The Powerplay in IPL cricket is where legends are born and records are shattered.
Those first six overs can turn an ordinary match into an unforgettable spectacle.
When batsmen decide to go all-out attack mode, boundaries fly, bowlers panic, and fans witness pure cricketing carnage.
Since 2008, the IPL has given us moments that seemed impossible.
Opening partnerships that demolished bowling attacks. Innings where every ball felt destined for the boundary.
Scoreboards racing so fast that commentators ran out of words.
But which teams actually dominated the Powerplay like never before?
We’re talking about the top 10 highest powerplay scores in IPL history – the absolute best, most explosive, most jaw-dropping first six overs cricket has ever witnessed.
From the early days when 50 runs seemed ambitious, to the modern era where teams casually cross 100 without breaking a sweat—this list captures cricket’s evolution.
Highest Powerplay Scores in IPL History
You’ll discover which fearless opening pairs made bowlers wish they’d chosen another profession.
Which stadiums became batting paradises. And which specific matches rewrote what we thought was possible in T20 cricket.
Every entry on this list tells a story of courage, skill, and unbelievable entertainment.
Ready to relive cricket’s most explosive moments? Let’s dive into the chaos.
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What Exactly is a Powerplay in IPL Cricket?
Before we dive into the fireworks, let’s understand what makes the Powerplay so special.
In T20 cricket, the Powerplay refers to the first six overs of an innings. During this period, fielding restrictions are in place—only two fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle.
This gives batsmen a golden opportunity to go after the bowling without worrying about deep fielders patrolling the boundaries.
Why is the Powerplay so crucial?
The answer is simple: momentum. A strong Powerplay sets the foundation for massive totals.
It puts pressure on the opposition, forces captains to burn through their best bowlers early, and creates psychological dominance.
In modern IPL cricket, teams don’t just aim to survive the Powerplay without losing wickets.
They actively target 50-plus scores regularly, and elite teams push towards 60, 70, or even beyond. The game has evolved dramatically, and batsmen now attack from ball one with minimal hesitation.
The Powerplay has become a mini-battle within the bigger war—win it, and you’re halfway to victory.
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The Evolution of Powerplay Batting: From 2008 to 2025
The Early Years (2008–2013): Cautious Optimism
When the IPL began in 2008, Powerplay scores of around 40-45 were considered decent. Teams prioritized preserving wickets over reckless aggression. Openers like Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, and Matthew Hayden mixed caution with calculated risks.
Back then, losing two wickets in the Powerplay was seen as a disaster. The approach was conservative—set a platform first, explode later.
The Middle Era (2014–2018): The Chris Gayle Effect
Everything changed when explosive openers like Chris Gayle, Virender Sehwag, and AB de Villiers showed what was possible. Suddenly, 50-run Powerplays became routine, and teams started chasing 60-plus regularly.
Kolkata Knight Riders’ opening pair of Sunil Narine and Chris Lynn became a nightmare for bowlers. They redefined what fearless batting looked like, treating new-ball bowlers like club cricketers.
The Modern Era (2019–2025): Data-Driven Destruction
Today’s IPL is a completely different beast. With data analytics, impact player rules, and improved batting techniques, Powerplay scores have skyrocketed.
Teams now average 55-60 runs in the Powerplay without breaking a sweat. Elite combinations like Travis Head-Abhishek Sharma, Jos Buttler-Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Phil Salt-Sunil Narine regularly cross 70.
The influence of T20 internationals and franchise cricket worldwide has raised standards exponentially. Batsmen study bowlers on iPads, know their weaknesses, and exploit them ruthlessly.
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Top 10 Record-Breaking Powerplays in IPL History
Here’s where it gets exciting. Let’s look at the most destructive Powerplay performances ever witnessed in the IPL.
| Rank | Team vs Opponent | Score | Venue | Year | Key Players |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SRH vs DC | 125/0 | Delhi | 2024 | Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma |
| 2 | SRH vs LSG | 107/0 | Hyderabad | 2024 | Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma |
| 3 | KKR vs RCB | 105/0 | Bengaluru | 2017 | Sunil Narine, Chris Lynn |
| 4 | CSK vs PBKS | 100/2 | Mumbai | 2014 | Virender Sehwag, Glenn Maxwell |
| 5 | SRH vs RR | 94/1 | Hyderabad | 2025 | Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma |
| 6 | RCB vs PBKS | 93/0 | Bengaluru | 2016 | Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle |
| 7 | MI vs SRH | 91/0 | Mumbai | 2023 | Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan |
| 8 | DC vs GT | 89/0 | Delhi | 2023 | David Warner, Phil Salt |
| 9 | KKR vs MI | 88/0 | Kolkata | 2018 | Sunil Narine, Chris Lynn |
| 10 | RR vs KKR | 87/1 | Jaipur | 2024 | Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal |
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The Record-Shattering 125/0: SRH’s Historic Assault
The Match That Changed Everything
On April 20, 2024, Sunrisers Hyderabad walked onto the Arun Jaitley Stadium and produced the highest powerplay score in IPL history list – a mind-blowing 125/0.
Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma didn’t just bat—they obliterated the Delhi Capitals bowling attack. Head blasted 89 not out, while Abhishek contributed 36 runs, but their partnership created something magical.
What Made This Innings Special?
Every bowler who came on got hammered. Khaleel Ahmed, Ishant Sharma, Mukesh Kumar—none were spared. The boundaries kept flowing like a waterfall: sixes over long-on, slashes over point, pulls over mid-wicket.
The highest powerplay score in IPL scorecard showed 20 boundaries (14 fours and 6 sixes) in just six overs. Delhi Capitals had no answers. Their fielding captain looked helpless as the scoreboard kept racing.
This wasn’t just aggressive batting—it was systematic destruction. Head’s timing was pristine, Abhishek’s power complemented him perfectly, and together they rewrote history.
The Travis Head-Abhishek Sharma Phenomenon
If you’re searching for the most runs in powerplay in IPL by player in recent seasons, Travis Head’s name dominates the conversation.
Travis Head’s Powerplay Mastery
The Australian left-hander arrived in IPL 2024 as a World Cup hero and immediately took the tournament by storm. His Powerplay strike rate exceeded 200 in multiple matches.
What makes Head special is his ability to hit length balls for six with minimal effort. He doesn’t need short deliveries or half-volleys—he manufactures boundaries from nowhere.
Abhishek Sharma: The Fearless Youngster
Abhishek Sharma has transformed from a promising talent into a Powerplay beast. His left-arm spin gives SRH flexibility, but his batting—especially during the Powerplay—has been sensational.
He hits straight down the ground with authority, slashes square boundaries, and never backs down from any bowler. His partnership with Head became the most feared opening combination in IPL 2024 and continued dominating in 2025.
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Other Legendary Powerplay Partnerships
Sunil Narine & Chris Lynn (KKR)
Before SRH’s dominance, this West Indian-Australian duo terrorized bowlers. Their 105/0 against RCB in 2017 remained the benchmark for years.
Narine’s unorthodox batting confused bowlers. He’d shuffle across, open his stance, and launch balls into orbit. Lynn provided the muscle—his pull shots cleared boundaries with ease.
Together, they created chaos. KKR’s strategy was simple: send these two out and watch fireworks.
Virender Sehwag & Glenn Maxwell (CSK)
Though Sehwag played just one IPL season with Chennai, his 100/2 Powerplay partnership with Maxwell against Punjab was unforgettable.
Sehwag’s fearless approach, combined with Maxwell’s 360-degree strokeplay, produced explosive entertainment. Both batsmen played without inhibition, treating every ball as a scoring opportunity.
Jos Buttler & Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR)
Rajasthan Royals discovered gold with this combination. Buttler’s experience and Jaiswal’s youthful aggression created a perfect balance.
In IPL 2024, they consistently crossed 70-75 in Powerplays, setting up massive totals. Jaiswal’s leg-side flicks and Buttler’s switch-hits became signature shots.
Impact of Powerplay Scores on Match Results
Research shows teams scoring 60+ in Powerplays win approximately 70% of their matches. Cross 75, and that percentage jumps to 85%.
Why Does Powerplay Dominance Matter So Much?
Cricket is a game of momentum. A strong Powerplay demoralizes the opposition, forces defensive field placements, and creates scoreboard pressure.
When teams post 180-200+ totals after blistering Powerplays, chasing sides feel the burden immediately. They must take risks from the start, leading to wickets and mounting pressure.
The highest powerplay score in IPL 2025 continues this trend—teams starting aggressively almost always finish with winning totals.
Comparing IPL Powerplays to T20 Internationals
You might wonder: how do IPL Powerplays stack up against international cricket?
The Highest Powerplay Score in T20 International Cricket
While IPL teams have reached 125/0, the highest T20I Powerplay score is 102/0, scored by South Africa against West Indies in 2023.
Why Are IPL Powerplays More Explosive?
Several factors contribute:
- Flat pitches: IPL venues prepare batting-friendly surfaces to ensure entertainment
- Smaller boundaries: Many IPL grounds have shorter boundaries, making sixes easier
- Quality international players: Every team boasts world-class batsmen and explosive openers
- Tournament pressure: Teams know every match matters, so they take aggressive approaches
IPL has essentially become the laboratory where T20 batting innovation happens. International teams then adopt these strategies.
