Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) holds a remarkable place in IPL history for its explosive batting performances. For 11 years, RCB’s score of 263/5 against Pune Warriors India in 2013 remained the highest total in the tournament.
The innings were powered by an unforgettable knock from Chris Gayle, who smashed 175 off 66 balls*, supported by AB de Villiers and Tillakaratne Dilshan.
However, in 2024, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) finally broke this record, scoring a massive 287 while playing against RCB.
This blog closely examines RCB’s highest scores in IPL history, the key players behind these performances, and how they shaped the team’s legacy.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Highest Score In IPL List
In the table below, I’ve shared the top 10 highest scores by RCB in IPL:
| Score | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 263/5 | v Warriors | Bengaluru | 23 Apr 2013 |
| 262/7 | v SRH | Bengaluru | 15 Apr 2024 |
| 248/3 | v Guj Lions | Bengaluru | 14 May 2016 |
| 241/7 | v Punjab Kings | Dharamsala | 9 May 2024 |
| 235/1 | v MI | Wankhede | 10 May 2015 |
| 227/4 | v SRH | Bengaluru | 12 Apr 2016 |
| 226/3 | v PBKS | Bengaluru | 6 May 2015 |
| 221 | v KKR | Eden Gardens | 21 Apr 2024 |
| 218/6 | v SRH | Bengaluru | 17 May 2018 |
| 218/8 | v CSK | Bengaluru | 17 Apr 2023 |
Now that you know all the top 10 highest scores by RCB, let’s see each match in detail:
1. RCB vs Pune Warriors India (2013)
- Score – 263/5
- Date – 23 April 2013
- Venue – M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru
On April 23, 2013, at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) set a monumental record in the Indian Premier League (IPL) by achieving the highest team score of 263/5 against the Pune Warriors India (PWI).
The star of the match was undoubtedly Chris Gayle, who delivered an unbeaten 175 runs off just 66 balls—a record-breaking individual score in T20 cricket. His explosive innings included 13 fours and 17 sixes, propelling RCB to their massive total.
Other notable contributions came from Tillakaratne Dilshan, who scored 33 runs off 36 balls, and AB de Villiers, who added a quickfire 31 off 8 deliveries. Collectively, RCB’s innings featured a staggering 21 sixes and 24 fours.
In response, Pune Warriors India struggled to build momentum and managed to score only 133/9 in their 20 overs. Steven Smith was the top scorer for PWI with 41 runs off 31 balls.
RCB’s bowlers, including Gayle, who took 2 wickets for 5 runs in one over, ensured a comprehensive victory. RCB won the match by a commanding margin of 130 runs.
2. RCB vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (2024)
- Score – 262/7
- Date – 15 April 2024
- Venue – M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru
In the 2024 IPL season, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) faced the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in a high-scoring match on April 15 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
SRH set a formidable target, posting a record-breaking 287/3 in their 20 overs, with Travis Head leading the charge with a blistering 102 off 41 balls, including 10 sixes and 7 fours. Heinrich Klaasen also made a significant contribution, scoring 67 off 31 balls.
In response, RCB fought, with Dinesh Karthik scoring 83 off 35 balls and Faf du Plessis adding 62 off 28 balls. Despite their efforts, RCB fell short, finishing at 262/7, resulting in a 25-run victory for SRH.
The match featured 549 runs, the highest match aggregate in T20 history.
3. RCB vs Gujarat Lions (2016)
- Score – 248/3
- Date – 14 May 2016
- Venue – M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru
On May 14, 2016, at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) delivered a stunning performance against the Gujarat Lions.
RCB posted a massive total of 248/3, thanks to centuries from AB de Villiers (129* off 52 balls) and Virat Kohli (109 off 55 balls), who together forged a 229-run partnership—the highest for any wicket in T20 cricket at that time.
Their innings featured a flurry of boundaries: de Villiers struck 10 fours and 12 sixes, while Kohli added 5 fours and 8 sixes. In response, the Gujarat Lions were bowled out for 104 in 18.4 overs, leading to a commanding 144-run victory for RCB.
4. RCB vs Punjab Kings (2024)
- Score – 241/7
- Date – 9 May 2024
- Venue – At Dharamsala,
In the 58th match of the IPL 2024 season on May 9, 2024, at Dharamsala, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) set a formidable total of 241/7 against the Punjab Kings (PBKS).
Virat Kohli was the standout performer, scoring a blistering 92 runs off 47 balls, including 11 fours and 4 sixes.
Other notable contributions came from Glenn Maxwell, with 68 runs off 36 balls, and Faf du Plessis, adding 45 runs off 25 balls. In response, PBKS managed 181 runs, with Shikhar Dhawan top-scoring at 45 runs off 37 balls.
RCB’s bowlers, led by Mohammed Siraj’s 2/26 and Glenn Maxwell’s 2/29, secured a 60-run victory.
5. RCB vs Mumbai Indians (2015)
- Score – 235/1
- Date – 10 May 2015
- Venue – Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium
On May 10, 2015, at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) delivered a stellar performance against the Mumbai Indians (MI). Batting first, RCB posted a total of 235/1 in their 20 overs.
This remarkable score was anchored by AB de Villiers, who played an unbeaten knock of 133 runs off just 59 balls, including 19 fours and 4 sixes.
He was well-supported by Virat Kohli, who remained not out at 82 runs from 50 balls, hitting 6 fours and 4 sixes.
