9 IPL records that may never be broken

In 11 seasons of IPL, there have been numerous records which have been set. We all know the age-old saying "Records are meant to be broken", but there are some which are so massive that they will stand the test of time. These records have left us in shock as no one saw them coming. Some of these players have also created a name for themselves over the years due to these records. These record-setting events are also what made the Indian Premier League the huge phenomenon it is today.

In this post, I have covered 9 records which are less likely to be broken simply because of their magnitude. These records are both individual records and team records that have not only impressed us but also left us in a state of utter shock.

This list is purely my own opinion. If you feel like I’ve missed something, then please voice your opinion in the comment section below.

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9. Best Bowling Figures - Sohail Tanvir

Sohail Tanvir

This record was set during a match between Chennai Superkings and Rajasthan Royals in the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League. CSK were clear favorites going into the match, but they didn’t account for the unorthodox Pakistani pacer who bowled superbly.

Sohail Tanvir was able to dismiss half of CSK’s batting lineup with ease. He ended up with figures of 4 overs, 14 runs and 6 wickets - a record that stands to this day. Maybe it was his bowling action, but Chennai Superking looked clueless against Sohail Tanvir.

While may bowlers have taken five-wicket hauls, no one has come close to breaking this record. The last time someone came close to breaking this record is when Adam Zampa picked up 6 wickets for 19 runs. In order to break this record, someone would have to at least pick up 6 wickets for 13 runs or less; or scalp 7 wickets which is highly unlikely in a T20 game.

Hence, it is needless to say that is one of those records that may just never be broken.

8. Highest Successful Run Chase - Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals

After winning the toss and choosing to field first, Deccan Chargers batted really well to post a huge total of 214 on the board thanks to a brilliant innings from Andrew Symonds who scored an unbeaten 117 runs.

Rajasthan Royals came out all guns blazing with quick half centuries from Yusuf Pathan and Graeme Smith followed by a cameo from Mohammad Kaif. In the end, it was their skipper Shane Warne who played a heroic innings to lead his team to victory. Ironically enough, the winning runs came off Andrew Symonds’ over. This win proved instrumental in boosting RR’s confidence throughout the season.

This was also the highest successful run chase which hasn’t been broken in 10 years, and I don’t think it will be broken anytime soon.

7. Lowest Team Total - RCB

Royal Challengers Bangalore

When Royal Challengers Bangalore took on KKR at Eden Gardens in 2017, no one expected the match to go the way it did. After batting first KKR was able to score a below-par score of 131 runs. Clearly, RCB had bowled well and were happy with their performances.

Now, all they had to do was chase down this score which should’ve been a very easy task considering RCB’s batting lineup. What would unfold next would go on to shock the cricket fraternity?

Kohli got out for a duck and AB de Villiers' wicket soon followed. This had Royal Challengers Bangalore at 12/3 in 2.3 overs. Soon, 3 wickets became 4 wickets and 4 became 5. Before we knew it, RCB were bowled out for 49 runs in 9.4 overs.

Given RCB’s batting lineup, this was a collapse of epic proportions that set the record for the lowest team total. Breaking this record would take some intense mediocre batting which I don’t think is possible.

6. Highest Team Total - RCB

Chris Gayle

This match took place in 2013 edition of the IPL when Royal Challengers Bangalore took on Pune Warriors India. RCB were put in to bat by PWI - a decision they would soon regret.

Gayle and Dilshan opened the batting. Right from the start of the innings Gayle was hammering the bowlers with serious intent. Gayle and Dilshan put on a massive 167 run partnership form 13.4 overs. This partnership was heavily dominated by Gayle as Dilshan only managed to score 33 runs from 36 balls.

By now it was quite evident that RCB were on track to score a massive total. The fall of the first wicket didn’t slow down ‘The Universe Boss’ as he put on a quick 40 runs partnership with Virat Kohli to take the score to 207 in just 16.2 overs.

AB de Villiers joined Gayle at the crease and even then RCB didn’t stop scoring runs. In fact, the run rate went up as de Villiers scored 31 from just 8 balls with 3 fours and 3 sixes. He put a partnership of 44 runs in just 15 balls.

