Top 20 Players With Most Hundreds In IPL History (2026 List)

Scoring a century in the IPL is one of the hardest things in cricket. You get 120 balls as a team. There’s no time to settle in, no luxury of playing yourself in over 30 overs. You have to score at nearly a run a ball from the start and then go well beyond that to reach three figures. That’s why, across 18 IPL seasons from 2008 to 2025, only 110 centuries have been scored by 58 different batters in the entire history of the tournament.

At the top sits Virat Kohli with a record 8 IPL centuries, followed by Jos Buttler (7) and Chris Gayle (6). But the full list of centurions tells a much richer story, of openers who dominated powerplays, middle-order batters who accelerated under pressure, and overseas stars who redefined what was possible in 20 overs.

This article ranks the top 20 players with the most hundreds in IPL history, with complete stats and context for each entry.

Quick Overview: Top 20 Most Hundreds in IPL History

Before getting into the player-by-player breakdown, here’s a summary of the top 20 players.

Detailed Breakdown: Top 20 Players With The Most IPL Centuries

A detailed look at the 20 players who have dominated the Indian Premier League with the most centuries, highlighting their remarkable batting consistency, match-winning performances, and impact across seasons.

1. Virat Kohli, 8 Centuries

Virat Kohli is not just the player with the most centuries in IPL; he is the all-time leading run-scorer in the tournament’s history. What makes his record particularly remarkable is that 4 of his 8 centuries came in a single season: IPL 2016, when he amassed 973 runs, the most by any batter in any IPL season.

That 2016 campaign was the kind of run that may never be repeated. Kohli scored centuries against Gujarat Lions (109), Rising Pune Supergiant (108*), Kings XI Punjab (113), and Gujarat Lions again (100*), all in the span of about six weeks. His consistency was almost robotic.

What separates Kohli from others on this list is that he’s done it all for one franchise. He’s been with RCB since 2008. Every single one of his 8,661 IPL runs and all 8 centuries have come in the same jersey. No other player in IPL history has had that level of one-club loyalty combined with this volume of centuries.

His most recent century came in IPL 2024 against Rajasthan Royals, proving that even at 35, his hunger for landmark scores hasn’t diminished.

2. Jos Buttler, 7 Centuries

Jos Buttler’s IPL career is essentially split into two phases. His early stint with the Mumbai Indians (2016-2018) was unremarkable. Then came the Rajasthan Royals, and everything changed.

Buttler’s 2022 season was one of the greatest individual campaigns in IPL history. He smashed 4 centuries in a single edition, equalling Kohli’s 2016 record, and finished with 863 runs at a strike rate of 149.05. He scored hundreds against the Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He almost single-handedly took RR to the 2022 final.

His 7 centuries in just 119 innings give him a century-per-innings ratio that’s actually better than Kohli’s. For every 17 innings Buttler plays, he’s statistically likely to score a hundred. That’s an extraordinary conversion rate for T20 cricket.

Buttler moved to the Gujarat Titans ahead of IPL 2025 and continued to add to his tally, solidifying his position as the second-most prolific centurion in IPL history.

3. Chris Gayle, 6 Centuries

Chris Gayle’s IPL legacy can be summed up in one number: 175*. That unbeaten knock against Pune Warriors India in 2013 remains the highest individual score in T20 history, not just in the IPL. He reached his century that day off just 30 balls, which is still the fastest hundred in IPL history over a decade later.

Gayle’s 6 centuries came across stints with KKR, RCB, and KXIP/PBKS. His time at RCB from 2011 to 2017 was his most productive period in the league, during which he formed a devastating opening partnership and produced innings that made bowlers question their career choices.

The “Universe Boss” redefined what power-hitting meant in T20 cricket. Before Gayle, scoring 175 in a T20 innings was unthinkable. After him, the ceiling permanently shifted upward. Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s 35-ball century in 2025 is actually the fastest by an Indian in IPL history, surpassing Yusuf Pathan’s 37-ball record.

4. KL Rahul, 5 Centuries

KL Rahul has played for more IPL franchises than any other player in the top 10 of this list, five teams across 12 seasons. Despite that constant movement, his batting numbers have remained elite, accumulating 5,222 runs and 5 centuries.

His highest score of 132 runs* off 69 balls came against Royal Challengers Bangalore on September 24, 2020, one of the tournament’s highest individual scores at the time. Rahul has the rare ability to both anchor an innings and accelerate dramatically in the death overs. His strike rates in the final 5 overs consistently rank among the best in the league.