Their partnership set a formidable target for MI. In response, MI managed to score 196/7, falling short by 39 runs, handing RCB a convincing victory.
6. RCB vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (2016)
- Score – 227/4
- Date – 29 May 2016
- Venue – Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru
On May 29, 2016, at the M. At Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) faced the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL final.
SRH batted first, posting a formidable total of 208/7, with skipper David Warner leading the charge with a brisk 69 off 38 balls. RCB’s chase began explosively, thanks to Chris Gayle’s 76 off 38 balls and Virat Kohli’s 54 off 35.
However, despite their efforts, RCB fell short, finishing at 227/4, handing SRH an 8-run victory. In terms of boundaries, RCB’s innings featured numerous fours and sixes, with Gayle and Kohli being the primary contributors.
7. RCB vs Kings XI Punjab (2015)
- Score -226/3
- Date – 6 May 2015
- Venue – Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru
On May 6, 2015, at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) delivered a stellar performance against Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
RCB set a formidable total of 226/3, with Chris Gayle stealing the spotlight by smashing 117 runs off just 57 balls, including 7 fours and 12 sixes.
Skipper Virat Kohli contributed 32 runs, while AB de Villiers added a quick 47 off 24 balls.
In response, Kings XI Punjab struggled against RCB’s bowling attack and were bowled out for 88 runs in 13.4 overs, resulting in a massive 138-run victory for RCB.
This match is remembered for Gayle’s explosive batting and RCB’s dominant all-round display.
8. RCB vs Kolkata Knight Riders (2024)
- Score – 221
- Date – 21 April 2024
- Venue – Eden Gardens, Kolkata
In the 36th match of IPL 2024 on April 21 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, RCB faced KKR in a thrilling, high-scoring game. KKR set a formidable target with 222/6, highlighted by Shreyas Iyer’s 50 off 36 balls and Phil Salt’s explosive 48 off just 14 deliveries.
RCB’s chase was spirited, with Will Jacks scoring 55 from 32 balls and Rajat Patidar adding a quick 52 off 23 balls.
Despite their efforts, RCB fell agonizingly short, finishing at 221 all out, handing KKR a narrow 1-run victory. The match featured a flurry of boundaries, with KKR hitting 22 fours and 14 sixes, while RCB managed 20 fours and 15 sixes.
Andre Russell’s all-round performance, scoring an unbeaten 27 off 20 balls and taking 3 wickets for 25 runs, earned him the Player of the Match award.
9. RCB vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (2018)
- Score – 218/6
- Date – 17 May 2018
- Venue – M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
In the thrilling IPL match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on May 17, 2018, at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, RCB posted a formidable total of 218/6.
This impressive score was largely due to stellar performances by AB de Villiers, who scored 69 runs off 39 balls, and Moeen Ali, who contributed 65 runs off 34 balls.
Their innings included a flurry of boundaries, with de Villiers hitting 12 fours and 1 six and Ali smashing 2 fours and 6 sixes. In response, SRH fought valiantly, with Kane Williamson scoring a rapid 81 off 42 balls and Manish Pandey remaining unbeaten on 62 off 38 balls.
Despite their efforts, SRH fell short, finishing at 204/3, and RCB secured a 14-run victory.
10. RCB vs Chennai Super Kings (2023)
- Score – 226/6
- Date – 17 April 2023
- Venue – M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru
In the high-scoring IPL match on April 17, 2023, at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) set a formidable total of 226/6 against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The standout performance came from Devon Conway, who scored 83 runs off 45 balls, including six fours and six sixes.
Shivam Dube also made a significant contribution with 52 runs off 27 balls, hitting two fours and five sixes.
In response, RCB fought valiantly but fell short, finishing at 218/8. Glenn Maxwell played a blistering inning, scoring 76 runs off 36 balls, with three fours and eight sixes. Captain Faf du Plessis added 62 runs off 33 balls, including five fours and four sixes.
Despite their efforts, RCB couldn’t surpass CSK’s total, resulting in an 8-run victory for CSK. The match featured a total of 33 sixes, highlighting the batting dominance on both sides.
Key Players Contributing To Highest Scores In IPL?
Here are the top 5 players who have contributed to RCB’s highest scores in IPL history.
- Chris Gayle: Known for his explosive batting, Gayle played a record-breaking knock of 175 off 66 balls* against Pune Warriors in 2013, hitting 17 sixes.
- AB de Villiers: A 360-degree batter, de Villiers’ power-hitting and innovative shots helped RCB post massive scores, including a 129 off 52 balls* against the Gujarat Lions in 2016.
- Virat Kohli: The run machine’s consistency and ability to accelerate in the death overs were key, including his 109 off 55 balls against Gujarat Lions in 2016.
- Faf du Plessis: With a blend of timing and power, du Plessis’s 96 off 64 balls against Lucknow Super Giants in 2023 was crucial in setting a high total.
- Glenn Maxwell: Known for his unorthodox and aggressive stroke play, Maxwell’s 76 off 36 balls against CSK in 2023 showcased his big-hitting prowess.
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Conclusion: The Highest Score By RCB Is 263/5
RCB’s highest score in IPL history is 263/5, achieved against Pune Warriors India in 2013. This iconic performance was powered by Chris Gayle, who scored a record-breaking 175 off 66 balls*, along with key contributions from AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli.
As the 2025 IPL season approaches, fans are eager to see if RCB can break their record and finally make it to the playoffs and finals, chasing their dream of winning the IPL title.
