Chris Gayle made his IPL debut in the 2009 season for the Kolkata Knight Riders. He stayed with the franchise for a couple of years before moving to the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2011. After playing 7 seasons for them, he represented Punjab Kings from 2018 to 2021. In this 13-year-long IPL career, he accumulated 4965 runs at an amazing average of 39.72 and a stunning strike rate of 148.96.
Let’s see which were his 10 most remarkable performances in the cash-rich league:
1. 175* off 66 vs. Pune Warriors in IPL 2013
No cricket fan can forget this astonishing innings that stunned everyone. Chris Gayle walked out to bat against the Pune Warriors. In no time, he raised his bat to celebrate his 30-ball ton. It is still the fastest hundred in T20 cricket. But the Caribbean didn’t stop there and batted till the end of the innings. He stayed unbeaten at 175 after facing 66 balls. This marathon knock consisted of 13 fours and 17 mighty sixes. His amazing batting effort powered the Royal Challengers Bangalore to 263 for 5, and they got a huge win by 130 runs.
2. 76 off 38 vs. Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2016 Final
The Universe Boss was badly out of touch in the 2016 edition of the league. AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli were carrying RCB’s batting lineup. But, the Southpaw stepped up in the big final as Hyderabad set a target of 209. He thrashed 76 off just 38, along with 4 fours and 8 sixes. At his departure, Bangalore were firm favourites to win the game. But the rest of the batting choked under pressure, and Hyderabad got the victory.
3. 96 off 56 vs. Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2015
The Royal Challengers were chasing a target of 178 runs against KKR. Virat Kohli got out for 13(15) as the chasing side was 29 for 1 after 4.5 overs. The next two batters also fell cheaply as RCB got reduced to 56 for 3 in 8 overs. AB de Villiers hit 28 off 13 to offer some support to Gayle. When he got out, the target was 85 in 9 overs.
The left-hander kept marching toward the target as a lone warrior. Bangalore lost their 6th wicket in the 17th over at the score of 133. With 45 required off 23, Gayle helped his team get 38 in the next 12 balls. He eventually lost his wicket after playing an incredible 96-run innings. The innings had 7 fours and as many sixes in it. He left the ground with the equation being reduced to 7 off 10. His team got the victory with one over to spare.
4. 92* off 58 vs. Mumbai Indians in IPL 2013
RCB were batting first on a tricky track. The Universe Boss nullified the effect of the pitch to dominate Mumbai’s bowlers. He batted through the innings to score 92 runs in 58 balls. He bunted 11 sixes and 5 fours during his stay. Whereas the rest of Bangalore’s batters managed just 48 runs in 62 balls. Thanks to this sensational knock from him, RCB edged a 2-run win.
5. 104* off 63 vs. Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2018
It was Chris Gayle’s first season with the Punjab side. He opened the innings alongside KL Rahul in a league match. Rahul got out after struggling to a 21-ball 18. As a result, Punjab Kings were 53 for 1 in 7.5 overs. Gayle decided to up the ante and slammed 104 runs in just 63 balls. His innings included just one four but 11 sixes. Punjab made 193 for 3 in 20 overs and picked a 15-run win.
6. 117 off 57 vs. Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2015
In a league game against KXIP, the leftie played a punishing innings of 117 runs. He slammed 12 sixes and 7 fours in his 57-ball stay. Gayle’s show with the bat took his team to 226 for 3 and gave them a huge win by 138 runs.
7. 81 off 48 vs. Pune Warriors in IPL 2012
Pune batted first and posted 182 for 6 on the board. Bangalore lost the first 3 wickets for 72 runs. At that stage, they required 111 runs in just 49 balls. The Caribbean was batting with all the freedom, and he kept going the same way. His 48-ball knock resulted in 81 runs, along with 4 boundaries and 8 maximums. When his wicket fell, RCB required 56 more to win off just 26 balls.
AB de Villiers and Saurabh Tiwary took the chasing side home. With 20 needed off the last 5 balls, ABD went 4,6 and 6 to leave 4 off 2. Then, he took a single, and Tiwary deposited the final ball over the boundary to get a last-ball win.
8. 102* off 55 vs. Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2011
It was his first season with the Royal Challengers Bangalore, and he put on an absolute exhibition against his old franchise. While chasing a target of 172 runs against KKR, Gayle smashed 102 runs in just 55 balls. The innings had 10 fours and 7 maximums in it. Courtesy of this high-quality innings, Bangalore achieved the target with 9 wickets and 11 balls to spare.
9. 89 off 47 vs. Mumbai Indians in IPL 2011
It was the second qualifier of the 2011 edition of the Indian Premier League. Gayle was the main man behind RCB’s progress to the playoffs. He stepped up once again for Bangalore and smacked 89 off just 47. The innings was laced with 9 boundaries and 5 sixes. The Royal Challengers scored 185 for 4 and bagged a 43-run win.
10. 128* off 62 vs. Delhi Daredevils in IPL 2012
It was another one of Gayle’s special hundreds for RCB. He made 128 runs with the help of 7 fours and 13 sixes while facing only 62 deliveries. The left-hander took his side to 215 for 1. In reply, Delhi Daredevils managed to get to 194 for 9.
