AB de Villiers is one of the most destructive batters to have ever played in the IPL. Playing all 184 of his IPL matches, he scored 5162 runs at an average of 39.70 and a breathtaking strike rate of 151.68.
His highest IPL score is 133* off just 59 balls against the Mumbai Indians in 2015, followed by another explosive century of 129* (52) against the Gujarat Giants.
Known for his 360-degree hitting, ABD could clear any boundary from any angle against any bowler.
In his storied RCB career, de Villiers scored 3 centuries and 38 fifties, with his IPL hundreds coming in three different seasons.
Top 10 AB de Villiers’ Highest IPL Scores
Out of his top 10 innings, only once came in losing cause. Here is a full list of AB de Villiers’ top 10 highest IPL scores.
| Rank | Score | Strike Rate | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 133* (59) | 225.4 | Mumbai Indians | RCB won |
| 2 | 129* (52) | 248.1 | Gujarat Lions | RCB won |
| 3 | 105* (54) | 194.4 | Chennai Super Kings | DC won |
| 4 | 90* (39) | 230.8 | Delhi Capitals | RCB won |
| 5 | 89* (41) | 217.1 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | RCB won |
| 6 | 89 (46) | 193.5 | Kings XI Punjab | RCB lost |
| 7 | 82 (44) | 186.4 | Kings XI Punjab | RCB won |
| 8 | 76 (34) | 223.5 | Kolkata Knight Riders | RCB won |
| 9 | 73 (33) | 221.2 | Kolkata Knight Riders | RCB won |
| 10 | 54 (40) | 135 | Kochi Tuskers Kerala | RCB won |
1. 133* (59) vs Mumbai Indians, IPL 2015
AB de Villiers played one of the greatest T20 innings of all time at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. He scored an unbeaten 133 off just 59 balls against the Mumbai Indians, registering a strike rate of 225.42.
Along with AB de Villiers, Virat Kohli scored 82* in 50 balls and dismantled the MI bowlers with an unbeaten partnership of 215. His innings powered Royal Challengers Bangalore to a massive total OF 235/1. RCB won the match by 39 runs by restricting MI at 196/7.
2. 129* (52) vs Gujarat Lions, IPL 2016
In the iconic IPL 2016 season, AB de Villiers produced another all-time great knock, an unbeaten 129 off just 52 balls against Gujarat Lions. He struck 10 fours and 12 sixes.
This innings came alongside Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 109 off 55 balls, and together the two built a record 229-run partnership, the highest ever partnership in IPL. RCB posted 248/3 and skittled the Gujarat Lions for just 104, winning by a massive 144 runs.
3. 105* (54) vs Chennai Super Kings, IPL 2009
In the 9th match of IPL 2009, AB de Villiers announced himself to the IPL world with an explosive, unbeaten 105 off 54 balls against Chennai Super Kings. He hit 5 fours and 6 sixes in a remarkable display of clean hitting.
The innings came while he was playing for Delhi Capitals, making it the only century in his top 10 not scored in RCB colors. In this inning, DC scored 189/5, restricted Chennai Super Kings to 180/9, and won the match by 9 runs.
4. 90* (39) vs Delhi Capitals, IPL 2018
AB de Villiers was at his most explosive against Delhi Capitals in 2018, blasting an unbeaten 90 off just 39 balls, a strike rate of 230.77.
He hit 10 fours and 5 sixes in an innings that barely gave the Delhi bowlers time to think. In the first inning, DC scored 174/5 with the help of Shreyas Iyer’s 52 off 31 and Rishabh Pant’s 85 off 48 balls.
But AB de Villiers’ knock helped RCB post a challenging total, and they won the match convincingly by 6 wickets.
5. 89* (41) vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, IPL 2014
In the 24th match of IPL 2014, AB de Villiers smashed an unbeaten 89 off 41 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad at a strike rate of 217.07. He hammered 6 fours and 8 sixes in a calculated innings, in which no other batsman scored more than 25 runs.
The knock propelled SRH’s 155/6, and they chased down the target to win by 4 wickets. This innings was a perfect example of ABD’s ability to accelerate rapidly and change the tempo of a game at will.
6. 89 (46) vs Kings XI Punjab, IPL 2017
Not all of AB de Villiers’s great innings ended in victories. Against Kings XI Punjab in 2017, he scored a brilliant 89 off 46 balls, hitting 3 fours and 9 sixes. None of the other RCB batters supported him, as the 2nd highest scorer was Mandeep Singh, who scored 28 runs in 34 balls. RCB could score only 1448/4 and lost the match by 8 wickets.
His strike rate of 193.47 and aggressive six-hitting showed his intent, but Hashim Amla’s 58 off 38 balls and Glenn Maxwell’s 43 off 22 helped KXIP chase the target in 14.3 overs.
7. 82 (44) vs Kings XI Punjab, IPL 2019
At the number 7, AB de Villiers scored a vital 82 off 44 balls against Kings XI Punjab in 2019, smashing 3 fours and 7 sixes at a strike rate of 186.36. In a season where RCB struggled for consistency, de Villiers was once again their backbone.
His innings helped RCB to end their inning at an above-par score of 202/4 and secure a much-needed 17-run win as their bowlers restricted KXIP to 185/7.
8. 76 (34) vs Kolkata Knight Riders, IPL 2021
In his last IPL season, AB de Villiers showed he had lost none of his explosive quality. He smashed 76 off just 34 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders, striking 9 fours and 3 sixes at a breathtaking strike rate of 223.52. Along with him, Glenn Maxwell assisted with 78 runs in 49 balls and reached the score at 204/4.
The innings powered RCB to a 38-run victory over KKR, who finished their inning at 166/8.
9. 73 (33) vs Kolkata Knight Riders, IPL 2020
AB de Villiers continued his love affair against Kolkata Knight Riders, smashing 73 off 33 balls in the 2020 IPL, played in the UAE. With 5 fours and 6 sixes, he finished at a strike rate of 221.21 in another devastating cameo.
RCB won the match by 82 runs, one of their biggest victories of the season. De Villiers’ knock set the tone for a dominant team performance that left KKR with no chance of mounting a chase.
10. 54* (40) vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala, IPL 2011
At the number 10, he had an important inning of 54* off 40 balls against Kochi Tuskers Kerala in 2011. While it lacked the fireworks of his higher scores, de Villiers still contributed meaningfully with 1 four and 5 sixes, anchoring RCB to a 6-wicket win.
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Conclusion: AB de Villiers’ Highest IPL Score Is 133*
AB de Villiers is simply one of the greatest batters the IPL has ever produced.
His highest IPL score of 133* against the Mumbai Indians in 2015 stands as one of the finest T20 innings ever played. Out of his top 10 innings, 3 are centuries, and 9 are above 70, showing remarkable consistency at the top end of his scoring. RCB fans will forever regard AB de Villiers as irreplaceable.
