Lhuan-dre Pretorius 188*: Chris Gayle's T20 Record Finally Falls! 🔥🏏
Chris Gayle's legendary T20 record has finally fallen. Lhuan-dre Pretorius produced a staggering unbeaten 188 off 79 balls for Titans against Knights in the CSA T20 Challenge, setting a new benchmark for the highest individual score in men's T20 cricket.
188* Off 79: A New T20 Record
Pretorius walked in and transformed the innings into a one-man batting explosion. The 21-year-old South African left-hander smashed 15 fours and 13 sixes on his way to 188 not out.
His strike rate was an extraordinary 237.97, and he came within just 12 runs of becoming the first batter to score 200 in a men's T20 innings.
Gayle's 13-Year Record Is Gone
Chris Gayle had held the men's T20 individual scoring record since April 2013, when he smashed an unbeaten 175 off 66 balls for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors in the IPL.
That innings became one of the defining performances of the T20 era. For more than 13 years, nobody had gone past Gayle's 175. Pretorius has now pushed the record to 188.
| Batter | Score | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Lhuan-dre Pretorius | 188* | Titans |
| Chris Gayle | 175* | Royal Challengers Bangalore |
| Aaron Finch | 172 | Australia |
Pretorius Was In Another Gear
The progression of the innings tells the story. Pretorius reached his 50 from 24 balls, then needed only another 16 deliveries to reach his century.
The acceleration continued. He brought up 150 from just 58 balls before finishing on 188 not out from 79.
Titans Post 267/3
Pretorius' record-breaking assault powered Titans to 267/3, the second-highest team total in CSA T20 Challenge history.
The Knights then struggled in the chase and were bowled out for 143, giving Titans a massive 124-run victory.
Only 12 Runs Short of a Double Century
Perhaps the most astonishing part of the innings is what Pretorius almost achieved.
He finished on 188 not out — just 12 runs short of 200. With only 20 overs available, the record was already extraordinary, but a double century suddenly looked possible as he accelerated through the final stages.
A New Name Above Gayle
For years, the list of T20 batting monsters was headed by Chris Gayle, with Aaron Finch and others following behind. Now a 21-year-old South African opener sits at the top.
Pretorius has not merely broken Gayle's record — he has raised it by 13 runs, creating a new number for the next generation of T20 hitters to chase.