If there is one franchise league where players would only seek their interests, that would most definitely be the IPL. The T20 format and the game have transcended into new dimensions, making us see many legends set their mark and unfold their dexterity. And, in terms of Batting, the league has given us a lot of entertainment from some of the absolute gurus of the game who expressed their unique approach to batting as art itself.
As the new IPL season and the T20 World Cup approaching, let us go through the Top 10 IPL Batsmen.
- Virat Kohli
Matches: 237
Runs: 7263
Strike Rate: 130.22
Highest Score: 113
Average: 37.24
50s: 50
100s: 7
Widely regarded as the GOAT, it is hard to find a match in RCB where you’ll see Virat not in the scorecard. He has been a one-man team and a stalwart for RCB since the beginning of his IPL career. The streets will never forget his 2016 campaign, where he smashed an absurd 973 runs in just 16 matches, averaging 81.08. This is the highest amount of runs anyone has scored in the IPL. He also held a record of 4 centuries in that single season. With the RCB side taking a reshuffle in their squad, we hope Virat can finally clinch the IPL trophy, having plenty of runs in his bag.
- Suresh Raina
Matches: 205
Runs: 5528
Strike Rate: 32.51
Highest Score: 100
Average: 32.51
50s:39
100s: 1
The man, the legend, like his once teammate Mike Hussey as Mr. Cricket, is widely regarded as Mr. IPL by many; he is Suresh Raina. Suresh Raina is known for his immense consistency for side CSK, playing 158 consecutive matches, which is the highest by any individual in the T20 format, until in 2018, when he had to opt out of a game due to personal reasons. It truly shows the character and the testament towards his loyalty and vigor in his performances for CSK. As the CSK fans call him Chinna Thala, his 86 off 25 balls against Punjab is indeed one of his fan favorites.
- Shikhar Dhawan
Matches: 217
Runs: 6617
Strike Rate: 127.17
Highest Score: 106
Average: 35.38
50s: 50
100s: 2
Gabbar, as they call him, if you had to name a couple of players in the IPL who have forever been consistent, then Shikhar Dhawan needs to be in the conversation. Before performing consistently on the Indian Side, we all got to know Shikhar Dhawan through IPL. SRH wouldn’t have won the trophy in 2016 without his instrumental role of 501 runs, averaging 38.53. Individually, his best season was with Delhi Capital, scoring 616 seasons in just 17 innings, bagging two centuries and averaging 44.14. Now, this season, as he captains the Punjab Kings, we hope to see him shine with a well-balanced side.
- David Warner
Matches: 176
Runs: 6397
Strike Rate: 139.91
Highest Score:126
Average: 41.59
50s:61
100s: 4
Recently retired from Test and ODI cricket, Davi Warner has said that he seeks to focus on franchise cricket more. Not that he ever skipped any IPL season or was inconsistent, but that is only good news for the fans, as he will be seen not just in the IPL but also in other franchise leagues all around the world. Averaging an astonishing 41.59, the great man barely gets a season where his individuality isn’t expressed. He is the fifth-highest run-getting in the league.
Who can forget that season when he scored the second-highest runs in the league, an absurd 848 runs second to Kohli’s 973, another impeccable season. While doing so, Davi won the league, captaining SRH.
- Chris Gayle
Matches: 142
Runs: 4965
Strike Rate: 148.96
Highest Score: 175
Average: 39.72
50s:31
100s: 6
The man who put the T20 format on the map also brought many new fans to the sport with his brutal, inhumane knocks and over-the-moon sixes; who else fits this description besides the “Universe Boss” Christopher Henry Gayle. It is quite unfortunate that he never won the league, but he made sure to win the hearts of everyone around the world with his Gayle storms.
The streets know him for his three consecutive seasons for RCB, where he had 600+ runs, two in which he was the highest run scorer and the other only 2nd to Mike Hussey. That 175 against Punjab in 2013 has got to be one of the most remarkable T20 innings ever.
