Lhuan-dre Pretorius Sets New T20 Record with Unbeaten 188
Historic Achievement in T20 Cricket
In a remarkable display of batting, South Africa's Lhuan-dre Pretorius scored an astonishing 188 runs off just 79 balls, breaking Chris Gayle's long-standing record for the highest individual score in men's T20 cricket. This record-setting performance took place during the CSA T20 Challenge match between the Titans and Knights in Bloemfontein. The 20-year-old left-handed batsman surpassed Gayle's previous record of 175 runs, which he set while playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Pune Warriors India in the 2013 Indian Premier League.
An Explosive Knock
Pretorius started his innings with aggressive intent, reaching his half-century in just 24 balls and completing his century in a mere 40 deliveries. He accelerated to 150 runs in 58 balls, ultimately finishing his innings with an impressive tally of 15 fours and 13 sixes, achieving a strike rate of 237.97. He narrowly missed becoming the first player to score a double-century in men's T20 cricket, falling just 12 runs short.
More Records Tumble
His innings not only set a new individual record but also tied with Aaron Finch and Marcus Stoinis for the longest innings in men's T20 cricket, with all three players facing 79 balls. Pretorius's explosive performance helped the Titans reach a total of 267/3, marking the second-highest score in CSA T20 Challenge history. The Titans' own record of 271/3 against the Knights in 2022 still stands as the highest. Additionally, Pretorius surpassed Dewald Brevis's previous record of 162, which was the highest individual score in the CSA T20 Challenge.
Stellar Form and Career So Far
This innings marked Pretorius's debut in the 2026-27 season and continued his impressive form, having scored 94 and 101 in his last two matches for South Africa against Zimbabwe and Namibia in a tri-series held in September. Although he has played only 22 international matches across all formats, Pretorius has participated in 91 T20 games, boasting a career strike rate of 150.44. This record-breaking performance solidifies his status as a rising star in men's T20 cricket.