Across his career, Rahul has been an opener, a No. 3, and occasionally a middle-order batter, adapting to whatever role his team needed. His 5 centuries reflect that versatility, they’ve come against different opponents, on different pitches, and in different match situations.

He moved to Sunrisers Hyderabad for IPL 2025 and remains one of the most reliable run-accumulators in the competition.

5. Shubman Gill, 4 Centuries

At just 25, Shubman Gill already has 4 IPL centuries to his name. That puts him level with legends like Shane Watson and David Warner on this list, and ahead of batters like AB de Villiers and Sanju Samson.

Gill’s rise has been steep. He started at KKR as a teenager and developed into one of the most technically gifted top-order batters in Indian cricket. His move to the Gujarat Titans as captain further elevated his game, and he scored pivotal centuries that helped GT establish themselves as genuine contenders.

His batting style is a blend of classical technique and modern power. Unlike pure power-hitters who rely on muscle, Gill uses timing and placement to find gaps and then shifts gears effortlessly. His 3,866 runs in 115 innings at a healthy average and improving strike rate suggest the century tally will only grow in the years ahead.

Given his age and trajectory, Gill is the most likely active player to challenge Kohli’s record of 8 centuries.

6. Shane Watson, 4 Centuries

Shane Watson’s IPL career peaked at a moment when it mattered most: the 2018 IPL Final. Playing for Chennai Super Kings against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Watson smashed an unbeaten 117 off 57 balls to win the title. It remains one of the most iconic final performances in IPL history.

Watson was an IPL journeyman in the best sense. He started with Rajasthan Royals, winning the inaugural IPL title in 2008. He later captained RR, had a brief stint at RCB, and then found his best form at CSK under MS Dhoni’s captaincy. His 4 centuries came across different phases of his career, proving his ability to adapt.

His all-round capabilities, useful medium pace, and explosive top-order batting made him one of the most valuable players in auction history. Watson retired from all cricket after the 2020 IPL season, finishing with 3,874 runs and memories that CSK fans will cherish.

7. David Warner, 4 Centuries

David Warner is the highest run-scoring overseas batter in IPL history with 6,565 runs, and his 4 centuries are part of that dominant record. Warner’s association with SRH was the defining chapter of his IPL career; he captained them to the 2016 title, won multiple Orange Caps, and became the face of the franchise.

His highest score of 126 came during the 2017 season for SRH, an innings that demonstrated his ability to build a long innings while maintaining a scoring rate well above 140.

Warner batted in every single match he played, 184 matches, 184 innings. He was never rested, never demoted down the order, and almost never walked in after the powerplay. That consistency of role and selection made him one of the most dependable performers in the competition.

His 4 centuries might seem modest compared to his 6,500+ run tally, but that’s partly because Warner often fell in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. He has 62 half-centuries in the IPL, the third-most in history. He was often too busy winning matches to worry about personal milestones.

8. AB de Villiers, 3 Centuries

AB de Villiers might be the most talented batter to have ever played the IPL, and 3 centuries barely scratch the surface of his impact. His highest score of 133* against the Mumbai Indians in 2015 is one of the most celebrated innings in the tournament’s history, a masterclass in 360-degree batting.

ABD’s true IPL legacy lies in his strike rate (151.68 career) and his ability to produce match-winning knocks from any situation. He regularly scored 50s and 60s that were more impactful than most centuries. His partnership with Kohli at RCB was the most feared batting combination the league has ever seen.

He retired from all cricket in 2021, but his 5,162 runs and that extraordinary strike rate ensure his place among the all-time greats. Three centuries in 170 innings might seem low for a batter of his calibre, but ABD was never about personal milestones. He was about winning moments.

9. Sanju Samson, 3 Centuries

Sanju Samson is one of the most instinctive batters in IPL history. His 3 centuries have all come in typical Samson fashion: explosive starts, audacious shot-making, and an ability to take the game away from the opposition within the powerplay.

His highest score of 119 against the Punjab Kings in IPL 2021 was particularly memorable, coming in the very first match of the season. Samson nearly won the game single-handedly, falling just 4 runs short of chasing down a massive target.

Over 177 matches, Samson accumulated 4,704 runs and captained the Rajasthan Royals for several seasons. While Sanju Samson was indeed traded to CSK for IPL 2026, the trade involved Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran moving to the Rajasthan Royals. Additionally, Samson’s price was set at 18 Crores.

10. Hashim Amla, 2 Centuries

Hashim Amla’s IPL career was absurdly brief, just 16 matches across two seasons for Kings XI Punjab. And yet, he managed to score 2 centuries in those 16 innings, giving him a century-per-innings ratio that is, statistically, the best on this entire list.

