. Virat Kohli also got a century in this encounter.
1) Chris Gayle – Royal Challengers Bangalore
Against: PWI || Score: 175*|| Balls: 66|| 4’s: 13 || 6’s: 17 || Runs in 4’s & 6’s: 154 || Venue: B’lore || IPL 2013
Against: Delhi || Score: 128*|| Balls: 62|| 4’s: 7 || 6’s: 13 || Runs in 4’s & 6’s: 106 || Venue: Delhi || IPL 2012
Against: PBKS || Score: 117|| Balls: 57|| 4’s: 7 || 6’s: 12 || Runs in 4’s & 6’s: 100 || Venue: B’lore || IPL 2015
Of course, it is the Universe Boss who leads this list. Between IPL 2011 and 2015, Gayle was in astonishing form and added flavour to IPL as a cricketing brand. He won the Orange Cap in 2011 and 2012 and became the first player to win it twice.
Unsurprisingly, the left-handed opener achieved this record in more than one instance. While, the first time, it was against Delhi Daredevils, Gayle repeated the feat with his memorable innings of 175* against Pune. This still remains the highest individual score in IPL. Then, Gayle scored 100 runs in boundaries against his current franchise to make it three times and top the list.
