| Player | Score (Balls) | Strike Rate | Against | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Gayle (RCB) | 175* (66) | 265.15 | Pune Warriors | Bengaluru | 23 Apr 2013 |
| Brendon McCullum (KKR) | 158* (73) | 216.43 | RCB | Bengaluru | 18 Apr 2008 |
| Abhishek Sharma (SRH) | 141 (55) | 256.36 | PBKS | Hyderabad | 12 Apr 2025 |
| Quinton de Kock (LSG) | 140* (70) | 200.00 | KKR | Navi Mumbai | 18 May 2022 |
| KL Rahul (Kings XI Punjab) | 132* (69) | 191.30 | RCB | Dubai (DICS) | 24 Sep 2020 |
| Shubman Gill (GT) | 129 (60) | 215.00 | MI | Ahmedabad | 26 May 2023 |
| Chris Gayle (RCB) | 128* (62) | 206.45 | Delhi Daredevils | Delhi | 17 May 2012 |
| Murali Vijay (CSK) | 127 (56) | 226.78 | RR | Chennai | 3 Apr 2010 |
| David Warner (SRH) | 126 (59) | 213.55 | KKR | Hyderabad | 30 Apr 2017 |
| Jos Buttler (RR) | 124 (64) | 193.75 | SRH | Delhi | 2 May 2021 |
Key Insights – Key Performances from the Openers in IPL
Chris Gayle’s unbeaten 175 sits comfortably at the top. He hammered that memorable knock in 66 balls against Pune Warriors in 2013. It is also the highest ever score by any IPL batter in an innings.
The Universe Boss reached his hundred in 30 deliveries, which makes it the fastest by an opener in the IPL.
Gayle’s carnage included 17 sixes, which are the most by a batter in an IPL innings.
When it comes to fours, Paul Valthaty takes the pole position. He smashed 19 boundaries in his unbeaten 120 runs against Chennai Super Kings in 2011.
Brendon McCullum was the first-ever opener to score a hundred in the league. He brought up 158 not out in 2008, which remained the highest score for five years.
Abhishek Sharma stands at the top among Indian openers. He blasted 141 runs against Punjab Kings in 2025 to sur KL Rahul’s 132*.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi scripted a record as the youngest batter to score a hundred in the league. He was 14 years and 32 days old when he scored 101 runs against Gujarat Titans while opening for Rajasthan Royals in 2025.
Adam Gilchrist, in contrast, stands at the other end. He remains the oldest centurion at 39 years and 184 days. While opening for Punjab, Gilchrist scored 106 runs against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in 2011.
Suryavanshi’s knock came at a strike rate of 265.78, which is the highest by an opener while scoring a century in the IPL. He beat Gayle’s strike rate of 265.15 achieved during his 175-run massacre.
Virat Kohli has scored the most IPL hundreds as an opener. All of his eight centuries have come as an opener for RCB.
There are close to 80 instances of openers scoring hundreds, which are the most at a batting position in the IPL.
