Each of the IPL’s ten highest totals came from sides batting first, and eventually proved match-winning by varying margins
ESPNcricinfo staff16-Mar-201710. “Papa, you are not scoring runs”226 for 6, Kings XI Punjab v Chennai Super Kings, Qualifier 2, IPL 2014Result – Kings XI won by 24 runsKings XI edged out Super Kings in a knock-out game which is now associated with Suresh Raina’s 25-ball 87 in a chase of 227. Earlier, however, Virender Sehwag had played one of the IPL’s most destructive knocks, slamming 122 off just 58 balls, before going on to reveal how his son kept telling him “Papa, you are not scoring runs” through his lean patch that season. Sehwag’s reply to his son? “There is still time”.9. Gayle fails; the other two do the business227 for 4, Royal Challengers Bangalorev Sunrisers Hyderabad, IPL 2016Result – Royal Challengers won by 45 runsAB de Villiers, after a Man-of-the-Match performance of 82 off 42, talked about how he was “scratchy, even in the nets”. His 157-run stand with Kohli was followed up with a late blitz by Sarfaraz Khan to take them to 227. Khan’s innings included a 28-run assault on Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 19th over. Alas, when things really mattered in the final between the two sides, the bowler had the last laugh.8. A Miller-Maxwell special that set a new IPL record231 for 4, Kings XIv Super Kings, IPL 2014Result – Kings XI won by 44 runsAfter a steady start took them to just 69 from the first 10 overs, Glenn Maxwell and David Miller came together to put up an IPL record of 162 runs off the last ten overs, including 78 from the last five. The eventual margin is flattering for Super Kings, considering they were never in the game at any point during their chase.Virender Sehwag and David Warner added 146 in just 70 balls•AFP7. Green track? No problem231 for 4, Delhi Daredevilsv Kings XI, IPL 2011Result – Daredevils won by 29 runsSehwag and David Warner put on a show for the Feroz Shah Kotla crowd, on a green deck with enough assistance in it for the bowlers. It was a dream batting combination that proved how destructive it could be on its day. Both ended up with 77 runs, and their innings were almost overshadowed by Shaun Marsh’s spirited 95, which meant his side were in with a shout for the better part of the chase.6. When Churchy went to town232 for 2, Kings XIv Royal Challengers, Dharamsala, IPL 2011Result – Kings XI won by 111 runsThere was lightning and thunder in Dharamsala before this game, but the fireworks came from the bats of Adam Gilchrist and Shaun Marsh. The former rolled back the years and put on a display of clean hitting, which his partner described as a “privilege to watch from the other end”. Gilchrist duly followed it up with a breathtaking catch to send Gayle off and derail the Royal Challengers chase, which folded up all too soon.5. Yet another Kohli-ABD show235 for 1, Royal Challengers Bangalorev Mumbai Indians, Mumbai, IPL 2015Result – Royal Challengers won by 39 runsFor a change, The Wankhede Stadium was the theatre as Kohli and de Villiers went hell for leather against a hapless Mumbai Indians attack. Special treatment was reserved for youngsters, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, whose combined figures read 7-0-103-0. At that time, their 215-run stand was the highest in T20 history, only to be broken by the same duo a year later.Michael Hussey’s 116 kick started Chennai Super Kings’ era of dominance in the IPL•BCCI4. Mr Cricket kick starts Super Kings’ IPL dominance240 for 5, Chennai Super Kingsv Kings XI Punjab, Mohali, IPL 2008Result – Super Kings won by 33 runsThe IPL was just one game old and Brendon McCullum had just put up a performance for the ages on the opening night. Michael Hussey, more steady accumulator than T20 destructor, struck a 54-ball 116 to fulfil his captain’s goal of “putting runs on the board and pressure on Yuvraj”. In the process, he went one-up on brother David, who had ribbed him about his higher auction price. Mr Cricket 116, Bomber 0.3. Vijay announces himself on the big stage246 for 5, Chennai Super Kingsv Rajasthan Royals, IPL 2010Result – Super Kings won by 23 runsAn in-form M Vijay plundered 127 memorable runs on a track tailor-made for batting dominance. Just when things seemed like they could get no worse for Royals, he joined hands with Albie Morkel to smash 155 from the final ten overs. If there was any slim chance of Royals chasing the total down, debutant Doug Bollinger’s dream spell of 4-0-15-2 snuffed it out.2. Yet another Kohli-ABD show : Part II248 for 3, Royal Challengers Bangalorev Gujarat Lions, Bengaluru, IPL 2016Result – Royal Challengers won by 144 runsRemember the game when Kohli and de Villiers broke the IPL partnership record? This is the time when they outdid themselves, and became the first pair ever to own two partnerships of over 200 in this format. Fast bowlers, conventional legspinners, a mystery spinner – they all tried, to no avail. Royal Challengers’ bowlers joined the party, as they inflicted one of IPL’s heaviest defeats.1. When the Universe Boss hit stratospheric heights263 for 5, Royal Challengersv Pune Warriors, IPL 2013Result – Royal Challengers won by 130 runsGayle’s record-breaking assault was incredible even by his standards, as he went about cranking up gears as the innings progressed. One hit into the Bengaluru skies followed another, and by the end of it, Royal Challengers had put up T20’s highest-ever score. He even bowled an over for fun, picked up two wickets, and did a Gangnam to toast a fine day at the office. Life truly was a beach that evening for the Universe Boss.
