Top 5 Players With Most 90 Plus Scores In The IPL Ft. Shubman Gill

Since its grand inception in 2008, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has not just been a cricket tournament; it’s become a full-blown phenomenon that seamlessly blends sport, entertainment, and raw emotion. Amidst breathtaking finishes, dramatic collapses, and superhuman fielding efforts, the most dazzling spectacles have always been the batting masterclasses — and among them, scores of 90 or more hold a special place.

These innings — often flirtations with centuries — symbolize dominance, precision, and a hunger to finish games. They show not just skill, but mental grit. Over the years, only a few players have consistently breached this mark, and a newer generation is beginning to make its mark too.

The most recent name to spark that buzz is Shubman Gill, who delivered a blistering knock of 90 runs off just 55 balls against the mighty Kolkata Knight Riders. Let’s dive deep into this innings, and then look at the legends who have made scoring 90+ a habit — the Top 5 batters with the most 90+ scores in IPL history.

Shubman Gill: The Modern Artist with a Classic Palette

On a warm April evening in Ahmedabad, Gujarat Titans’ young captain Shubman Gill walked out to bat with determination etched on his face. Facing the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders, the stakes were high, but so was Gill’s confidence.

In an innings that blended traditional cricketing elegance with modern aggression, Gill raced to 90 off 55 balls, lacing his innings with elegant cover drives, swift flicks, and powerful lofted shots. Alongside him, Sai Sudharsan chipped in with a half-century, and the duo ensured GT reached a formidable 198-run total.

The beauty of Gill’s innings was not just in the runs but the rhythm — a perfect tempo that left the bowlers helpless and the crowd in awe. While he fell just short of a century, the impact of the innings was decisive, leading Gujarat to a comprehensive win by 39 runs and elevating them to the top of the points table.

This wasn’t the first time Gill delivered such a performance, and if trends continue, it certainly won’t be the last.

But where does this stand among the greats of the IPL?

Top 5 Players With Most 90+ Scores in IPL History

Let’s now revisit the kings of near-centuries. These are the players who made a habit out of punishing bowlers and anchoring their teams’ innings — and in many cases, crossing 90 was a prelude to something magical.

5. Shane Watson – 7 Times

Matches: 145 | Runs: 3874 | Centuries: 4 | Fifties: 21
Franchises: Rajasthan Royals, RCB, CSK

Explosive, intimidating, and consistent — that was Shane Watson at his peak. A true all-rounder, Watson’s value in the IPL was immense. Whether opening the innings or anchoring the middle order, he always found ways to make an impact.

Watson’s 7 scores of 90 or more included four centuries, with his most iconic knock coming in the 2018 IPL final, where he decimated Sunrisers Hyderabad with a thunderous 117 off 57 balls, handing Chennai Super Kings their third title.

Watson wasn’t just a match-winner — he was a game-changer.

4. KL Rahul – 10 Times

Matches: 132 | Runs: 4949 | Centuries: 4 | Fifties: 39
Franchises: RCB, SRH, KXIP, LSG

If elegance could bat, it would look like KL Rahul. One of the most technically sound T20 batters, Rahul’s calm demeanor often hides his explosive potential.

With 10 scores of 90+, Rahul is tied for third on this list. His batting flexibility has made him invaluable — whether anchoring, accelerating, or finishing. He’s captained franchises like Kings XI Punjab and Lucknow Super Giants, and has often carried underperforming batting units on his shoulders.

While his critics sometimes question his strike rate, his numbers — including an average near 46 — are a testament to his consistency and class.

3. Chris Gayle – 10 Times

Matches: 142 | Runs: 4965 | Centuries: 6 | Fifties: 31
Franchises: KKR, RCB, KXIP

Few names in world cricket strike fear like Christopher Henry Gayle. Known as the Universe Boss, Gayle’s 90+ scores were often carnage-filled exhibitions of power hitting.

Among his 10 scores of 90+, the standout remains his historic 175 off 66 balls* — the highest individual score in T20 cricket — which came for RCB against Pune Warriors India in 2013.

Gayle combined brute force with unshakable confidence, often taking bowlers to the cleaners with audacious sixes. His dominance in the powerplay overs often made run chases seem too easy. Even in his late 30s, he remained a force to be reckoned with.

2. Jos Buttler – 11 Times

Matches: 100+ | Runs: 3500+ | Centuries: 6+
Franchise: Rajasthan Royals (Mainly)

At No. 2 sits England’s white-ball wizard — Jos Buttler. Known for his range and composure, Buttler has become Rajasthan Royals’ batting cornerstone in recent seasons.

Buttler’s 11 scores of 90+ have come in all sorts of scenarios — chasing huge targets, steadying collapses, or launching blistering counterattacks. A recent gem was his 97 against Delhi Capitals*, a match-winning innings that perfectly encapsulated his ability to take the game deep.

Whether it’s the scoop over fine leg or a straight six over the bowler’s head, Buttler makes T20 batting look almost effortless. If he continues at this rate, he could soon threaten the top spot on this list.

1. Virat Kohli – 13 Times

Matches: 250+ | Runs: 8326 | Centuries: 8 | Fifties: 59
Franchise: Royal Challengers Bangalore

The King reigns supreme. No surprises that Virat Kohli, arguably the greatest IPL batter ever, tops this elite list with 13 scores of 90 or more.

Kohli’s love affair with the IPL began long before he was a global superstar. In 2016, he scored four centuries in a single season — a record unlikely to be broken. But it’s his near-century knocks that speak volumes about his consistency and hunger.

Anchoring chases, absorbing pressure, and finishing strong — Kohli mastered every role. With 8326 runs, he is the all-time highest run-getter in the league and boasts two Orange Caps (2016, 2024).

Even in 2025, he continues to churn out impactful knocks, including a recent 91 against Mumbai that reminded fans of vintage Kohli.

The 90s Club: Not Just About Missed Centuries

Scoring in the 90s might seem like just-missing a personal milestone, but in a team sport like cricket, these innings are often match-defining. Most 90+ scores have come in pressure situations, and these players didn’t just accumulate runs — they turned the tide of the match.

Whether it was Kohli rescuing RCB from early losses, Buttler steering Rajasthan through tricky chases, or Watson exploding in a final — the 90s have delivered drama, thrill, and unforgettable memories.

Can Shubman Gill Join the Elites?

With his recent 90-run knock and a growing number of big innings, Shubman Gill is making a strong case for inclusion in this list in the years to come. The 2023 IPL Orange Cap winner, and now the captain of Gujarat Titans, Gill’s leadership seems to be unlocking a new dimension of his batting.

His game awareness, ability to find gaps, and calmness under pressure make him a modern-day batting artist. If he continues to score in the 90s — and converts some into hundreds — there’s little doubt he will feature on this elite list very soon.

Final Word: The Beauty of the 90s in IPL

In the high-adrenaline environment of the IPL, where every ball can shift momentum, scoring 90+ runs is an art. It requires not just talent but focus, adaptability, and courage. The players listed above have shown time and again what it takes to dominate at the highest level.

As IPL 2025 progresses, with young stars like Shubman Gill rising and veterans like Kohli still shining, the tradition of big innings lives on — thrilling fans, shifting fates, and etching new records into the glorious annals of T20 cricket.

And remember, in the IPL — the difference between 90 and 100 might be ten runs, but the legacy built on those knocks lasts forever.

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