Double Century in IPL: Has anyone hit a double century in IPL? Check here

Double Century in IPL: The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the most prestigious and glamorous T20 cricket league in the world. It is known for its big hits, thrilling finishes, and star-studded line-ups. Over the years, we have seen some remarkable individual performances in IPL, but one milestone that has eluded all the players is the elusive double century. Despite the presence of some of the biggest names in cricket, no one has been able to cross the 200-run mark in IPL history. In this article, we will discuss the concept of a double century in IPL and some of the closest attempts made by the players.

Double Century in IPL

A double century is a rare feat in any form of cricket, and it becomes even more challenging in a fast-paced T20 format. To achieve this milestone, a batsman needs to play a long innings and maintain a high scoring rate throughout the innings. In IPL, the closest any player has come to a double century is Chris Gayle, who scored an unbeaten 175 for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors India in IPL 2013. Gayle’s innings was nothing short of extraordinary, as he smashed 13 fours and 17 sixes at a staggering strike rate of 215.19. RCB reached 263/5 in their 20 overs, and Pune Warriors India had no answer to Gayle’s onslaught, as they were bowled out for just 133.

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Apart from Gayle, there have been four other instances where a player has scored a century in IPL. Brendon McCullum’s 158* in the inaugural match of IPL in 2008 set the tone for the league’s success, while Quinton de Kock’s unbeaten 140* for Delhi Daredevils against Gujarat Lions in 2016 was another exceptional innings. AB de Villiers’ 133* for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Mumbai Indians in 2015 and KL Rahul’s unbeaten 132* for Kings XI Punjab against RCB in 2020 were also memorable innings. However, none of these players could convert their century into a double century. No batter has scored a double century in IPL. Below are the top 5 scores in IPL history.

It is essential to understand that a double century in T20 cricket is not just about hitting sixes and fours. A player needs to be patient, play sensible cricket, and take calculated risks. A batsman needs to find gaps, rotate the strike, and keep the scoreboard ticking. At the same time, they also need to maintain a high strike rate and capitalize on the loose balls. It is a challenging task that requires a combination of skill, temperament, and luck.

Chris Gayle, the ‘Universe Boss’

Apart from Gayle, there have been a few other close attempts made by some of the biggest names in cricket. In IPL 2019, Mumbai Indians’ opener, Rohit Sharma, scored 109* against Kolkata Knight Riders. Rohit looked in excellent touch throughout his innings, and he was timing the ball to perfection. However, he fell short of the double century mark by 91 runs.

Also Read: Chris Gayle RCB: How the ‘Universe Boss’ set IPL on fire while playing for RCB

In IPL 2016, Virat Kohli, the current Indian captain, had a phenomenal season with the bat, scoring 973 runs in 16 matches at an average of 81.08. Kohli scored four centuries and seven half-centuries in that season, and he came close to a double century in the match against Gujarat Lions. Kohli scored an unbeaten 109 off 55 balls, and RCB won the match by 144 runs. However, he fell short of the double century mark by 91 runs, just like Rohit Sharma.