Lhuan-dre Pretorius broke Chris Gayle's record for the highest individual score in men's T20 cricket after blazing an unbeaten 188 off just 79 balls in a T20 league match in South Africa on Saturday.
The 20-year-old Lhuan-dre Pretorius broke what was perhaps one of the most iconic records in T20 cricket which West Indies legend Chris Gayle had held for 13 long years.
Gayle's previous mark stood at 175 not out, made for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against the now-defunct Pune Warriors during the 2013 Indian Premier League season.
Playing for Titans against Knights Bloemfontein, Pretorius raced to his fifty in just 24 balls and needed only 16 more to reach his century. His 150 came off a mere 58 deliveries.
The left-handed opener, part of the Rajasthan Royals squad in the IPL, hit 15 fours and 13 sixes in his knock, which was scored at a strike rate of 237.97.
Pretorius’ 79-ball stay on the pitch also matched the record for the longest innings by balls faced in men's T20 cricket. Aaron Finch and Marcus Stoinis previously held the record jointly.
It was Pretorius' third hundred in the T20 format. His first came earlier this year in New York.
The young Proteas batter has been in fine touch this season, having scored 94 and 101 in his previous two T20I innings against Zimbabwe and Namibia in a tri-series last month.
Last year, Pretorius became the youngest South African to score a Test century, making 153 on debut against Zimbabwe.
Pretorius joined the Royals ahead of IPL 2025 and was part of the squad that reached the playoffs this year.
Overall, Pretorius has scored 2577 runs in 91 T20 matches at an average of over 30 and strike rate exceeding 150.
