The highest Powerplay score in IPL history is one of those records that always gets fans talking. In just six overs, a team can completely crush the opposition’s confidence and set the tone for the rest of the game.
The Powerplay, with only two fielders allowed outside the circle, gives batters the freedom to attack, and some teams have made full use of it.
Over the years, we’ve witnessed blazing starts, fearless hitting, and records that show why this phase is the most exciting part of T20 cricket.
Let’s explore it further.
What Is Powerplay in Cricket and IPL?
Source: VectorStock
Alt Text: 30-Yard Circle
If you’ve ever wondered what Powerplay in IPL or T20 cricket is, it is simply a special phase at the start of an innings where fielding restrictions are applied to give batters more scoring opportunities.
It limits the number of fielders outside the 30-yard circle to only two in the first six overs of a T20I innings. However, in ODI, this rule exists in three separate phases, but the idea remains the same.
How Many Powerplays are in IPL Matches?
It’s simple, just one, as it’s a T20 format. It lasts for the first six overs of an innings and makes it exciting for the audience.
This shorter format makes these overs even more valuable, as teams have limited time to capitalize. Openers usually attack without hesitation, while captains use strike bowlers to hunt for early wickets.
Why Powerplays Matter in Strategy
The influence of Powerplays is massive. A strong start in this period can push the total beyond reach, while losing quick wickets can derail the innings completely.
Teams like England in international cricket or Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL have shown how maximizing these six overs can make a huge difference. For fans, this period guarantees fast-paced action and boundaries that keep the game alive.
Highest Powerplay Score in IPL History
When cricket fans talk about the highest score in Powerplay in IPL, they’re referring to explosive starts that reshape a match in just six overs. Let’s dive into the all-time records and explore the top performances.
All-Time Record: Powerplay Masterclass
Source: Crictoday
Alt Text: Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head
The ultimate IPL Powerplay highest score belongs to Sunrisers Hyderabad, who smashed 125/0 against Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024. SRH were batting first and were looking to make the most out of their explosive openers.
In just five overs, SRH reached the 100-run mark, with Travis Head smashing a fifty in just 16 balls. And when the Powerplay ended, Head had accumulated 84 runs off only 26 balls, the highest individual score during this phase for SRH.
On the other end was Abhishek Sharma, who scored a total of 40 runs in 10 balls, including a flurry of sixes. They set another record for most boundaries in a Powerplay, striking 11 sixes and 13 fours.
This record also surpassed the global T20 Powerplay record previously held by Nottinghamshire (106/0). In IPL, it was held by KKR back in 2017 when they scored a blistering 105/0 against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Top 10 Highest Powerplay Scores in IPL
Here are the top 10 highest Powerplay scores in IPL:
| Team | Powerplay Score | Opponent | Year |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | 125/0 | Delhi Capitals | 2024 |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | 107/0 | Lucknow Super Giants | 2024 |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | 105/0 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 2017 |
| Chennai Super Kings | 100/2 | Punjab Kings | 2014 |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | 94/1 | Rajasthan Royals | 2025 |
| Punjab Kings | 93/1 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 2024 |
| Delhi Capitals | 92/0 | Mumbai Indians | 2024 |
| Royal Challengers Bangalore | 92/1 | Gujarat Titans | 2024 |
| Chennai Super Kings | 90/0 | Delhi Capitals | 2024 |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | 90/1 | Lucknow Super Giants | 2025 |
Why Powerplay Matters in IPL Matches
The first six overs of an IPL game decide the rhythm of the entire match. This short but high-pressure period is when strategies are tested, risks are taken, and momentum is built.
The Powerplay is not just a rule; it is a battlefield where both batting and bowling sides try to gain the upper hand. Here’s how it impacts the entire match.
1. Building Momentum from the Start
For batting teams, the Powerplay is the perfect chance to score quickly and set the tone. With only two fielders outside the 30-yard circle, gaps open up across the outfield. Openers aim to take advantage by hitting boundaries and running fast between the wickets.
