The bugle for IPL 2026 has sounded. The BCCI has released the schedule for the first 16 days, comprising 20 matches. The 19th season is set to begin on March 28. The opening match of the upcoming season will be played between Royal Challengers Bengaluru—who ended their title drought last season—and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
IPL 2026: 10 Most Favorite IPL Innings of All Time
Brendon McCullum's Century—
The IPL began in 2008. In the very first match of the inaugural season, the Kolkata Knight Riders—led by Sourav Ganguly—faced off against Rahul Dravid's Royal Challengers Bangalore. Fans and cricketers were just beginning to grasp the true essence of the IPL when New Zealand's explosive batsman, Brendon McCullum, took the opening match by storm. Batting at a staggering strike rate of 216.44, he smashed an unbeaten 158 runs off just 73 balls. During this innings, he struck 10 fours and 13 sixes. This innings from the first season remains fresh in the minds of fans to this day.
Chris Gayle 175 –
The formidable West Indies batsman, Chris Gayle, created a sensation in the 2013 IPL season with just a single innings. Playing as an opener for RCB, he smashed 175 runs off just 66 balls against the Pune Warriors. In this innings, Gayle struck 13 fours along with 17 sixes. This remains the highest individual score ever recorded by a batsman in a single IPL innings.
Virender Sehwag's Innings:
In the second Qualifier match of IPL 2014, Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) faced off against Chennai Super Kings. Winning this match was absolutely crucial for both teams to secure their spot in the final. Batting first for Punjab, Virender Sehwag unleashed a blistering assault the moment he stepped onto the crease. He scored 122 runs off just 58 balls, an innings that included 12 fours and 8 sixes.
Suresh Raina's Innings:
In the second Qualifier match of IPL 2014, following Sehwag's explosive onslaught, Suresh Raina launched a counter-attack. Punjab had set a target of 227 runs for Chennai Super Kings. After a shaky start, Raina—who came out to bat at number 4—joined forces with Dhoni to accelerate Chennai's scoring rate. Given the aggressive manner in which Raina was batting, it appeared as though Chennai would win the match with ease.
He scored 87 runs off just 24 balls, an innings featuring 12 fours and 6 sixes. He was batting at a phenomenal strike rate of 350. However, Raina's innings met with an unfortunate end when he was run out. Ultimately, Chennai lost the match by 24 runs.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni's Innings:
In IPL 2016, Rising Pune Supergiants captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni proved exactly why he is regarded as the 'Ultimate Finisher.' In the final over of the match against Kings XI Punjab—bowled by Axar Patel—Dhoni scored 23 runs to seal the victory. With just 12 runs required off the last two balls, Dhoni smashed both deliveries across the boundary to guide his team to a memorable win.
Shane Watson's Injury (2019):
The final match of IPL 2019 transcended all boundaries of excitement and drama. Spanning a full 40 overs, the outcome of this match was decided on the very last ball. The Mumbai Indians defeated the Chennai Super Kings by a mere one run. During the match, Shane Watson sustained a knee injury that left him bleeding. He suffered this injury while diving during a fielding effort. Ignoring the pain, he played a magnificent innings of 80 runs off 59 balls. After the match, he required six stitches on his leg.
Virat Kohli's Finger Injury (2016):
During the 2016 IPL season, while fielding against the Kolkata Knight Riders, RCB captain Virat Kohli suffered a deep cut to the skin between the fingers of his left hand. Consequently, Virat Kohli required nine stitches. Following this incident, Kohli played an innings of 113 runs off 50 balls, leading his team to victory. In this season alone, Virat scored four centuries.
Dhoni Lifts Jadeja in His Arms:
The final of the 2023 IPL remains fresh in the minds of every Chennai Super Kings fan to this day. With just two balls remaining, Chennai needed 10 runs to win. Ravindra Jadeja was on strike. On the fifth ball of Mohit Sharma's over, he smashed a six over long-on. By hitting a four on the final ball, he secured CSK's fifth IPL trophy. Immediately afterward, amidst the celebrations, Dhoni lifted Jadeja into his arms.
Rinku's 5 Sixes (2023):
The 13th match of the 2023 IPL was being played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. In the final over, the Gujarat Titans required 29 runs to win. In this over bowled by Yash Dayal, Rinku Singh smashed five consecutive sixes—an extraordinary feat that turned him into an overnight star.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi's Century –
During the auction held prior to the 2025 IPL season, the Rajasthan Royals stunned everyone by acquiring Vaibhav for a hefty sum of ₹1.10 crore. Following an injury to Sanju Samson, RR fielded this 14-year-old batsman. Vaibhav, in turn, vindicated this decision by the Rajasthan management. Against the Gujarat Titans, Vaibhav etched his name in history by scoring a century in just 35 balls.
