Many believe that T20 cricket is a batter’s game. With field restrictions, the nature of the conditions, and the ball used in the game, batters have made the most of what is available to them and have piled on the runs in the IPL.
With the IPL completing yet another season and looking forward to a mega auction, here we take a look at the top 10 IPL run-scorers of all time.
Gautam Gambhir
It is no surprise that Delhi boy Gautam Gambhir is one of the top 10 run-scorers in the IPL. Gambhir played for the Delhi Daredevils and the Kolkata Knight Riders during his IPL career. Of course, he led the KKR to two IPL trophies during his time with the team.
Gambhir was allowed to be a part of this list primarily because he opened the batting for his side. He averaged 31.23 at a strike rate of 123 and made his way at number 10 on this list.
Gambhir announced his retirement in 2018, as a result of which he remains absent from the IPL.
Robin Uthappa
Known for his elegance and ability to time the ball sweetly, Robin Uthappa finds himself as the ninth-highest run-getter in the IPL. Having played for an array of IPL franchises, including the Mumbai Indians, the Royal Challengers Bangalore, the Pune Warriors India, the Kolkata Knight Riders, the Rajasthan Royals, and the Chennai Super Kings, Uthappa found his most successful run with the KKR.
Although Uthappa averages the least of all the players on this list, his healthy strike rate of 130 has helped him quickly stack up runs. He finished off the recently-concluded IPL season on a high with the Chennai Super Kings, which included brilliant performances from the right-hander in the Play-off stages.
MS Dhoni
Probably one who will go down as one of the most loyal captains and players, MS Dhoni has hardly ever been short of runs for the Men in Yellow.
Having spent all his time with the Chennai Super Kings (though he played for the Rising Pune Supergiant the in 2016 and 2017 seasons when the CSK were banned from the IPL), Dhoni has contributed heavily down the order, helping his side get the job done by finishing the matches.
Although Dhoni would find himself in the most challenging circumstances and with less time than others on this list, he managed to score 4746 runs with an average of nearly 40.
Some may argue that the keeper-batter’s time is done, but, even if that is the case, Dhoni will undoubtedly go down as one of the best of all time.
Chris Gayle
In time, the T20 format has become synonymous with Chris Gayle. The big West Indian opener is known for his impressive ability to hit the ball big. His reputation for hitting the big ones is probably why he continues to find a side in the IPL even at the age of 42.
Gayle has played for the Kolkata Knight Riders, the Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Punjab Kings during his IPL career.
Yet another opener on this list, Gayle used to be explosive during the Powerplays and often opened the batting for his sides. He still possesses an incredible strike rate of 148.96 and nearly averages 40, justifying his position on this list.
AB de Villiers
Many have been left saddened by AB de Villiers’ recent announcement to retire from all forms of cricket. That said, the South African has undoubtedly been an ambassador for the IPL.
Much like Dhoni, de Villiers would find himself in the back-end of matches and at times when he would have no option but to score quickly. Although he is mostly associated with the RCB red, de Villiers spent his initial few IPL seasons with the Delhi Daredevils.
AB de Villiers scored 5162 runs in his IPL career at a strike rate of 151 — the highest strike rate to appear on this list. He also averaged nearly 40 and sometimes took the keeping gloves if the team needed him to perform that role.
David Warner
The solitary Australian to appear on this list, David Warner seems to be having a tough time in the IPL as of late. The explosive left-handed opener spent his initial IPL years with the Delhi Daredevils before moving to SunRisers Hyderabad, where he went on to captain the side, even leading them to an IPL trophy in 2016.
Warner has over 5000 runs in the IPL and is the only man on this list to average over 40. Although some may argue that his position as an opener has helped his cause, Warner has become a monumental figure as a captain and run-scorer for the Hyderabad team.
Suresh Raina
Moving into the top 4 run scorers, Suresh Raina is one of the four Indians who occupy these positions. Although overshadowed a bit by the greatness of MS Dhoni, Raina would also go down as one of the most loyal players in the IPL. He has spent every season of the IPL with the Chennai team, except for when he played for the Gujarat Lions in the 2016 and 2017 seasons when the CSK were banned from the IPL.
Raina has played over 200 IPL games and has scored over 5500 runs in the tournament. He averages 32 and strikes at 136.76, a healthy number for someone who has batted at No 3 and in the middle order for most of his career.
Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma is famous for his leadership and his performances with the bat for the Mumbai Indians, but many forget that he started his IPL career with the Deccan Chargers, with whom he went on to win an IPL trophy as well.
Sharma has scored 5611 runs in the IPL, although he has found himself at various batting positions throughout his career. He averages 31 with a strike rate of 130 — healthy numbers, aiding his place on this list.
Rohit Sharma has a staggering five IPL trophies with the Mumbai Indians, having captained all of their IPL triumphs so far.
Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan is currently the second-highest run-scorer in IPL history. He has been around long enough to have represented various teams in the IPL — the Delhi Daredevils, the Deccan Chargers, the Sunrisers Hyderabad, the Delhi Capitals, and the Mumbai Indians. Dhawan has also had stints of captaincy during his IPL career.
Dhawan is yet another opening batter to make his way onto this list. He averages nearly 35 and strikes at 126. Although he has a relatively low strike rate, Dhawan does most of his damage by batting for long periods and scoring runs in heaps.
Virat Kohli
The highest run-scorer in the IPL, to the surprise of not many, is Virat Kohli.
Kohli is the only IPL player to have scored in excess of 6000 runs and is nearly 500 runs ahead of Shikhar Dhawan in second place. Kohli has spent all his time with the RCB and has pledged to finish his IPL career with them as well.
Kohli averages 37 and strikes at nearly 130 in the IPL. Quite a team player, Kohli has batted at No 3 when needed and has also opened the batting based on the requirements of his side.
Although Kohli does not have an IPL trophy yet, one can be confident that the RCB will be getting their hands on one if he carries on in this fashion.
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