The South African was already one of the greatest ODI batters of all time when he arrived in the IPL. His ability to pace an innings, rotate strike, and then accelerate translated well to T20 cricket. His unbeaten 104* was a demonstration of controlled aggression.

If Amla had played more IPL seasons, there’s every chance he’d be much higher on this list. But his brief, prolific stint is one of the most efficient century-scoring records the league has ever seen.

11. Sai Sudharsan, 2 Centuries

Sai Sudharsan has been one of the most impressive young Indian batters to emerge in recent IPL seasons. He won the Orange Cap in IPL 2025 with 759 runs in a single season. His career total currently stands at 1,793 runs, and he is now the youngest Orange Cap winner in history (23 years old when he won the Orange Cap).

What stands out about Sudharsan is his composure. He doesn’t try to muscle the ball like many modern T20 batters. Instead, he relies on clean timing, precise placement, and an excellent sense of when to accelerate. His 2 centuries in just 40 innings mark him as a future contender for much higher on this list.

At just 24, Sudharsan has time on his side. If the Gujarat Titans continue to build around him, his century tally should grow considerably over the next few seasons.

12. Ben Stokes, 2 Centuries

Ben Stokes’ IPL career never quite reached the heights his talent suggested, partly due to injuries and England commitments limiting his availability. But when he did play, he produced moments of genuine brilliance.

His unbeaten 107* for Rajasthan Royals remains one of the finest all-round IPL centuries, combining explosive hitting with tactical intelligence. His 2 centuries in 44 innings came across stints with Rising Pune Supergiant, RR, and finally CSK, where he was bought for a then-record price.

Stokes’ IPL record of 935 runs in 45 matches doesn’t fully capture his impact. Injuries and availability limited his appearances, and when fit, he was the kind of player who could turn a game with either bat or ball.

13. Heinrich Klaasen, 2 Centuries

Heinrich Klaasen’s IPL career truly took off during the 2024 and 2025 seasons with Sunrisers Hyderabad. The South African wicketkeeper-batter became one of the most destructive middle-order batters in the competition, particularly against spin.

His unbeaten 105* in IPL 2025 was one of the fastest centuries of the season and confirmed his status as a genuine match-winner in T20 cricket. Klaasen’s ability to clear any ground against any bowler, pace or spin, has made him one of the highest-valued overseas players in the IPL.

With 1,480 runs and 2 centuries in just 45 innings, Klaasen’s numbers are on a steep upward trajectory. He’s a strong candidate to add to his century tally in the seasons ahead.

14. Jonny Bairstow, 2 Centuries

Jonny Bairstow is one of the most explosive overseas openers in recent IPL history. His 2 centuries have come across stints with SRH, PBKS, and MI, with his highest score of 114 showcasing his ability to take any bowling attack apart during the powerplay.

Bairstow’s IPL career has been somewhat inconsistent. He’s had brilliant individual games interspersed with quiet stretches, which explains why 1,674 runs in 52 matches is a solid but not dominant record. However, when Bairstow connects, he’s almost impossible to contain; his power off the front foot and ability to clear the boundary over mid-wicket are world-class.

15. Yashasvi Jaiswal, 2 Centuries

Yashasvi Jaiswal has rapidly established himself as one of the most exciting young batters in world cricket, and his IPL record with Rajasthan Royals reflects that trajectory. His 2 centuries in 66 innings, including a highest score of 124, demonstrate his ability to build big innings in the T20 format.

Jaiswal’s left-handed batting combines traditional Indian elegance with modern power-hitting. He’s equally comfortable playing classical drives through the covers and clearing the ropes with brute force. His opening partnership with Vaibhav Suryavanshi in IPL 2025, including a record 166-run stand against GT, was a glimpse of what RR’s future could look like.

At 23, Jaiswal has the potential to climb significantly higher on this list in the coming years.

16. Ruturaj Gaikwad, 2 Centuries

Ruturaj Gaikwad has been CSK’s anchor at the top of the order since MS Dhoni began grooming him as a future cornerstone of the franchise. His 2 centuries in 70 innings, combined with 2,502 runs, position him as one of the most consistent young Indian batters in the IPL.

Gaikwad won the Orange Cap in 2021 with 635 runs, announcing himself as a batter capable of carrying a team’s innings over an entire season. His unbeaten 108* against SRH remains his highest IPL score, an innings of fluent timing and intelligent acceleration.

With CSK investing in him as a long-term asset, Gaikwad’s century count should continue to grow as he enters his prime years.

