Full Breakdown
Lhuan-dre Pretorius Shatters 13-Year-Old T20 Record
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Record-Breaking Innings
On October 3, 2026 in Bloemfontein, South Africa’s Titans faced the Knights in the CSA T20 Challenge. Opening the innings, 20-year-old left-handed wicket-keeper-batter Lhuan-dre Pretorius remained unbeaten on 188 runs off 79 balls, with 15 fours and 13 sixes at a strike rate of 237.97. The Titans posted 267/3, and the Knights were bowled out for 143, giving a 124-run victory. Pretorius’s knock eclipsed the previous world record of **175* by Chris Gayle** in the 2013 IPL.
Path to the Milestone
The record set by West Indian legend Chris Gayle (175* off 66 balls, 2013 IPL) had withstood numerous attempts, Aaron Finch’s 172* (2018) being the closest. Pretorius rose through the ranks after leading South Africa’s run-scoring at the 2024 Under-19 World Cup and topping the 2025 SA20 scoring chart with 397 runs for the Paarl Royals. He made a Test debut in 2025, scoring 153 and becoming the youngest player to record a 150-run Test score.
Entering the 2026-27 domestic season, Pretorius arrived in “destructive form,” after a 101-run T20I innings against Namibia and a 94-run effort versus Zimbabwe the previous month. The October 3 innings marked his third T20 century in 91 matches.
Key Figures
- Lhuan-dre Pretorius – 20-year-old left-handed wicket-keeper-batter; 188* innings.
- Chris Gayle – former West Indian international; previous record holder (175*).
- Donovan Ferreira – Titans captain; unbeaten 29 runs off 11 balls.
- Sinethemba Qeshile – partnered Pretorius for a 100-run stand.
Statistics at a Glance
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Individual score | 188* (79 balls) |
| Boundaries | 15 fours, 13 sixes |
| Strike rate | 237.97 |
| Team total | 267/3 (second-highest in CSA T20 history) |
| Victory margin | 124 runs |
| Knights chase | 143 all out (17.2 overs) |
| Highest T20 scores list (as of Oct 3 2026) | 1. Lhuan-dre Pretorius 188* – Titans vs Knights 2026 2. Chris Gayle 175* – RCB vs Pune Warriors 2013 3. Aaron Finch 172 – Australia vs Zimbabwe 2018 4. Hamza Khan 164* – Rwanda vs Ivory Coast 2026 5. Karanbir Singh 164 – Austria vs Hungary 2026 |
| Previous CSA T20 individual record | Dewald Brevis 162 (2022) |
Impact and Significance
Pretorius’s 188* sets a new benchmark for individual performance in the 20-over format, underscoring the trend toward ultra-aggressive scoring. The innings boosts his marketability on the global franchise circuit, positioning him as a premier power-hitter for upcoming IPL, SA20, and other T20 leagues, and reinforces South Africa’s reputation for high-impact opening batters.