Top 3 Highest Individual Scores made by an Uncapped Player in IPL History
In the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, Rajasthan Royals (RR) opener Yashasvi Jaiswal played an impressive innings of 124 against the Mumbai Indians (MI) on Sunday, April 30 during Match 42. Despite his exceptional performance, Jaiswal and his team suffered a defeat as the Mumbai Indians completed a remarkable run-chase to secure their victory. However, Jaiswal’s outstanding batting skills could not be ignored. This is not the first time an uncapped player has made headlines in the IPL through their remarkable batting performance. In this article, we will list the top three highest individual scores by an uncapped player in IPL history.
3. Shaun Marsh (Kings XI Punjab) – 115 off 69 vs Rajasthan Royals
Shaun Marsh, the sole foreign player on this list, was one of the early batting sensations of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He earned the Orange Cap in the tournament’s first edition in 2008 by scoring an impressive 616 runs in only 11 games, at a strike rate of just under 140.
During that same season, Marsh smashed his only century in the IPL, an unbeaten 115 off just 69 balls against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Mohali. Despite winning the toss and choosing to field first, RR couldn’t contain the Australian southpaw, who went on to hit seven sixes and 11 fours to help Kings XI Punjab post a massive total of 221 for 3. Even though RR had bowlers like Munaf Patel and Shane Watson in their ranks, they were unable to stop Marsh on that day. Pankaj Singh and Siddharth Trivedi were hit for 48 runs in three and four overs respectively, as Marsh displayed his brilliance with the bat. He was finally caught at midwicket off Watson’s bowling.
In pursuit of a daunting target, RR made a valiant effort but could only manage 180 for 7, falling short by 41 runs. What’s interesting is that Marsh had not yet received his national cap when he played for Kings XI in 2008. However, his exceptional performance in the first edition of the IPL earned him a spot on the Australian white-ball team’s tour to the West Indies.
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2. Paul Valthaty (Kings XI Punjab) – 120 off 63 vs Chennai Super Kings
One more KXIP batsman who appears on the list is Paul Valthaty. Despite achieving considerable success in the IPL, Valthaty failed to capitalize on his opportunities. In the 2011 IPL season, Valthaty made headlines by scoring 463 runs in 14 games with an impressive strike rate of 136.98.
Valthaty’s most outstanding performance came against MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings (CSK), where he scored a brilliant 120 runs in just 63 balls, helping Punjab successfully chase a daunting target of 189. This inning propelled him into the limelight. During his unbeaten knock, Valthaty smashed 19 fours and two maximums. The CSK bowlers, including quality players such as Ravichandran Ashwin, Tim Southee, and Scott Styris, were unable to make an impact as the match quickly slipped out of their grasp.
Punjab won the match with five balls and six wickets to spare. Valthaty’s innings overshadowed the efforts of two CSK batsmen – Murali Vijay (74 off 43) and MS Dhoni (43 off 20). Following his impressive performance in IPL 2011, Valthaty had hopes of making his international debut. Unfortunately, a wrist injury affected his form and he was unable to maintain consistency in his performances.
1. Yashasvi Jaiswal (Rajasthan Royals) – 124 off 62 vs Mumbai Indians
Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed an outstanding 124 off 62 deliveries, surpassing Paul Valthaty’s record and achieving the highest individual score ever by an uncapped player in IPL history. Rajasthan chose to bat first, and Jaiswal led the charge with his exceptional performance. Despite his opening partner Jos Buttler’s lacklustre performance, Jaiswal dominated the powerplay and put the MI pacers under immense pressure.
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Yashasvi Jaiswal never let up, even after losing partners at the other end, continuing his onslaught and hitting boundaries with ease. He hit 16 fours and eight sixes, with 112 of his 124 runs coming from boundaries, making it the first-ever IPL century where more than 90% of the runs came from boundaries.
Jaiswal’s innings was truly special, considering that the next highest individual score by a Rajasthan Royals batter on the same night was only 18 runs, scored by Buttler. Additionally, the extras conceded by the Mumbai Indians bowlers accounted for 25 runs. Jaiswal scored at a remarkable strike rate of 200 and propelled his team to a massive score of 212/7 in the first innings.
Unfortunately, Jaiswal’s incredible innings was in vain as the Mumbai Indians achieved the first-ever 200+ run-chase at the Wankhede Stadium in IPL history. Jaiswal has amassed 429 runs in nine innings in the ongoing tournament and is currently the Orange Cap holder. If he continues to score runs at this rate, it won’t be long before the 21-year-old is selected to represent India.
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