17. Adam Gilchrist, 2 Centuries

Adam Gilchrist was one of the original IPL superstars. The legendary Australian wicketkeeper-batter captained the Deccan Chargers to the 2009 IPL title and scored 2 centuries across his six-season IPL career.

His highest score of 109* came in the IPL’s early years when T20 cricket was still finding its feet. Gilchrist’s approach, attacking from ball one with clean hitting through the line, was ahead of its time and influenced how IPL openers would bat for years to come.

Gilchrist played 80 matches between Deccan Chargers and Kings XI Punjab, scoring 2,069 runs. For a player who helped define the culture of aggressive wicketkeeper-batting in T20 cricket, his 2 centuries are a fitting part of his legacy.

18. Virender Sehwag, 2 Centuries

Virender Sehwag brought the same fearless approach to the IPL that made him a legend in Test cricket. His 2 centuries came for Delhi Daredevils and Kings XI Punjab, with a highest score of 122, a typical Sehwag assault where he treated every delivery as a scoring opportunity.

Sehwag’s IPL career spanned the tournament’s formative years (2008-2015), a period when T20 cricket was still evolving. His attacking style was perfectly suited to the format, even though he was already in the latter stages of his international career. His 2,728 runs in 104 matches, all scored at a strike rate well above 150, made him one of the most entertaining batters in the league’s early history.

19. Murali Vijay, 2 Centuries

Murali Vijay’s IPL career is best remembered for one extraordinary innings: his 127 off 56 balls for Chennai Super Kings against Rajasthan Royals in 2010. That knock included 11 sixes, which remained the joint-record for most sixes in an IPL innings by an Indian for 15 years (until Vaibhav Suryavanshi matched it in 2025).

Vijay was a key part of CSK’s dominant run in the early IPL years, forming a solid opening partnership that gave the team a platform. His 2 centuries in 106 innings are complemented by 2,619 career runs, mostly accumulated in the first decade of the tournament.

20. Brendon McCullum, 2 Centuries

Brendon McCullum scored the very first century in IPL history. On April 18, 2008, in the tournament’s inaugural match, McCullum walked out for Kolkata Knight Riders against Royal Challengers Bangalore and smashed an unbeaten 158* off 73 balls. That innings didn’t just break records; it launched the IPL as a global spectacle.

McCullum’s 158* remains one of only two 150+ scores ever made in IPL history (alongside Gayle’s 175*). It was the innings that told the world: this tournament is going to be different.

His second century came later in his career, but McCullum’s legacy in this list is secured by that one unforgettable night in Bangalore. He played for five different franchises across 11 seasons, scoring 2,880 runs, but will forever be remembered as the man who set the tone for the entire IPL.

Key Patterns And Insights

A few notable trends emerge from the data.

Openers dominate the century list. Of the top 20, the vast majority primarily bat as openers: Kohli (No. 1/No. 3), Buttler, Gayle, KL Rahul, Warner, Gill, Watson, Amla, Jaiswal, Gaikwad, Gilchrist, Sehwag, Vijay, and McCullum all opened or batted in the top 3 for significant portions of their careers. This makes intuitive sense: openers face the most balls and have the longest runway to reach three figures.

Only 2 players have scored 4 centuries in a single IPL season. Virat Kohli achieved it in 2016, and Jos Buttler matched it in 2022. No other batter has managed more than 2 in a single season, showing just how rare sustained century-scoring is in T20 cricket.

The record for the highest IPL score still belongs to Chris Gayle. His 175* from 2013 has stood the test of time through increasingly aggressive batting eras. McCullum’s 158* from 2008 is second. No active player on this list has come close.

Younger players are climbing fast. Shubman Gill (25), Sai Sudharsan (22), Yashasvi Jaiswal (23), and Ruturaj Gaikwad (27) are all under 28 with 2-4 centuries already. They represent the next generation of centurions who could rewrite this list over the next 5-10 seasons.

Suggested Reads:

• Most Successful Captains in IPL
• IPL Winners List (2008–2026)

Conclusion: Virat Kohli Sits At The Top With A Record 8 IPL Centuries

The most hundreds in the IPL list is a who’s who of modern cricket royalty. From Kohli’s record-breaking 2016 to Gayle’s untouchable 175*, from McCullum’s history-making debut to the rise of young guns like Gill and Sudharsan, this list captures the evolution of T20 batting over nearly two decades.

What makes an IPL century truly special is its rarity. Across 18 seasons and thousands of matches, only 109 have been scored. Every single one required a batter to sustain concentration, aggression, and composure for an extended period in the most pressurised batting environment in club cricket. The 20 players above have done it more than anyone else, and that record speaks for itself.

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