IPL 2020: 5 times a team scored less than an individual player's score in the tournament

The traditionalists of cricket have believed that the T20 format is a batsman-dominated game because, unlike Tests and ODIs, the batsmen are more willing to take risks. Taking high risks in a tournament like the IPL has often resulted in higher rewards, as many batsmen have managed to touch the 100-run mark in an IPL inning.

On the other side, there is also a negative impact of taking more risks. Sometimes the batting lineup entirely collapses after the top three-four batsmen return to the pavilion early. Because of this tendency, there have been multiple one-sided matches in the IPL, although all teams are pretty evenly matched in the competition.

Here's a look at the five instances when an individual batsman ended up scoring more runs than a team in IPL history.

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5. KL Rahul — 132* vs. RCB — 109, IPL 2020

Kings XI Punjab skipper KL Rahul led his side from the front in the sixth match of IPL 2020 as the Mohali-based franchise destroyed the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Rahul opened the innings for KXIP and scored an unbeaten 132 off 69 deliveries, including 14 fours and seven sixes.

Punjab posted a total of 206/3 on the board. In reply, Royal Challengers got off to a disastrous start as they lost their first three wickets for just four runs. The trio of Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, and Joshua Philippe returned to the pavilion early. AB de Villiers, Aaron Finch, and Washington Sundar tried their best, but RCB could only manage 109 runs eventually.

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4. Rahul Dravid — 66 vs. RR — 58, IPL 2009

Lowest Team Totals:▪ 49 : RCB▪ 58 : Rajasthan Royals▪ 66 : Delhi Daredevils▪ 67 : Delhi Daredevils▪ 67 : KKR▪ 70 : RCB#IPL #IPL2019

— Brutal Batsman (@BrutalBatsman) March 23, 2019

Royal Challengers Bangalore finished runners-up in IPL 2009. In one of the league matches against the defending champions Rajasthan Royals, Bangalore's bowling attack did not allow the Rajasthan batsmen to score more runs than Rahul Dravid aggregated in the first innings.

Dravid batted at number five for RCB and scored 66 runs off 48 deliveries. Chasing a modest target of 134 runs, Rajasthan did not get any momentum in the second innings. Bangalore's legendary leg-spin bowler Anil Kumble returned with magical figures of 5/5, while Praveen Kumar and Jesse Ryder scalped two wickets each as Rajasthan lost all their wickets for 58 runs.

3. Chris Gayle — 175* vs. PW — 133/9, IPL 2013

The Universe Boss Chris Gayle holds the record for the highest individual score in IPL, courtesy of his incredible knock of 175* against Pune Warriors in 2013. The left-handed opener struck 13 fours and 17 sixes on his way to 175* as he destroyed almost every bowler of the Pune team.

Gayle's innings powered Royal Challengers Bangalore to a record 263/5 in 20 overs. Chasing 264 runs, Pune Warriors could only manage 133/9 and lost the game by 130 runs. Gayle even bowled an over in that game and scalped two wickets, giving away only five runs.

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2. Brendon McCullum — 158* vs. RCB — 82, IPL 2008

Brendon McCullum lit up the Indian Premier League with a swashbuckling inning of 158 runs against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2008 season opener. The New Zealander scored 158 runs off just 73 deliveries, hitting ten fours and 13 sixes at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The home side could only score 82 runs in the second innings as none of their batsmen got going. The likes of Rahul Dravid, Wasim Jaffer, Virat Kohli, Jacques Kallis, Cameron White, and Mark Boucher surrendered to the Kolkata Knight Riders bowling attack. RCB scored 76 runs lesser than McCullum.

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1. Virat Kohli — 109 and AB de Villiers — 129 vs. GL — 104, IPL 2016

Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers stitched a record partnership of 229 runs against Gujarat Lions in 2016

Royal Challengers Bangalore stars Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers blew away the Gujarat Lions bowling attack in the IPL 2016 fixture at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. After electing to bowl first, Gujarat dismissed Chris Gayle early in the innings.

However, Kohli and de Villiers ensured that RCB do not lose another wicket until the last over. Kohli scored 109 runs off 55 balls, whereas his South African partner aggregated 129 runs from 52 deliveries. RCB posted 248/3 on the board in 20 overs. The home team's bowler skittled out the Lions for just 104 as RCB won the game by 144 runs.