A strong start can push the run rate above 10 per over. And as cricket enthusiasts, we all know the amount of pressure it puts on the opponent.
Teams like Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings have often relied on big-hitting openers to give them explosive beginnings. This way, it’s much easier to control the middle overs and make full use of them.
2. Pressuring the Opposition Bowlers
When a batter steps out and hits a bowler over their head, their psychology shifts, which makes them question their line, and bowl the wrong deliveries. To go for as few as possible, bowlers use variations like swing, slower balls, or tight yorkers to force mistakes.
Don’t forget, a few quick wickets in the Powerplay can completely change the direction of the match. For example, the Mumbai Indians have used bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult to dismiss openers early.
3. Risks of Losing Early Wickets
While aggressive batting can bring massive rewards, it comes with a big risk. Losing two or three wickets in the Powerplay can break a team’s momentum. And force them into a shell, trying to build a partnership.
Chasing teams, in particular, often struggle if they are reduced to 20/3 or 30/4 in the first six overs. This makes the Powerplay a gamble. Go hard and risk losing wickets, or play safe and risk falling behind the asking rate.
Famous Examples of Powerplay Deciders
History shows how decisive this phase can be. In 2017, Kolkata Knight Riders stunned Royal Challengers Bangalore by scoring 105 runs in the Powerplay. At that time, it was the highest Powerplay score in IPL history.
That explosive start crushed RCB’s spirit and settled the game early. Similarly, in 2024, Sunrisers Hyderabad dismantled Delhi Capitals by scoring 125/0. After this, the bowlers had no chance of recovery, as the score only went uphill from there.
On the flip side, there are also matches where there were disciplined bowling sides. For instance, the Gujarat Titans, in their debut season, used tight Powerplays to choke the opposition and win comfortably in the end because of their strong bowling lineup.
Factors Behind Big Powerplay Scores
Big Powerplay scores in the IPL never happen by accident. They are the result of a mix of bold batting, smart use of conditions, and how well the bowlers cope under pressure. Every explosive start we see has a story behind it, shaped by a few factors.
Let’s break them down.
1. Aggressive Openers
Source: Cricinfo
Alt Text: Vaibhav and Jaiswal for RR.
Nothing sets the tone better than fearless opening batters. When openers decide to attack from ball one, the opposition finds itself on the back foot. Players like Chris Gayle, David Warner, and Travis Head have shown how a blazing start can change the game within minutes.
For instance, in the record-high score of 125, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma came out swinging. Their intent forced the next batters into overdrive and sent opponent bowlers into shell shock. It looked like the field was just a moving target.
In IPL 2025, the same came from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal when they powered Rajasthan Royals to 89/1 in the Powerplay. Jaiswal alone cracked 22 runs off the very first over, setting a scorching pace.
2. Pitch and Ground Conditions
The surface and the size of the ground play a huge role in determining how many runs can be piled on during the initial six overs. On flat tracks with little movement, the ball comes nicely onto the bat, making stroke play easier.
Grounds with shorter boundaries also give batters confidence to go for their shots. The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is a great example, where teams score heavily in the first six overs. It’s because the pitch there favors batting, and the boundaries are within reach. When the conditions favor hitters, fans can expect fireworks right from the start.
3. Opponent Bowling Attack
The quality and form of the opposition bowlers also play a decisive role. If the bowling unit lacks pace upfront or doesn’t have a swing bowler to trouble the batters in the first few overs, openers take full advantage.
On the other hand, if the opposition fields a world-class new-ball pair, scoring freely becomes much tougher. A good example is how teams often struggled against Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah during the Mumbai Indians’ peak years.
But in contrast, when Delhi Capitals’ bowlers had an off day in 2017, SRH’s openers cashed in brutally to set the record for the IPL Powerplay’s highest score. One weak bowling spell in this phase can completely tilt the game.
