Scoring big runs in the toughest T20 league is not everyone’s cup of tea, and for the tailender batters it is a much more difficult task. As the shorter format does not give many chances to tailander batters to bat, scoring big scores by no. 8 or below batters is a very tough challenge.
In this pericardial article, we are going to know about the tailender batters who batted at no. 8 or below and scored the highest runs in the Indian Premier League in one inning. Also, get the top 5 tailender innings who scored the most runs in the IPL inning. Some superstars of T20 cricket like Rashid Khan, Pat Cummins, Harbhajan Singh, etc. are in this unique IPL record tally. Let’s see which tailender batter scored the highest run in the inning.
Highest individual score by tailender in IPL
| No. | Name | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rashid Khan | 79* |
| 2 | Pat Cummins | 66* |
| 3 | Harbhajan Singh | 64 |
| 4 | Chris Morris | 52 |
| 5 | Harbhajan Singh | 49* |
1. Rashid Khan
The highest individual score by a tailender batter who bats at No. 8 or below is registered by Rashid Khan. The superstar from Afghanistan scored an unbeaten 79 on 39 balls, batting in the 8th position. A well-known leg spinner shines with the bat by scoring three boundaries and 10 sixes in the inning.
On May 12, 2023, at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai Suryakumar Yadav played an outstanding knock of 103 runs from 49 balls. SKY smashed 11 boundaries and six maximums in that inning, and the Mumbai Indians put a huge total of 218 runs on the board. In the response, the Gujarat Titans were struggling, and then a magical leg spinner arrived to bat, contributed with bat, and scored an unbeaten 79 runs. Unfortunately, the Gujarat Titans lost that match by 27 runs, but Rashid Khan registered the highest individual score by a tailender batter in the Indian Premier League.
2. Pat Cummins
The second-highest individual score by a tailender batter in the Indian Premier League is 66. Pat Cummins scored an unbeaten 66 against the Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on April 21, 2021.
Kolkata Knight Riders elected to field first and invited Chennai Super Kings to bat due to the special inning of Faf du Plessis‘s 95 from 60 balls and Ruturaj Gaikwad‘s 64 from 42 balls. CSK ended up at 220/3 after 20 overs. In the second innings, Kolkata Knight Riders lost the early wickets, and at number 8 Pat Cummins scored an outstanding knock of 64 with four boundaries and six maximums from just 34 balls. A special inning by an Australian all-rounder did not come in winning cause and KKR fell short by 18 runs. But that Cummins inning is one of the best innings by Tailander in the IPL.
3. Harbhajan Singh
Indian legendary spinner stands at 3rd place in the highest score in an inning by a tailander batter in the IPL list. Harbhajan Singh registered 64 runs against Kings XI Punjab in 2015 IPL season on 12 April at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
Mumbai Indians won the toss and elected to field first. King Xi Punjab made a total of 177/5 in 20 overs. Captain George Bailey scored 61 from 32 balls and Virender Sehwag played quick fier 36 from 19 balls. In the chase Mumbai Indians top order batters failed to score big runs and then the Terminator played an explosive inning of 64 runs from just 24 balls. Harbhajan smashed six maximums and five boundaries and scored with an strike rate of 266.66. Harbhajan Singh’s remarkable innings not helped Mumbai Indians to win 2 points and they lost the match by 18 runs
4. Chris Morris
South African pace bowling all-rounder scored the fourth highest score playing at number 8. Chris Morris scored unbeaten 52 against Mumbai Indians in the second innings. Delhi Daredevils lost five wickets in the powerplay while chasing 142 runs target. Morris played a handy knock of 52 from 41 balls with five boundaries and one six.
Earlier Mumbai Indians was put in to bat by Delhi Daredevils and with the help of three 20 plus scores from Jos Buttler, Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya Mumbai managed to get 142 on board. In the second innings Chris Morris’ knock did not help Delhi Daredevils to cross the line and Delhi Daredevils only manage to score 128 in 29 overs. Delhi Daredevils lost that match by 14 runs.
5. Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh second time appears in the list of highest individual score by a tailander batter. Harbhajan registered unbeaten 49 runs against Deccan Chargers in the 2010 IPL season.
Deccan Chargers won the toss and elected to field first at the DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai on 28 March, 2010. Harbhajan Singh came to bat at number 9 and played an unbelievable knock of unbeaten 49 runs from just 18 balls. Harbhajan blasted with the bat and scored 8 boundaries and two maximums. Due to Harbhajan Singh’s impactful inning at the end Mumbai Indians managed to score 172 runs from 20 overs. Harbhajan Singh’s batting miracle helped Mumbai Indians to put up a match winning total and take momentum with MI for the second innings. Deccan Chargers failed to chase Mumbai Indians target and got all-out on 131 runs. Harbhajan Singh performed with ball also and took wickets, for his match winning performance Harbhajan was awarded with player of the match trophy.
