10 Player Who Scored Most Centuries in IPL Matches

Scoring a century in the T20 format is a remarkable achievement due to the limited time and balls available for batting compared to longer formats like Test or ODI cricket. In T20, players need to score quickly without wasting too many deliveries.

The first century ever scored in the Indian Premier League (IPL) was by Brendon McCullum. This historic feat occurred during the inaugural match of the IPL in 2008. Playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders, McCullum smashed 158 runs off just 73 balls against the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Virat Kohli holds the record for the most centuries in the IPL. Kohli has scored seven centuries and 50 half-centuries while playing for RCB. Kohli is also the leading run-scorer in the tournament, having amassed 7263 runs in 229 innings at a strike rate of 130.02. In the ninth season of the IPL in 2016, Kohli scored four centuries, setting a record for the highest number of centuries by a batsman in the IPL, until it was equalled by Jos Buttler in 2022. Kohli also scored two consecutive centuries in IPL 2023.

Check out a list of the top 10 batsmen with most centuries in the IPL.

Top 10 Players with Most Centuries in the IPL

1.Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli holds several records in the IPL. He is the highest run-scorer in the tournament history with over 8,000 runs, and also holds the record for the most centuries in the tournament (8). Four of these centuries came in IPL 2016, when Kohli was in the form of his life, finishing the season with a remarkable tally of 973 runs in 16 innings at an average of 81.08 and a strike rate of 152.03.

2. Jos Buttler

Jos Buttler is second on the list with seven centuries in 107 matches innings. Four of those centuries came in IPL 2022, when he scored 863 runs at a strike rate of almost 150. Buttler has overall scored 3582 runs in the IPL from 2016 to 2024, at an average of 38.11 and a strike rate of 147.53.69.

3. Chris Gayle

Universe Boss Chris Gayle is third on the list of most centuries in the IPL with six centuries. He also holds the record for the most sixes in the tournament (357), and the fastest century in the tournament, taking just 30 balls to reach a century against the now-defunct Pune franchise in 2013. Gayle played a total of 142 IPL matches from 2008 to 2021, scoring 4965 runs at a strike rate of almost 149.

4. Shubman Gill

Following Gayle on the list is young sensation Shubman Gill, who has hit four centuries in his IPL career where he has played for KKR and Gujarat Titans. Gill, since making his IPL debut in 2018, has played 103 matches, scoring 3216 runs at a strike rate of 135.69. He was the leading run-scorer in IPL 2023.

5. KL Rahul

KL Rahul has been a consistent performer in the IPL since his debut in 2013. Rahul has represented various franchises including Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), Lucknow Super Giants, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Sunrisers Hyderabad. In 132 matches, Rahul has an impressive average of 45.46 and a strike rate of 134.60. This includes four centuries and 37 fifties.

6. Shane Watson

Shane Watson, who played for Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Rajasthan Royals, scored 3874 runs at an average of 30.99 and a strike rate of 137.91 in 145 matches. He registered four centuries and 21 half-centuries.

7. David Warner

David Warner, one of the leading run-scorers in IPL history from 2009 to 2024, has amassed 6565 runs at an average of 40.52 and a strike rate of 139.77 in 184 matches. Known for his aggressive batting style and consistent run-scoring ability, Warner has recorded four centuries and 62 half-centuries.

8. Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson, representing Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, has scored 4419 runs at an average of 30.68 and a strike rate of 138.96 in 168 matches. This includes 3 centuries and 25 fifties.

9. AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers played for several teams in his illustrious IPL career, including Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore. With 5162 runs at an average of 39.70 and a phenomenal strike rate of 151.68 in 184 matches, de Villiers established himself as one of the greatest players in the tournament. He scored three centuries and 40 half-centuries.

10. Hashim Amla

Hashim Amla, who represented Kings XI Punjab from 2016 to 2017, scored 577 runs at an impressive average of 44.38 and a strike rate of 141.76 in 16 matches. This includes two centuries and three fifties.

FAQs about Most Centuries in the IPL

Q) Who scored the first century in IPL history?

A) Brendon McCullum scored the first century in IPL history during the inaugural match of the tournament in 2008. Playing for Kolkata Knight Riders, McCullum smashed 158 runs off 73 balls against Royal Challengers Bangalore, setting the tone for the league’s explosive batting displays.

Q) Which player holds the record for the most centuries in the IPL?

A) Virat Kohli holds the record for the most centuries in the IPL, with eight centuries to his name. Playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kohli is also the highest run-scorer in IPL history.

Q) Who holds the record for the fastest century in IPL history?

A) Chris Gayle holds the record for the fastest century in IPL history, scoring it off just 30 balls against Pune Warriors India in 2013.

Q) Which player has scored the most runs in the IPL overall?

A) Virat Kohli is the highest run-scorer in IPL history, amassing over 8,000 runs across 252 matches. His consistency and ability to score heavily in multiple seasons have established him as one of the premier batsmen in the tournament’s history.

Q) How many centuries has AB de Villiers scored in the IPL?

A) AB de Villiers scored three centuries in the IPL while representing Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

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