Highest Individual Scores in IPL Powerplay
When you think of the highest powerplay score in IPL, it’s often team totals that catch the eye. But behind those massive figures lie equally breathtaking individual performances. Here’s a breakdown of the top individual Powerplay knocks:
| Player | Score | Opponent | IPL Season |
| Suresh Raina | 87 (25 balls) | PBKS | 2014 |
| Travis Head | 84 (26 balls) | DC | 2024 |
| Adam Gilchrist | 74 (25 balls) | Delhi Daredevils | 2009 |
| Ishan Kishan | 63 (22 balls) | SRH | 2021 |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 62 (23 balls) | KKR | 2023 |
| David Warner | 62 (25 balls) | KKR | 2017 |
| Moeen Ali | 59 (21 balls) | CSK | 2022 |
| Jonny Bairstow | 59 (22 balls) | PBKS | 2022 |
| Travis Head | 59 (20 balls) | MI | 2024 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | 59 (28 balls) | CSK | 2008 |
Some of the most notable contributions include:
- Travis Head (84 vs Delhi Capitals, IPL 2024): As SRH went on to post a record 125/0 in the Powerplay, Travis Head starred with a fiery 84 off 26 balls
- Ishan Kishan (63 vs SRH, IPL 2021): Kishan brought his explosive form to the Powerplay with a 63 off 22 balls, where his ability to swing the bat made the overs count.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal (62 vs KKR, IPL 2023): Young Jaiswal quietly made his mark in the Powerplay, scoring 62 off 23 balls.
Comparison with International Cricket
Source: The Quint
Alt Text: Zazai’s masterclass.
The IPL Powerplay records are breathtaking, but how do they stack up against performances in international T20 cricket? When we put them side by side, the numbers show that while the IPL has produced some of the fastest and most aggressive starts, international cricket has also seen batters rewriting records.
Internationally, Hazratullah Zazai’s 75 off 25 balls in a T20I for Afghanistan, and Alex Hales’ brutal 60+ Powerplay knocks for England, are two of the best examples.
One key difference is that IPL matches feature batting-friendly Indian pitches, where chasing or setting a high total is common. In international cricket, conditions vary widely, from seaming pitches in England to spin-friendly tracks in Asia.
IPL vs International T20 Powerplay Records
Here are a few IPL and T20 records altogether, even though the ones in the IPL are obviously in the lead:
| Format | Score | Player | Year/Match |
| IPL | 87 (25) | Suresh Raina | IPL 2014 |
| IPL | 84 (26) | Travis Head | IPL 2024 |
| T20I | 75 (25) | Hazratullah Zazai | 2019 |
| T20I | 70+ (various) | Alex Hales | Multiple innings |
| T20 World Cup | 64 (23) | Brendon McCullum | 2010 |
| T20 World Cup | 63 (25) | Chris Gayle | 2007 |
Summing Up
The Powerplay remains one of the most thrilling phases of an IPL match, where momentum is built and matches often swing dramatically. Teams that use these six overs wisely can set up the tone for the entire game.
As strategies evolve and new stars rise, the race to set the highest powerplay score in IPL will always keep cricket lovers hooked.
FAQs
1. What is the lowest powerplay score in the IPL?
The lowest Powerplay score in IPL history is 17/1 by Sunrisers Hyderabad against Mumbai Indians in 2022. They struggled against tight bowling and could not find boundaries in the first six overs.
2. What is the highest sixes in IPL powerplay?
The highest sixes record belongs to the Sunrisers Hyderabad duo of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma. Collectively, they smashed 24 boundaries, out of which 13 were sixes and 11 were fours. Abhishek scored 40 runs off 10 balls, while Head made 84 off just 26 balls.
3. Which team has the highest powerplay score in IPL 2025?
In IPL 2025, the highest Powerplay score so far is by Sunrisers Hyderabad with 94/1 against Rajasthan Royals in only six overs. It was all thanks to the energetic performance of Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head.
