IPL's 10 Greatest Knocks Of All Time: Shane Watson’s Grit With Blood-Stained Leg To Virat Kohli’s Heroics With Broken Thumb - In Pics

In the very first IPL match in 2008, McCullum's stunning 158 not out set the tone for the tournament. His explosive batting and innovative strokes made this innings an unforgettable advertisement for the IPL and is regarded as the greatest knock of IPL history. 

In the 2018 IPL final, Shane Watson delivered a match-winning performance, scoring 117 runs off 57 balls. His innings helped Chennai Super Kings chase down a daunting target against Sunrisers Hyderabad, showcasing his ability to perform on the biggest stage.

Kieron Pollard's explosive innings of 60 runs not out in the 2013 final helped guide the Mumbai Indians to their first IPL title. His powerful hitting in a high-pressure situation showcased his big-match temperament.

Suresh Raina holds the record for the most runs scored in the first 6 overs of an IPL match, with a remarkable 87 runs off just 25 balls. This innings is often regarded as one of the best in IPL history due to its explosive nature. CSK did not win the match despite his incredible performance; they lost after Raina was run out. 

No one can forget the incredible performance by AB de Villiers during the first qualifier match of the 2016 IPL. He single-handedly won the match for his team, RCB, and took them to the finals. RCB won the toss and chose to field first, while the Gujarat Lions scored 158 runs, setting a target of 159 for RCB.

CSK faced the Punjab Kings, needing to win to qualify for the playoffs. Punjab batted first and scored 192 runs. At 16.4 overs, CSK was struggling at 148/4, needing 45 runs from 20 balls. Then, MS Dhoni played one of the greatest knocks in IPL history, scoring 54 off 29 leading CSK to a playoff spot. They not only qualified but also went on to win their maiden IPL trophy that season.

Chris Gayle produced one of the most explosive innings in IPL history, scoring 175 runs off just 66 balls. His record-breaking performance included an astonishing 17 sixes, leaving fans and players in awe.

CSK needed 150 runs to win their fourth IPL trophy but lost the match by just 1 run, allowing Mumbai to claim their fourth title. While chasing the target, Chennai's Shane Watson scored an impressive 80 runs off 59 balls. Despite his best efforts, CSK fell short in the end. After the match, everyone noticed blood stains on Shane Watson's leg, highlighting his determination to give it his all for the team.

In their last league match of the season, Mumbai Indians needed 190 to chase within 14.3 overs a near-impossible task. Corey Anderson, however, turned the game around with a stunning unbeaten 95 off 44 balls sealing Mumbai's spot in the playoffs in dramatic fashion.

Kohli’s fearless 113 runs off 50 balls against Kings XI Punjab, despite battling a broken thumb, was a testament to his determination and skill. This remarkable innings helped solidify his reputation as one of the IPL's greatest players.