How Teams Plan for Powerplay Success?
Modern cricket is scientific. Teams don’t just send players out hoping for the best—they strategize meticulously.
- Pre-Match Analysis
Analysts study opposition bowlers frame by frame. Which balls do they bowl in the Powerplay? Where are their weak zones? How do they respond under pressure?
- Matchups Matter
Right-hand/left-hand combinations are planned deliberately. If the opposition has a left-arm pacer, teams might promote a left-handed batsman to neutralize the angle.
- Impact Player Rule
Introduced in recent seasons, this rule allows teams to substitute a player mid-match, giving flexibility to stack batting orders with extra firepower.
- Field Restrictions Exploitation
Batsmen now practice specifically targeting gaps left by fielding restrictions. They know exactly where fielders can’t be positioned and aim for those areas.
The Bowlers’ Nightmare: Defending in the Powerplay
Spare a thought for the bowlers. Defending in today’s Powerplay is like defusing a bomb—one mistake, and it’s game over.
What Can Bowlers Do?
Smart bowlers use variations: slower balls, wide yorkers, bouncers, and changing angles.
But against elite batsmen, even these tactics often fail.
The best strategy is mixing up lengths unpredictably and hoping batsmen make mistakes.
Bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Rashid Khan, and Mitchell Starc succeed because they’re unpredictable and accurate under pressure.
Some captains prefer using spinners early to slow scoring rates, but aggressive batsmen now target spin bowling aggressively too.
Future of Powerplay Batting: What’s Next?
Will we see teams crossing 130-135 in Powerplays? Absolutely possible.
Emerging Trends
- Scoop shots and ramp strokes: Batsmen are developing innovative shots to counter yorkers
- Switch-hitting: More players are developing ambidextrous batting skills
- Data analytics: Deeper insights into bowler tendencies will help batsmen plan better
- Better fitness: Modern cricketers are stronger, fitter, and can generate more bat speed
The IPL highest score in powerplay will keep rising as players push boundaries and redefine what’s possible.
Memorable Powerplay Moments Beyond the Numbers
- Chris Gayle’s 175 Starts
Gayle’s record-breaking 175 against Pune began with a blistering Powerplay where he scored 52 runs. Though not the highest, it set the tone for IPL’s most destructive innings.
- Yuvraj Singh’s Six Sixes Legacy
While in a T20 World Cup, not IPL, Yuvraj’s six sixes in an over influenced IPL batting philosophy. Players realized maximum aggression was not just possible—it was repeatable.
- AB de Villiers’ 360-Degree Mastery
De Villiers revolutionized Powerplay batting by hitting balls to areas bowlers thought were safe. His innovation inspired the current generation.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Q1: What is the highest Powerplay score in IPL history?
The highest Powerplay score in IPL history is 125/0, achieved by Sunrisers Hyderabad against Delhi Capitals in 2024, with Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma batting.
- Q2: Who has scored the most runs in Powerplay in IPL by player overall?
Chris Gayle holds the record for most Powerplay runs across his IPL career, accumulating over 1,600 runs during the first six overs across multiple seasons.
- Q3: Which team consistently scores high in Powerplays?
Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2024-2025, Kolkata Knight Riders with Narine-Lynn (2017-2018), and Royal Challengers Bangalore during the Gayle-Kohli era have been the most explosive Powerplay teams.
- Q4: How important is a good Powerplay score for winning IPL matches?
Extremely important. Teams scoring 60+ in Powerplays win approximately 70% of matches, and those crossing 75 win over 85% of the time.
- Q5: Will IPL Powerplay scores keep increasing?
Yes, with better training, data analytics, innovative shots, and aggressive mindsets becoming standard, Powerplay scores will likely continue rising in future seasons.
The Final Word: Powerplay Cricket’s Thrilling Evolution
The journey from cautious 40-run Powerplays in 2008 to explosive 125-run assaults in 2024 tells the story of cricket’s evolution.
The IPL has transformed how we view T20 batting. The Powerplay is no longer about survival—it’s about domination, entertainment, and setting the stage for victory.
Every season, we witness new records, unbelievable partnerships, and batting performances that seem impossible until they happen.
Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma’s 125/0 won’t be the final chapter—someone, somewhere, is preparing to go even bigger.
For cricket fans worldwide, these explosive Powerplay innings represent everything we love about the sport: drama, skill, courage, and pure entertainment.
They remind us why we fall in love with cricket repeatedly—because every match holds the potential for something extraordinary.
So the next time you watch an IPL match, keep your eyes glued to those first six overs. Because in today’s IPL, the Powerplay isn’t just important, it’s everything.
The records will keep falling. The boundaries will keep flying. And we’ll keep watching, mesmerized by cricket’s most explosive spectacle.
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