Gayle finished the match unbeaten on 175 - the highest individual score in T20 cricket. All this big hitting helped RCB post a total of 263/5 in 20 overs. This was the biggest team total in IPL.

In response, PWI only managed to score 133/9 from 20 overs giving RCB the win by 130 runs. Chris Gayle was the man of the match.

5. Highest batting partnership - AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli

AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli

This record was set during a match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Gujarat Lions. RCB were batting first, and after losing an early wicket, AB de Villiers walked out to join Kohli and what would ensue next was utter destruction.

AB and Virat put on a partnership of 239 runs to break the record for the highest partnership for any wicket - a record which was previously held by the same duo.

This partnership saw the duo smash 20 sixes in a masterclass innings. Both men went on to score centuries which is also the first time in IPL history 2 batsmen scored centuries in a single IPL game.

This partnership helped RCB post a total of 248 runs which is the second highest IPL total ever. The highest team total also belonged to RCB.

In the end, RCB won by 144 runs.

4. Largest winning margin - Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians were put into bat by Delhi Daredevils at Feroz Shah Kotla. MI capitalized on a very good start and were able to score 212/3 in 20 overs thanks to some power hitting from Lendl Simmons and Kieron Pollard.

Chasing down a big score like this would be a daunting task for DD. No one expected this DD team to pull off the win, but no one expected them to lose in the way they did.

DD were bowled out for 66 runs giving MI the biggest winning margin in IPL history of 146 runs. Though the record was set just last year, it would be pretty hard to beat this margin. The previous record was 144 runs which was set the year prior.

Beating such a record would take some serious batting and bowling efforts.

3. CSK - 9 seasons, 9 playoffs, 7 finals and 3 trophies

Chennai Superkings

It’s no surprise that Chennai Super Kings have been the most dominating team in the history of the IPL. They have played for 9 seasons out of 11. Out of those 9 seasons, CSK have made it to the playoff every single time to make them the only team to do so.

Out of 9 playoffs they have made it to the finals on 7 occasions which is the most by any team and they also lifted 3 trophies making them only the second team after Mumbai Indians to do so.

They are also the only IPL franchise who haven’t changed captains since their inception. They did all this under one man - M.S. Dhoni. CSK also have the highest winning percentage of 61%. All these records by CSK will never be replicated again making them a legendary franchise.

2. Most runs and centuries in a single season

Virat Kohli

2016 was one of the best years of Virat Kohli in his IPL career. It was also one of RCB’s best years in the tournament. Going into the tournament, Virat didn’t have such a great record and hadn’t even scored a single ton yet.

But all that change once he found his rhythm. He started scoring runs freely and it was helping his team.

Kohl scored his maiden IPL ton against Gujarat Lions when he scored 100 to help his team reach 180. Although it was in a losing effort, he was awarded the man of the match.

His second century was against Rising Pune Supergiants when he scored 108 from 58 deliveries helping RCB chase down the target of 191 runs.

His third century came against Gujarat Lions again when he scored 109 runs from 55 deliveries. He was involved in a 239 run partnership with AB de Villiers which saw RCB post 248 runs in 20 overs. This was his 3rd ton of the season. He also became the first player to score 3 centuries in a single season.

His fourth and final century was against KXIP when he scored 113 runs. This was his most impressive knock yet. After being injured while fielding and receiving 7 stitches on his left hand, Virat came back in the second innings and fought through the pain to score a blistering hundred and help his team go through to the playoffs. What’s even more impressive is that two of these four centuries came within a span of just 10 days.

Kohli set another record in the season when he became the first player to score more than 900 runs in a single IPL season. He scored a total of 973 runs and won the orange cap, but RCB still couldn’t lift the trophy that year.

1. Highest individual score - Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle

This is one of the most talked about moments since it happened. When Brendon McCullum scored 158 runs in the very first match, no one thought that anyone would break that record. Well, we all were proved wrong by Christopher Henry Gayle.

Gayle set the record of the highest individual score in all of T20 cricket when he scored a massive 175 runs against Pune Warriors India in the 2013 edition of the Indian Premier League.

He also hammered the fastest IPL century in his record-breaking innings and finished with an unbeaten 175 runs from 66 balls helping his team reach a record-setting 263 runs in 20 overs.

This is one record I’m absolutely sure will never be broken again.