Discover Rashid Khan’s highest score in IPL—the unforgettable innings where the star spinner transformed into a fearless finisher. Explore match details, key moments, impact on Gujarat Titans, and why this knock became a defining chapter in his IPL journey.
Introduction
Rashid Khan is known across the world as the magician of modern-day spin bowling—the man with the lethal googly, the quick arm, and the nerves of steel. But every once in a while, the cricketing universe witnesses a moment that defies labels. A moment when a bowler becomes a match-winning batter. A moment when a player breaks free from expectations and creates a memory that lives forever.
For Rashid Khan, that moment came in the Indian Premier League—the world’s biggest and boldest cricket league—when he smashed his highest IPL score, turning a chase that seemed over into an unforgettable thriller. On that day, the spinner wasn’t just a bowler.
He became a finisher.
This article explores the story behind Rashid Khan’s highest IPL score, his evolution as a lower-order match-winner, and how that innings changed his reputation forever. It is a deep dive into the drama, intensity, and brilliance of Rashid as a batter—crafted with a crisp, human tone and SEO-friendly structure.
Rashid Khan’s Highest Score in IPL: Quick Snapshot
Before we break down the innings ball-by-ball and emotion-by-emotion, here’s the short highlight:
Rashid Khan’s Highest IPL Score: 79 Runs*
Team: Gujarat Titans
Opponent: Mumbai Indians
Season: IPL 2023
Strike Rate: 262+
Sixes: 10
Fours: 3
This innings is still talked about as one of the greatest knocks by a lower-order batsman in IPL history.
The Story Behind the Knock – A Finisher Is Born
The Story Behind the Knock – A Finisher Is Born
The Story Behind the Knock – A Finisher Is Born
There are innings that come from technique.
There are innings that come from planning.
But Rashid Khan’s highest IPL score came from pure heart.
Gujarat Titans were in deep trouble. Chasing a massive total set by Mumbai Indians, they had lost top-order wickets quickly. The match seemed out of reach. Even the commentators had almost written the Titans off. Fans were already considering this a one-sided encounter.
But then came Rashid Khan.
He walked to the crease with a calm face, a quiet determination in his eyes, and absolutely no fear. For him, the match wasn’t over—not yet.
The Calm Before the Storm
Rashid started slow—not because he was unsure, but because he was calculating.
- Assessing the pitch
- Reading the bowlers
- Handling the pressure
- Taking singles, rotating strike, settling into the chase
You could sense he was setting up something big.
And then… the fireworks began.
The Explosion — Rashid Unleashes His Power-Hitting
Once Rashid got his eye in, he flipped the game on its head.
He smashed the MI bowlers—some of the best in the world—with:
- Flat sixes
- Pick-up pulls
- Clean hits down the ground
- Slogs over mid-wicket
- Quick hands over extra cover
Every bowler, from fast pacers to mystery spinners, found himself under assault.
10 Sixes in This Innings
Yes, Rashid—popularly known for his googly—out-hit most top-order batters in the tournament.
This phase stunned the cricketing world.
Fans on social media erupted:
- “Is this Rashid or ABD in disguise?”
- “The best innings by a lower-order batter ever!”
- “This guy can do everything!”
Even veteran cricketers tweeted in disbelief.
The Lone Warrior — Fighting Till the Last Ball
Despite the required run rate skyrocketing, Rashid kept going.
What made this innings special was not just the number of runs—it was the fight.
He refused to give up.
- Needed 70 off 20? Rashid hit sixes.
- Needed 40 off 10? Rashid still hit sixes.
- Needed impossible? Rashid made it possible.
Though GT ultimately couldn’t cross the finish line, Rashid remained not out, carrying the team on his shoulders.
It was not just an innings.
It was a statement.
Why This Knock Was So Special
Rashid Khan’s highest score in the IPL wasn’t just another late flourish—it was a moment that flipped the script on what fans expect from a specialist spinner. His innings came in a high-pressure situation, at a time when his team desperately needed someone to stand tall and fight back. And Rashid didn’t just fight—he counter-attacked with a calmness and confidence that stunned everyone watching.
What made this knock truly unforgettable was the way Rashid handled the conditions and the bowlers. He wasn’t slogging blindly; he was reading lengths early, picking slower ones instantly, and dispatching anything loose with razor-sharp precision. His six-hitting ability—usually a bonus for a lower-order batter—suddenly became the centrepiece of a fearless chase.
The energy changed the moment Rashid arrived at the crease. Stadium noise grew louder, commentators switched tone, and even the opposition looked more cautious. He brought an unshakeable belief—a sense that the match wasn’t over as long as he was at the crease.
But the real beauty of the knock was its symbolism.
Read more: Noor Ahmad’s IPL Wicket Magic
What This Innings Means for IPL 2025–2026 Seasons
Teams now prepare for Rashid as:
- A match-winning bowler
- A game-changing batter
- A leadership figure
- A tactical asset
GT especially relies on him for:
- Finishing overs
- Accelerating in death overs
- Counterattacking when wickets fall
- Momentum shifting
Opponents know that dismissing the top order is not enough—
they must also get Rashid
1. Unpredictability
Bowlers don’t know where to bowl:
- He hits short balls
- He hits full balls
- He hits spin
- He hits pace
2. Quick Hand Speed
His bat swing is one of the fastest in the IPL.
3. Confidence
He plays with zero fear—something bowlers hate.
4. Ability to Target Gaps
Rashid doesn’t just slog.
He places the ball intelligently.
5. Power & Timing Together
Few players combine both consistently.
Sources
- ESPNcricinfo – Rashid Khan Player Profile & IPL Batting Stats
https://www.espncricinfo.com/player/rashid-khan-793463 - Cricbuzz – Rashid Khan IPL Records & Match-by-Match Performance
https://www.cricbuzz.com/profiles/12072/rashid-khan - IPL Official Website – Gujarat Titans & Player Statistics
https://www.iplt20.com/teams/gujarat-titans - Match Scorecards & Commentary
(Specific IPL match pages on Cricbuzz/ESPNcricinfo featuring Rashid’s highest score) - Analytical Reports on IPL All-Rounders
(Various cricket analysis articles from experts and publications)
FAQ
Q1. What is Rashid Khan’s highest score in the IPL?
Rashid Khan’s highest IPL score is 79 not out for Gujarat Titans.
Q2. Which team did Rashid score his highest IPL score against?
He scored it against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2023.
Q3. Is Rashid Khan considered a genuine all-rounder?
Yes. After consistent finishing roles and power-hitting performances, Rashid is now recognized as an impactful T20 all-rounder.
Q4. What makes Rashid Khan dangerous as a batter?
His quick bat swing, fearless mindset, incredible timing, and ability to hit sixes under pressure.
Q5. Does Rashid Khan bat regularly for Gujarat Titans?
He usually bats in the lower order but is promoted in crucial situations due to his power-hitting skills.
Conclusion
Rashid Khan’s highest IPL score was not merely an innings—it was a defining moment. A moment that changed how fans, teams, and analysts view him as a cricketer. From being known primarily as a world-class bowler, Rashid evolved into one of the best lower-order finishers in T20 cricket.
His fearless 79* against Mumbai Indians is now part of IPL folklore—a reminder that greatness is not limited by role or expectation. Rashid proved that when the moment demands it, a spinner can hit like a top-order star, fight like a warrior, and entertain like a superstar.
On that day, Rashid Khan didn’t just hit runs.
He hit respect.
He hit belief.
He hit greatness.
The spinner became a finisher—and the world watched in awe.
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