IPL Anniversary Special: Four of the most destructive centuries in 18 Years of the Indian Premier League. Chris Gayle’s 175 vs Pune Warriors is one of them.
Started in 2008, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has grown beyond imagination, breaking records, crossing borders, and bringing together talent from across the globe. From Tim David’s journey from Hong Kong to Australia to shining in India, to Afghanistan youngsters making headlines, the league has become a global stage for rising stars and established legends.
Since its electrifying inception in 2008, the IPL has redefined the landscape of T20 cricket. With its perfect blend of star power, high-stakes drama, and edge-of-the-seat thrillers, the IPL has become a global festival of cricketing brilliance. Among the countless unforgettable moments, it’s the jaw-dropping centuries, the ones that turn games on their heads and leave fans breathless — that truly stand out.
In 2025, it’s easy to take 250+ totals or 30-ball centuries for granted. But rewind to 2010, and things looked very different. The IPL, though flashy and fresh, hadn’t yet exploded the way it has now — with its insane player auctions, global reach, and next-gen talents from every corner of the cricketing world.
Back then, innings like Yusuf Pathan’s blitzkrieg or David Miller’s miracle weren’t just match-winning — they were era-defining. They showed us what was possible. These weren’t just knocks. They were statements.
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As the Indian Premier League (IPL) celebrates its 18th anniversary, let’s revisit four of the most destructive hundreds ever witnessed in IPL history, innings that didn’t just light up the scoreboard, but set new benchmarks for power, precision, and pure dominance.
1. Yusuf Pathan – 100 for RR vs MI in IPL 2010
This was March 13, 2010 — IPL was still young. No one really thought chasing 200+ was realistic. Rajasthan Royals were up against the star-studded Mumbai Indians, and they needed 213. Then enters Yusuf Pathan. He scored a 37-ball century at the strike rate of 270.27 — at that time, one of the fastest in IPL history. He walked in with the Royals down and nearly pulled off the impossible, smashing Lasith Malinga and Kieron Pollard with brutal efficiency. Yusuf struck nine fours and eight sixes in his staggering innings. His relentless assault on the midwicket and long-on boundaries turned a dead chase into a near-heist. Though RR fell short, Pathan’s knock redefined belief — it showed the IPL world that no target was too big.
2. David Miller – 101* for KXIP vs RCB in IPL 2013
Chasing 191 against a strong Royal Challengers Bangalore (now Royal Challengers Bengaluru) attack, Punjab were struggling. It looked like another easy win for Virat Kohli’s side. But what followed was pure madness. David Miller walked in and absolutely dismantled the RCB bowling unit, finishing on 101* off just 38 balls at a strike rate of 265.78. Hit sixes like he was in a net session. Miller took down top bowlers — anything short was pulled flat, anything full was smoked over long-on. Punjab won with two overs to spare. It wasn’t just about the chase; it was how casually he did it. The line “If it’s in the arc, it’s out of the park” became his tagline that year. This innings solidified his place in the league and in fans’ hearts.
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3. Chris Gayle – 175* for RCB vs PWI in IPL 2013
Already a giant in T20 cricket, Chris Gayle was due a big one. But what happened that day was beyond imagination. 175* off 66 balls at a strike rate of 265.15 including 13 fours, 17 sixes against Pune Warriors. That’s more runs than some teams managed back then. Gayle reached his hundred in just 30 balls. Every shot was calculated destruction — straight sixes, hook shots, slogs, everything. Royal Challengers Bangalore (now Royal Challengers Bengaluru) posted 263, the highest IPL total at the time. It redefined what dominance looked like in T20s. To date, it’s the most outrageous innings in league cricket history.
4. Abhishek Sharma – 141 for SRH vs PBKS in IPL 2025
Facing a massive 240+ target, Abhishek Sharma — a rising star, took it upon himself to lead the chase. The stage was big, the pressure even bigger. He dismantled international-level bowlers with flair, composure, and fearless strokeplay. Sharma used the pace, attacked the spinners, and read the field impeccably. He scored 141 off 55 balls at a strike rate of 256.36, leading Sunrisers Hyderabad to chase down a massive target of 246 set by Punjab Kings. His innings included 10 sixes and 14 fours, marking the highest score by an Indian in IPL history.
Back then, no one was ready for what these legends pulled off, and that’s exactly what made it so special. Today, in 2025, chasing 250 is almost expected. But those knocks? They were unbelievable. They didn’t just win games, they changed the way fans see the game now.
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