- AB Devilliers
Matches:184
Runs:5162
Strike Rate:151.68
Highest Score:133
Average: 39.70
50s:40
100s: 3
A cricketer with 0 haters and indeed, almost impeccable techniques all around the field, Mr. 360 has undoubtedly cemented his name as one of the GOATs not just in the sport but also in Cricket.
- MS Dhoni
Matches: 220
Runs:4746
Strike Rate:135.83
Highest Score:84
Average: 39.55
50s:23
100s: 0
It is such a spectacle and a luxury that we will get to witness Thala for another season in the IPL. When no one thought that he’d be playing, let alone winning the IPL, he ended up doing both and furthermore. It is pretty remarkable that someone who bats down so low piled up 4746 runs, too, with an average of 39.55. Mr. Finisher saved CSK from the jaws of defeat at insurmountable times. Winning the season last year and quite possibly the coming season being the last one, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him culminate his cricketing career by winning it for the 6th time.
- Rohit Sharma
Matches:205
Runs: 5528
Strike Rate:136.73
Highest Score:100
Average: 29.58
50s: 39
100s: 1
No one personifies Mumbai Indians like the man himself, the Hitman, Rohit Sharma. Whatever we speak about him will seem short because of the highlights he has created, and they are not just with the bat but also as a captain. There is something ingenious about Rohit, something that is understood after witnessing him. The ability to play the innings exactly how it is meant to be, understanding the situation without a care of his or not, is what Rohit Sharma is capable of.
There is hardly any season where you won’t see Rohit not scoring more than 350 runs in a season having a strike rate of over 125. With the ongoing controversies going on with the captain issue and the bad season with the bat last year, we look forward to seeing him silence all his critics with the bat.
- KL Rahul
Matches: 118
Runs:4613
Strike Rate:134.42
Highest Score: 132
Average: 46.77
50s:33
100s: 4
Just like Virat Kohli, if there was someone who barely has a bad day with the bat then that has to be KL Rahul. It is truly scintillating that someone who started his IPL career just in 2013, has already gathered a ridiculous 4613 runs just in 118 matches. He sits at 14th place right now, and by the time he hits 200 games, it is evident that we may see him in the top 5 list, bagging a few trophies as well.
Lucknow Super Giants has a well-rounded team under Lokesh, and it won’t be surprising to see them among the top run-getters this season.
- Robin Uthappa
Matches:193
Runs:4722
Strike Rate:130.15
Highest Score:87
Average: 27.94
50s:25
100s: 0
Robin Uthappa is that cult classic of a player who has always been consistent in the IPL, someone who has contributed and has had an instrumental role in all of his team. The man’s elegant yet aggressive batting approach is a treat to the eyes of the fans. That 2014 season, when KKR won the league, Robin Uthappa had an immaculate touch with the bat, scoring runs after runs in every game. He wholly owned that year, being the highest run-getter and winning it under Gautam Gambhir’s leadership.
Special Mentions: The ones you may think should be on the list
There may be a few other greats that could’ve been on the list. The likes of Dinesh Karthik, Rayudu, Du Plessis, Rahane, Watson, and many others, but these 10 seem to stand out amongst all of them in terms of individual flair, being there for the team, and of course, in terms of trophies. With the years to come and the game evolving, there surely will changes to this name or a few going up the ranks.
To Conclude
To comprehend, the IPL has provided a platform for some exceptional batting skills. These players have left an everlasting impression, from Virat Kohli’s steadiness to Chris Gayle’s power-hitting. Suresh Raina’s loyalty, Shikhar Dhawan’s consistency, and David Warner’s dynamic approach contributed to the league’s attractiveness.
Along with the mastery of AB de Villiers, the finishing of MS Dhoni and the leadership of Rohit Sharma all have added to the IPL experience. KL Rahul and Robin Uthappa contribute considerably to their teams with their beautiful performance. The anticipation for outstanding performances from these batting virtuosos is evident as the IPL and T20 World Cup approaches. While these ten players stand out, the game’s dynamic nature ensures that new stars will emerge, influencing the future of IPL batting.
