In April 2013, an unforgettable moment occurred in T20 Cricket. During the 31st match of the IPL 2013, Royal Challengers Bengaluru faced Pune Warriors India. Here’s what happened:
Pune Warriors won the toss and chose to bowl first, facing Chris Gayle. The West Indies batsman delivered an incredible performance, scoring 175 runs off just 66 balls, hitting 13 fours and 17 sixes. This performance remains the highest individual score in T20 cricket, even after more than a decade.
While several players have come close, none have surpassed the 175-run mark. However, a few players show promise to break this long-standing record.
Here are five cricketers who might exceed Chris Gayle’s record in T20 cricket:
5 Players Who Could Break Chris Gayle’s 175-Run Record in T20s
Abhishek Sharma (India)
Abhishek Sharma is a dynamic opener in T20 cricket, known for his aggressive batting style from the start.
In 172 T20 matches, Abhishek has scored 5,070 runs in 168 innings with a remarkable strike rate of 173.51. He has already made eight centuries in T20, showing he can build on strong starts.
His highest score so far is 148 runs, making him a strong candidate to break Gayle’s record.
Finn Allen (New Zealand)
Finn Allen is another fearless opener from New Zealand, recognized for his power hitting and quick scoring.
In 52 T20I matches, Allen has notched up 1,285 runs at a strike rate of 163.27, including two centuries. In T20 cricket overall, he has played 172 matches and scored 4,881 runs with five centuries.
His highest T20 score is 151, demonstrating his potential to challenge Gayle’s record.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi (India)
Vaibhav Suryavanshi is one of the brightest young talents in cricket. At just 14 years old, he has already impressed many with his bold batting.
In 18 T20 games, he has scored 701 runs at an average of 41.23, including three centuries. His standout performance was 144 runs in the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025.
Given his age and skill, Vaibhav could have a great chance at surpassing Gayle’s T20 mark in the future.
Nicholas Pooran (West Indies)
Nicholas Pooran is an experienced player in T20 cricket, known for his ability to accelerate his game and dominate opposing bowlers.
With 443 T20 matches under his belt, Pooran has scored 10,371 runs in 416 innings, averaging close to 40, which includes four centuries and 63 half-centuries. If he hits well early in his innings, he might well challenge Gayle’s 175-run record.
Travis Head (Australia)
Travis Head has become a consistent performer across all formats. His aggressive batting style makes him a threat in T20.
In 168 T20 matches, Head has accumulated 4,414 runs, with two centuries. He maintains a strike rate of over 150, suggesting that under the right conditions, he too could set a new record.
