Top 5 IPL batsmen who outscored their opposition

The first two weeks of IPL 2020 have certainly lived up to the hype. We've already seen two Super Overs, some dubious umpiring decisions, plenty of sixes, a record-breaking ton, and few heart-breaks.

Kings XI Punjab skipper KL Rahul's blistering 132* against Royal Challengers Bangalore at Dubai kept the record-books tumbling. The 28-year-old made mincemeat of RCB bowlers and en route notched up the highest score by an Indian in IPL history. What makes his 132* more impressive is the fact that he barely slogged a bowl and still managed to end up with a strike-rate of 191.3.

The premier batsman's ton inflicted a 97-run defeat on RCB, and he outscored the opposition in the process. Virat Kohli's men were bowled out for 109. Cricket is bizarre, isn't it?

(Image credits: iplt20.com)

As outlandish it may seem, Rahul is not the only one to achieve this feat. Here, we delve into other such eccentric occurrences where a batsman has outscored their opposition in the IPL:

#5. Brendon McCullum (2008)

Brendon McCullum (Image credits: iplt20.com)

Date: 18 April 2008

Venue: M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore

Brendon McCullum 158* (73)

KKR 222/3 Vs RCB 82

Brendon McCullum blasted his way to an epic career-defining 158* off 73 balls on the opening night of the first edition, which not only provided a crazy start to the tournament, but also laid to rest those who doubted the tournament's longevity. The Kiwi dasher struck 13 sixes and 10 boundaries and had a phenomenal strike-rate of 216.43 to boot.

The Sourav Ganguly-led Knight Riders went onto score 222 while Rahul Dravid's Royal Challengers Bangalore offered zero fight, wrapping up for 82.

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#4. Rahul Dravid (2009)

Rahul Dravid (Image credits: iplt20.com)

Date: 18 April 2009

Venue: Cape Town

Rahul Dravid 66 (48)

RCB 133/8 Vs RR 58

This was the early days of the IPL, when 140 was a competitive score. Rahul Dravid starred with the bat for RCB after their top-order collapsed within 5 overs for 17/3. Dravid rolled down his years with a gritty half-century that involved eight boundaries and a six. He carried his bat until the final over despite wickets tumbling at the other end.

Spin wizard Anil Kumble's excellent spell of 5/5 humbly surrendered the Royals to a mere 58, and pushed the inaugural champions to the then-lowest score in the IPL.

#3. Chris Gayle (2013 & 2015)

Chris Gayle (Image credits: iplt20.com)

Date: 23 April 2013

Venue: M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore

Chris Gayle 175* (66)

RCB 263/5 Vs PWI 133/9

In 2013, Chris Gayle blitzed the fastest ton and highest score in T20s as he made a mockery of the Pune Warriors bowling attack. The self-proclaimed 'Universe Boss' hammered 17 sixes and 13 fours and ended up with a staggering strike-rate of 265.15, capitulating the Royal Challengers to the highest total in T20 history. He spared no bowler barring Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who escaped the wrath by conceding just 23 runs off his 4 overs.

The defunct Pune-based franchise failed to match Gayle's score, let alone the target as they only managed 133 in their regular quota of 20 overs.

Chris Gayle (Image credits: iplt20.com)

Date: 6 May 2015

Venue: M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore

Chris Gayle 117 (57)

RCB 226/3 Vs KXIP 88

Another dominating innings by the Jamaican destroyer as he single-handedly punched the life out of Kings XI Punjab bowlers. The explosive southpaw slammed 12 sixes and 7 fours as he powered RCB to 226. A custodian of numerous T20 records, Gayle added a few more with his 14th T20 century as he became the first foreigner and the fastest to cross the 3,000 run mark in the IPL.

Punjab sleepwalked through the chase, losing half their side inside the powerplay, and were bundled out for 88.

#2. Virat Kohli & AB de Villiers (2016)

Virat Kohli (Image credits: iplt20.com)

Date: 14 May 2016

Venue: M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore

AB de Villiers 129* (52) & Virat Kohli 109 (55)

RCB 248/3 Vs GL 104

This was a day to be remembered in the history of IPL, as two outstanding cricketers orchestrated mayhem by scoring glorious hundreds. Hell broke loose in the final 10 overs, as Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers wrecked absolute carnage against Gujarat Lions at Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Records fell like ninepins as the pair stitched together a magnificent 229 run partnership, which eclipsed the duo's own record of 215 set against Mumbai Indians and propelled RCB to 248.

De Villiers smashed a sparkling unbeaten 129 off 52 balls with 10 fours and 12 maximums, while Kohli hit an equally-brilliant 109 off 55 deliveries containing five fours and eight hits over the fence.

AB de Villiers (Image credits: iplt20.com)

The Royal Challengers registered a crushing 144-run defeat on league leaders Gujarat Lions, as they only managed a paltry 104 in reply. This was also RCB's biggest win in terms of run-margins in the IPL, and the second biggest in tournament history.

#1. Jonny Bairstow (2019)

Jonny Bairstow (Image credits: iplt20.com)

Date: 31 March 2019

Venue: Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad

Jonny Bairstow 114 (56)

SRH 231/2 Vs RCB 113

David Warner and Johnny Bairstow slaughtered the Royal Challengers bowling attack with rapid centuries of their own to take SRH to a mammoth 231. The opening pair's record stand of 185 runs was their third straight opening century partnership and broke the record for the highest ever opening partnership in IPL. Bairstow laced his maiden IPL hundred with 12 fours and seven sixes.

RCB suffered a humiliating loss of 118 runs as Mohammad Nabi ended the proceedings with a 4/11.