In IPL, we have witnessed many remarkable and terrific innings where a player stole the show and became the nightmare of the opponent’s bowlers. Even the cameo innings with a strike rate of 300 and 350 can be a game-changer for a team. But there are significantly fewer innings where players have scored more than 50 runs and a strike of more than 260.
1. Suresh Raina (348 Strike Rate)
It is one of the most destructive innings ever having been played. It was the 2nd Qualifier match of IPL 2014, played between CSK and Kings XI Punjab. In the game, CSK won the toss and decided to bowl first. From Punjab, Virender Sehwag scored 122 runs, and Punjab set the score of 226 runs. On the other hand, CSK lost initial wickets at regular intervals, but Suresh Raina went into beast mode and overshadowed Sehwag’s innings. In the match, Suresh Raina played an unbelievable innings of 87 runs in just 25 balls with a terrific strike rate of 348. If he had gotten help from his other teammates, then CSK would have easily won that match.
2. Yusuf Pathan (327 Strike Rate)
It was the 54th match of IPL 2014, where KKR and SRH played against each other. In the game, KKR won the toss and decided to bowl first. SRH batted and scored 160 runs in 20 overs. For chasing the target of 161 runs, KKR got a good start, but they started losing their wickets at quick intervals. However, Yusuf Pathan controlled the match and played a destructive innings of 72 off 22 balls. In this magnificent inning, Yusuf Pathan had a fantastic strike rate of 327, which helped KKR to seal the victory by four wickets.
3. KL Rahul (318 Strike Rate)
In IPL 2018, KL Rahul broke the record for the fastest IPL fifty. It was the 2nd match of IPL 2018, where Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Daredevils played against each other. Delhi batted first and scored 166 runs in 20 overs. After Delhi’s batting, everyone saw KL Rahul’s destruction. In chasing, KL Rahul ruthlessly scored 51 off 16 balls, where he completed his fifty in just 14 balls, the second fastest fifty in IPL history. In this destructive inning, KL Rahul has an excellent strike of 318. As a result, Punjab chased the target and won the match by six wickets.
4. Sunil Narine (317 Strike Rate)
In IPL 2017, KKR’s skipper, Gautam Gambhir, decided to promote Sunil Narine in the opening so that Sunil Narine could maximize the powerplay overs, and RCB witnessed it in the 46th match of IPL 2017. In the game, RCB batted first and scored 158 runs. KKR could steadily achieve the target, but Sunil Narine started attacking from the first ball. In the match, Sunil Narine played an explosive inning of 54 off 17 balls and a strike rate of 317, which helped KKR chase the target in 16 overs. As a result, KKR won the match by six wickets.
5. Kieron Pollard (300 Strike Rate)
Kieron Pollard was one of the primary reasons behind the Mumbai Indians’ victory in IPL 2019, as Pollard was in dangerous form and showed the same against KKR. It was the 24th match of IPL 2019 when KKR and MI played against each other. In the game, KKR batted first and scored 174 runs in 20 overs. On the other hand, Mumbai Indians lost their first three wickets at 74 runs. After that, everyone witnessed Kieron Pollard’s show. In this match, Kieron Pollard played a dangerous inning of 51 in just 17 balls, with a strike rate of exactly 300. As a result, the Mumbai Indians won the match by six wickets.
6. Ishan Kishan (295 Strike Rate)
It was the 41st match of IPL 2018, where Mumbai Indians played against Kolkata Knight Riders. In the game, MI batted first and scored only 62 runs in 9 overs. After this, Ishan Kishan came to bat and changed the scenario of the match. Ishan Kishan scored 62 off 21 balls and smashed five fours and six sixes. With the help of his terrific inning, MI scored 210 runs in 20 overs. Along with Ishan Kishan’s superb batting, it is one of the most significant margin victories of Mumbai Indians as they won this match by 102 runs.
7. Rishab Pant (288 Strike Rate)
It was the 3rd match of IPL 2019; Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals were playing their first match of the season. In the game, Delhi batted first. From Delhi, Rishab Pant played an exceptional inning of 78 off just 27 balls in which he hit seven fours and seven sixes. As a result, Delhi Capitals scored 213 runs in 20 overs. The target was not readily achievable for Mumbai Indians, and they lost the match by 37 runs. For the brilliant innings of 78 with a strike of 288, Rishab Pant got the player of the match award.
8. Hardik Pandya (285 Strike Rate)
It was the 45th match of IPL 2020 when MI and Rajasthan Royals faced each other. MI won the toss and decided to bat first. Suryakumar Yadav and Saurabh Tiwary from the Mumbai Indians played good innings. But after both of them, Hardik Pandya played a fiery inning, which helped MI set the target of 196 runs. Hardik Pandya scored 60 off 21 in the match, hitting seven sixes with a magnificent strike rate 285. Despite Hardik’s destructive inning, MI lost the game by eight wickets.
9. Yusuf Pathan (270)
It was another match where a player scored runs with a fantastic strike rate, but still, their team lost the game, and the same happened with Yusuf Pathan. It was the 2nd match of IPL 2010, which MI and Rajasthan Royals played. MI batted first and scored 212 runs. After that, Rajasthan came to bat, and they started losing their wickets at quick intervals. Even though Yusuf Pathan scored a century in just 37 balls with a destructive strike rate of 270, Rajasthan Royals still lost the match by four runs.
10. David Miller (268)
It was the 7th match of IPL 2014, which Rajasthan and Punjab played. In the game, Rajasthan Royals batted first and scored 191 runs in 20 overs. After that, Punjab came to chase the target, but they needed a better start. After losing three wickets, David Miller came to bat and stole the show. David Miller scored 51 off 19 balls in the match with a fascinating strike rate of 268. As a result, Punjab won the match by seven wickets.
