Powerplay is crucial part of the limited overs format in cricket as it dictates which way the game is headed for a team that is setting a total or a team that is chasing target.
In T20 cricket, the powerplay is even more pivotal as the batters get only the first six overs of an innings to utilise the fielding restrictions of not more than two fielders outside the inner ring or the 30 yard cricle.
Over the years in the Indian Premier League, for the majority of the time, we have witnessed batters give explosive starts to their teams. Very rarely have seen slow starts especially when matches are played mostly on good batting wickets.
While most powerplays have seen teams post 50 plus, there have been two occasions when teams have smashed 100 or more inside the first six overs of an IPL match.
Kolkata Knight Riders currently hold the record for highest score in powerplay in IPL history, having scored 105 runs against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2017 at the batters paradise - M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
On that night, KKR who were chasing a target of 159 got off the blocks in a hurry as Sunil Narine (54 off 17 balls) and Chris Lynn (50 off 22 balls) smashed a total of 8 sixes and 11 fours in their 105-run stand off just 36 balls.
KKR had surpassed a three-year-old record held by Chennai Super Kings, who had scored 100 in the first six overs (powerplay) during IPL 2014 Qualifier 2 match against Punjab Kings at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Despite CSK losing their opener Faf du Plessis early that night, Suresh Raina, who batted at number three, smashed a 25-ball 87 to power his team to 100 in the runs chase of 227. This powerplay included 12 fours and 6 sixes, but CSK failed to cross the line.
While those two innings witnessed the highest ever powerplay scores in IPL history, there are many more innings that saw the team score over 14 runs per over, and the two most successful sides have dominated the list.
Team | Versus | Powerplay Score | Venue | Year |
Kolkata Knight Riders | Royal Challenger Bangalore | 105/0 | Bengaluru | 2017 |
Chennai Super Kings | Punjab Kings | 100/2 | Wankhede | 2014 |
Chennai Super Kings | Mumbai Indians | 90/0 | Wankhde | 2015 |
Kochi Tuskers Kerala | Rajasthan Royals | 87/2 | Indore | 2011 |
Punjab Kings | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 86/1 | Hyderabad | 2014 |
Rajasthan Royals | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 85/1 | Hyderabad | 2023 |
Mumbai Indians | Delhi Capitals | 84/0 | Wankhede | 2018 |
Deccan Chargers | Delhi Capitals | 84/1 | Centurion | 2009 |
Punjab Kings | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 83/1 | Brabourne | 2022 |
Mumbai Indians | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 83/1 | Abu Dhabi | 2021 |
Mumbai Indians | Punjab Kings | 82/1 | Indore | 2017 |
Delhi Capitals | Punjab Kings | 81/0 | Brabourne | 2022 |
Sunrisers Hyderabad | Mumbai Indians | 81/1 | Hyderabad | 2024 |
Rajasthan Royals | Chennai Super Kings | 81/1 | Abu Dhabi | 2021 |
Lucknow Super Giants | Chennai Super Kings | 80/1 | Chennai | 2023 |
Also recently in IPL 2023, Rajasthan Royals and last season debutants Lucknow Super Giants scored their highest-ever powerplay scores in their outings against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings respectively. What is the best powerplay score of the current active teams?
Team | Powerplay Score | Versus | Venue | Year |
Chennai Super Kings | 100/2 | Punjab Kings | Wankhede | 2014 |
Delhi Capitals | 81/0 | Punjab Kings | Brabourne | 2022 |
Gujarat Giants | 78/0 | Lucknow Super Giants | Ahmedabad | 2023 |
Kolkata Knight Riders | 105/0 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | Bengaluru | 2017 |
Lucknow Super Giants | 80/1 | Chennai Super Kings | Chennai | 2023 |
Mumbai Indians | 84/0 | Delhi Capitals | Wankhede | 2018 |
Punjab Kings | 86/1 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Hyderabad | 2014 |
Rajasthan Royals | 85/1 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Hyderabad | 2023 |
Royal Challengers Bangalore | 79/1 | Kochi Tuskers Kerala | Bengaluru | 2011 |
Sunrisers Hyderabad | 81/1 | Mumbai Indians | Hyderabad | 2024 |