The IPL Final is cricket’s ultimate pressure cooker.
For the finalists, it is a game where one bad shot or one missed catch can undo two months of hard work.
It is a stage where legends are minted, and potential is either realized or stifled.
While many finals are low-scoring, defensive affairs, there have been rare instances where a single batsman decided to rewrite the narrative.
They didn’t just play; they dominated the biggest stage in franchise T20 cricket.
These performances aren’t just about the run count—they represent the highest level of composure, timing, and aggression.
Highest Individual Scores in IPL Finals
Here are the five highest individual scores in IPL Finals that have defined the tournament’s history.
The 5 Highest Individual Scores in IPL Finals
1. Shane Watson (CSK) – 117 off 57 Balls (2018)
When it comes to the highest individual score in IPL history by an Overseas batsman in a final, Shane Watson stands alone.
The 2018 final against Sunrisers Hyderabad began with a surreal start: Watson, usually an aggressor, couldn’t put bat to ball.
He played out a maiden over against Bhuvneshwar Kumar, staring at ten scoreless deliveries. Most players would panic; Watson simply recalibrated.
Once he found his rhythm, he was unstoppable. He tore into the SRH bowling attack, scoring 74 runs off just 27 deliveries against the middle-order bowlers.
His 117 off 57 balls remains the gold standard for final-match innings—a masterclass in mental fortitude.
2. Wriddhiman Saha (KXIP) – 115* off 55 Balls (2014)
The highest individual score in IPL history by an Indian batsman in a final belongs to Wriddhiman Saha.
In the 2014 final, Kings XI Punjab found themselves reeling at 30/2 against Kolkata Knight Riders.
Saha, often known for his technique rather than raw power, played the innings of his life.
He dominated a 129-run partnership with Manan Vohra, finding the boundary with surgical precision.
His unbeaten 115 off 55 balls included eight sixes and ten fours.
Despite his heroic efforts, setting a daunting target of 199, KKR chased it down in a thriller.
Nevertheless, Saha’s knock remains one of the most sublime individual efforts in a losing cause.
3. Sai Sudharsan (GT) – 96 off 46 Balls (2023)
In the 2023 final against Chennai Super Kings, Sai Sudharsan proved that the bright lights of the final don’t intimidate the new generation.
At just 21, Sudharsan walked out to bat and played with the confidence of a veteran.
His 96 off 46 balls was a lesson in placement and timing.
He didn’t just swing blindly; he picked his moments, finding gaps against world-class spinners and pacers alike.
He fell just four runs short of a century, but his 96 was the engine of the Gujarat Titans’ massive total.
While the result didn’t go his team’s way, that innings solidified his place as one of the most exciting young prospects in Indian cricket.
4. Murali Vijay (CSK) – 95 off 52 Balls (2011)
Chennai Super Kings have a history of producing big-match winners, and Murali Vijay in 2011 was the perfect example.
Facing RCB in their own backyard in Chennai, the pressure was immense.
Vijay took the attack to the opposition from the start.
His 95 off 52 balls was a display of pure timing. Alongside Mike Hussey, he dismantled the RCB bowling attack to set an imposing target of 206.
It was a fearless, clean-hitting performance that allowed CSK to defend their title with ease.
For years, this stood as the benchmark for openers in high-stakes matches.
5. Manish Pandey (KKR) – 94 off 50 Balls (2014)
Few players have stepped up for their team quite like Manish Pandey did in the 2014 final.
Following Saha’s century earlier in the same match, KKR needed a special response to chase down 200.
Pandey provided exactly that. He played a high-tempo innings that never allowed the required run rate to creep up.
His 94 off 50 balls was the anchor that kept KKR’s chase alive against a quality KXIP bowling unit.
Pandey missed out on a century, but he secured the trophy.
It remains the fifth-highest score in a final and one of the most vital innings in KKR’s championship history.
A Summary of Batting Dominance
To put these innings into perspective, they all share a common thread: none of these batsmen were content with “getting their eye in.”
They understood that in an IPL Final, waiting for the perfect ball isn’t an option.
They forced the issue, pressured the bowlers, and dictated the tempo of the game.
| Player | Team | Season | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shane Watson | CSK | 2018 | 117 |
| Wriddhiman Saha | KXIP | 2014 | 115* |
| Sai Sudharsan | GT | 2023 | 96 |
| Murali Vijay | CSK | 2011 | 95 |
| Manish Pandey | KKR | 2014 | 94 |
FAQs
- Who holds the record for the highest individual score in an IPL Final?
Shane Watson holds this record, scoring 117 runs for the Chennai Super Kings in the 2018 IPL Final against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
- Which Indian batsman has scored the most runs in an IPL Final?
Wriddhiman Saha holds the record for the highest individual score in an IPL Final by an Indian batsman, with his unbeaten 115 for Kings XI Punjab in 2014.
- Have there been any centuries scored in an IPL Final?
Yes, there have been two. Shane Watson scored 117 in 2018, and Wriddhiman Saha scored an unbeaten 115 in 2014.
- Is the highest individual score in an IPL Final always a winning performance?
Not always. While Shane Watson’s 117 and Murali Vijay’s 95 resulted in victories, Wriddhiman Saha’s 115 and Sai Sudharsan’s 96 came in matches where their teams finished as runners-up.
- What makes these individual scores stand out?
These innings stand out because they were played in a Final. Unlike league matches, the Final carries the weight of a title, making these scores high-pressure performances rather than just statistical anomalies.
Conclusion:
These five performances serve as a reminder of what the IPL is all about: individual brilliance thriving under extreme team pressure.
Whether it was the raw aggression of Shane Watson or the calculated construction of Wriddhiman Saha, these players proved that records are meant to be broken when the stakes are highest.
The next time an IPL Final rolls around, watch the openers closely.
History suggests that a single, fearless performance can change the fate of the trophy.
Also Check:
- Lowest IPL Totals of All 10 Teams
- Bowlers With the Most No Balls in IPL History
- List of Batters to Hit First Ball 6 on IPL Debut
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