Ranking the top 5 centuries by RCB batters in the IPL

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) kept their hopes of qualifying for the playoffs alive after thrashing the Sunrisers Hyderabad by 8 wickets at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on December 18.

Riding on a sensational century from the blade of Virat Kohli, RCB chased down a challenging target of 187 with four deliveries to spare.

This was the 6th time Kohli scored a century in the cash-rich league. Four of his centuries came in the 2016 edition, the year when he amassed 973 runs in a single season. RCB needs to win their final game against the Gujarat Titans to confirm their place in the playoffs.

In total, 16 centuries have been made by the RCB players so far which is more than any team. Among them, six have been scored by Virat and five by Chris Gayle. AB de Villiers also scored a couple of tons during his association with the franchise.

So, it's a good idea to look back at these hundreds and pick the five best ones. Here is a specially-curated list of the top 5 centuries scored by RCB batsmen over the years in IPL:

#1 Chris Gayle: 175 vs Pune Warriors India 2013

Chris Gayle's 175* was an unforgettable knock [File Photo]

How do you look beyond this masterpiece from the 'Universe Boss' Chris Gayle? It has to be one of the, if not the, most destructive knocks in the history of the game.

Playing against the now-defunct Pune Warriors India, Gayle treated the delirious Chinnaswamy Stadium crowd to some electrifying strokeplay. He remained unbeaten on 175 off a mere 66 deliveries.

It was power-hitting at its very best as Gayle kept clearing the fence with ease. His innings was studded with 13 fours and as many as 17 sixes.

None of the bowlers were spared as RCB posted 263 in their allotted 20 overs, the highest IPL score to date. They eventually went on to register a massive 130-run victory.

#2 AB de Villiers: 133 vs Mumbai Indians 2015

If not for Chris Gayle, ABD’s special knock of 133 would have topped the list without an iota of doubt.

The class of the innings was perhaps even better than Gayle’s as the legendary South African smashed the listless MI bowlers to all corners of the Wankhede Stadium.

Batting first, RCB lost Chris Gayle early but ABD and Virat Kohli turned it around for the Challengers as they batted through the innings, taking the score to 235/1 in 20 overs.

ABD looked in ominous touch right from the word go and accessed every corner of the ground. What was amazing about this knock was the fact that he smashed just four sixes during his innings.

It was more about manoeuvring the field and executing the shots towards regions where the fielders were absent.

Lendl Simmons and Kieron Pollard ignited the hopes of MI with blistering knocks, but the target was way too much as MI went down by 39 runs in the end.

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#3 AB de Villiers: 129 vs Gujarat Titans 2016

Another ABD masterclass was on display at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in the year 2016. Playing against the now-defunct Gujarat Lions, AB remained unbeaten on 129 off just 52 deliveries, which included 10 fours and 12 sixes.

While the innings at the Wankhede was more about finding the gaps, this particular knock from the original 'Mr. 360' was more about power and clearing the fence.

Yet again, the duo of ABD and Kohli shared a massive stand of 229 runs. This powered them to 248 in 20 overs. Gujarat Lions could never get going and went down by 144 runs in the end.

#4 Virat Kohli: 113 vs Kings XI Punjab 2016

The former RCB skipper holds the record for the most IPL centuries, but this knock against the Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) was a class above the rest. Modifying his natural game, Virat took the attack to the Punjab bowlers right from ball one.

In a match which was reduced to 15-overs-a-side, RCB needed to get off to a flyer to post a commendable score on the board. Sharing a 147-run opening stand with Chris Gayle, Kohli powered RCB to 211/3 in just 15 overs.

His knock was studded with 12 fours and 8 sixes and on a small ground, Kohli took full toll on some loose bowling by the Punjab bowlers. His knock set the platform for the bowling unit, as they eventually won the match comfortably by 82 runs.

#5 Rajat Patidar: 112 vs Lucknow Supergiants 2022

Rajat Patidar scored a match-winning century against LSG in the eliminator clash in 2022.

Among all the big names, Rajat Patidar finds a place on the list courtesy of his superb knock in the eliminator clash against the Lucknow Supergiants last year.

The Royal Challengers went through to the playoffs as the 4th ranked team, with 8 wins in 14 matches.

In the knockout game against LSG, RCB was put into bat by KL Rahul and it backfired as Rajat played one of the finest T20 knocks under pressure. He was severe on the spinners and it was calculative hitting from the young bloke.

He smashed 12 fours and 7 sixes during his belligerent knock of 112 in just 54 deliveries. Powered by his century, RCB posted 207 on the board.

LSG was in the game for most of the run chase, but some tight bowling towards the death overs eventually gave RCB a 14-run victory.