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Highest Scores On Captaincy Debut For An IPL Franchise

Aakash Saini

Highest scores on captaincy debut for a franchise [Source: AP Photo]Highest scores on captaincy debut for a franchise [Source: AP Photo]

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Leading an IPL franchise for the first time is a moment to cherish for any captain. Notably, several of such captains have announced their arrivals to a new home with commanding performances, especially with the bat in hand. By seamlessly balancing strategic acumen with individual brilliance, these captains have turned their maiden outings into statements of intent.

Celebrating the legacy of some of the greatest IPL skippers, here is a look at five best batting performances put up by leaders, all while leading a respective franchise for the first time.

5. Faf du Plessis (RCB) – 88 runs vs PBKS, Mumbai 2022

Leading RCB for the first time in IPL 2022 after his near decade-long stint with CSK, legendary South African batter Faf du Plessis started off with a regal 88-run knock from just 57 balls against Punjab Kings. The explosive opening batter smeared three boundaries and seven huge sixes to bolster RCB up to a monumental 205-2 from 20 overs.

Unfortunately for Faf, RCB bowlers failed to complement his knock as Punjab Kings cruised towards an emphatic five-wicket win with an over to spare.

4. Shreyas Iyer (DC) – 93* vs KKR, Delhi 2018

Shreyas Iyer was handed over the leadership reigns of Delhi Capitals midway into the 2018 edition after spending his three initial IPL seasons with the franchise. The charismatic right-handed batter celebrated the occasion with an explosive 93* from just 40 balls against the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Iyer whacked three boundaries and 10 maximums in the process, and maintained a staggering strike rate of 232.50. His thunderous stay at the crease helped Delhi Capitals mount 219-4 from 20 overs upfront, allowing them to seal an easy 55-run win against Dinesh Karthik’s troops in Delhi.


3. Shreyas Iyer (PBKS) – 97* vs GT, Ahmedabad 2025

Less than a year after leading KKR to IPL 2024 victory, Shreyas Iyer demonstrated his aggressive intent for the Punjab Kings in his first match as captain for the new franchise. Facing Gujarat Titans at the grand Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Iyer plundered 97 unbeaten runs from just 42 balls with five sizzling boundaries and nine towering sixes.

While Shashank Singh’s final-over exploits deprived Shreyas of his maiden IPL century, the Punjab Kings still mounted a humongous 243-5 from 20 overs against the likes of Mohammed Shami, Kagiso Rabada and Rashid Khan.

2. Mayank Agarawal (PBKS) – 99* vs DC, Ahmedabad 2021

Taking over Punjab Kings’ captaincy from regular skipper KL Rahul on an interim basis, Mayank Agarawal compiled 99* from just 58 balls in match 29 of the IPL 2021 season against Delhi Capitals. Opening the innings with Prabhsimran Singh at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, the cricketer shared 52 runs with Dawid Malan to form the highest partnership of the innings.

Agarawal clattered eight boundaries and four sixes as Punjab Kings conjured 166-6 from 20 overs. Notably, the next highest score of the innings after the skipper’s 99* marke just the mere 26-run effort at a near run-a-ball from Malan.

1. Sanju Samson (RR) – 119 vs PBKS, Wankhede 2021

In his first match as Rajasthan Royals captain, Sanju Samson nearly crashed Punjab Kings’ party at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai at the start of the IPL 2021 season. The blistering top-order batter smeared 12 boundaries and seven huge sixes to club 119 runs off just 63 deliveries. The innings remains the lone century in IPL history by any cricketer on his captaincy debut for a franchise.

Through Samson’s 119-run knock, the Royals reached within the cusp of pulling off a sensational 222-run heist against Punjab Kings, only to fall short by mere four runs. Nonetheless, the attacking wicketkeeper-batter won the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his run-chase efforts.