Century Makers in IPL – A Complete List: The Batting Royalty of T20 Cricket
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the world’s premier T20 franchise tournament, a stage where batting brilliance shines brightest. The ultimate landmark for a batsman in this format is the century (100 runs in a single inning)—a rare feat that combines power, timing, and relentless pressure.
Over the years, the IPL has witnessed numerous scintillating hundreds, from the sheer brute force of power-hitters to the calculated aggression of batting maestros. As of the end of the latest completed season, over 100 centuries have been scored by dozens of players, yet a handful of names stand out, dominating the record books.
👑 The All-Time Century King
The record for the most centuries in IPL history is held by an icon who has been the face of one franchise since the tournament’s inception: Virat Kohli.
| Rank | Player | Centuries | IPL Teams |
| 1 | Virat Kohli | 8 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| 2 | Chris Gayle | 6 | KKR, RCB, Punjab Kings |
| 3 | Jos Buttler | 5 | MI, Rajasthan Royals, Gujarat Titans |
| 4 | KL Rahul | 4 | RCB, PBKS, SRH, Lucknow Super Giants |
| 4 | Shane Watson | 4 | Rajasthan Royals, RCB, CSK |
| 4 | David Warner | 4 | Delhi Capitals, SRH |
| 4 | Sanju Samson | 4 | Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals |
| 4 | Shubman Gill | 4 | KKR, Gujarat Titans |
Note: The number of centuries is dynamic and subject to change with every new season.
🌟 IPL’s Most Memorable Century Makers
While many players have achieved the three-figure mark, some have left an indelible legacy through their century-scoring feats:
- Virat Kohli: The only player to score more than 8,000 runs in the IPL, Kohli’s centuries often come with a blend of classic technique and ruthless modern hitting. His record-breaking tally of four hundreds in the single 2016 season remains an unmatched pinnacle of batting dominance.
- Chris Gayle: Known as the ‘Universe Boss’, Gayle’s six centuries are characterized by explosive power. He holds the record for the highest individual score in IPL history, an astonishing 175* off just 66 balls against Pune Warriors India in 2013, which also included the fastest IPL century (off 30 balls).
- Jos Buttler: The English keeper-batsman has demonstrated remarkable consistency, including scoring four centuries in the single 2022 season for the Rajasthan Royals, equalling Kohli’s feat. His ability to switch gears makes him one of the most dangerous T20 openers.
- KL Rahul: An opener with both elegance and power, Rahul holds the record for the fastest century by an Indian (off 42 balls) and consistently features among the top run-scorers, proving his value across multiple franchises.
📅 Season-by-Season Highlights: The First & The Record
The journey of IPL hundreds began with a bang and has only accelerated over time.
- The First: The inaugural century of the IPL was scored by Brendon McCullum (Kolkata Knight Riders) in the very first match of the tournament in 2008, a breathtaking 158* against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
- The First Indian: The honour of the first Indian player to score an IPL century belongs to Manish Pandey (Royal Challengers Bengaluru), who scored 114* in the 2009 edition held in South Africa.
The rising number of centuries, especially in recent seasons, reflects the evolution of T20 cricket, where higher strike rates and aggressive batting from the start are now the norm.
