Cricket is a batter’s game – there’s no denying of this fact, especially in the shortest format of the game. We’re into the 14th season of the biggest stage of T20 cricket in the world and over the years, it has been graced by some magnificent batters who have ruled the game. Here’s a look at the top 20.
Country: New Zealand
Last team he played for: RCB
2880 Runs | Average: 27.69 | SR: 131.74
Who better to start the list with than the man who set the IPL ablaze with a brilliant knock of 158* in the first-ever match of the star-studded tournament. One of the fittest cricketers to have played the game, McCullum was a nightmare for bowlers with his fearless batting style. The Kiwi great retired from the IPL after the 2018 season and is currently the coach of his first IPL team, KKR.
Country: India
Last team he played for: SRH
3204 Runs | Average: 29.12 | SR:142.97
One of the most explosive batters to have played for India, Yusuf’s golden years in the IPL came when he played for the Rajasthan Royals. The 2011 World Cup winner has the second fastest century in the history of the tournament which came off just 37 balls. Yusuf’s immaculate six-hitting ability made him a key player for his teams. Yusuf announced his retirement in 2021 after he had no takers in the 2020 season of the IPL.
Country: India
Current team: SRH
3367 Runs | Average: 30.33 | SR: 121.59
The first Indian to score a century in the IPL, Manish Pandey has been on the scene for a long time now. The flamboyant batter from Karnataka is known to play the anchor role for every team he plays. Bagged by the Sunrisers Hyderabad for a whopping ?11 crore in 2018, Pandey is a vital cog in the Orange Army’s batting line-up.
Country: West Indies
Current team: MI
3035 Runs | Average: 29.46 | SR: 149.21
Built like a mountain, the Trinidadian’s powerful hitting does justice to his frame. One of the greatest entertainers in the game, Pollard has been a crucial part of the Mumbai Indians core for a number of years now. An exceptional fielder and a canny operator with the bowl, Pollard is a huge asset and one of the biggest reasons for MI’s success in the IPL.
Country: India
Current team: RR
2707 Runs | Average: 28.49 | SR: 135.48
Relatively new to the scene, Samson has already garnered a lot of adulation for his free-flowing batting style and gritty knocks. The wicket-keeper batter from Kerala was appointed as the captain of the Men in Pink for their 2021 season. Consistency has been Sanju’s archnemesis for a long time now, causing the talented batter to lose his place in the national team from time to time.
Country: India
Current team: CSK
3682 Runs | Average: 29.45 | SR: 126.18
Rayudu’s career has been a rollercoaster ride. From being touted to be the next big thing in Indian cricket at the age of 16 to announcing his retirement in 2019 following his exclusion from the World Cup squad, some might call the veteran an unlucky man. A prolific run-getter in the IPL, Rayudu would love to keep his consistency going for a few more seasons.
Country: India
Current team: KKR
3853 Runs | Average: 26.21 | SR: 129.77
One of the most experienced wicketkeeper-batters in the country, Karthik has been a household name for quite a long time now. Having plied his trade for six different teams, he finally seems to have found solace in the purple and gold of KKR. Many experts believe Karthik has been an underperformer given his huge potential. The presence of MS Dhoni has meant that there have been hardly any opportunities for Karthik in the national side.
Country: India
Current team: PBKS
2738 Runs | Average: 45.63 | SR: 136.96
Averaging the highest among all the batters near his level of runs, KL Rahul is one of the most exciting prospects for India. Starting his career as a test batter, the Punjab skipper has risen quickly in the ranks in the shortest format of the game. Rahul’s immaculate strokeplay and sound technique make him a treat to watch for all the cricket fans.
Country: Australia
Last team: CSK
3874 Runs | Average: 30.99 | SR: 137.91
One of the cleanest strikers of the cricket ball, Watson made a grand entry into the IPL in 2008 for the Rajasthan Royals. The two-time MVP award winner is arguably one of the best white-ball all-rounders of the game. A big stage player, Watson’s gritty century in the 2018 IPL final led CSK to their third IPL trophy. Watson announced his retirement from all forms of cricket after the 2020 season.
Country: India
Current team: DC
3941 Runs | Average:31.52 | SR: 121.33
Not many expected the calm, patient and technical style of Rahane to succeed in the T20 format, yet here he stands. The vice captain of the test side was at the helm of the Rajasthan Royals for a long time before the Delhi Capitals scooped him up before the 2020 season. Rahane’s recent performances have been dismal compared to the high standards he set in his initial years. He would hope to make the most of every opportunity that comes his way this season.
Country: India
Last team: DC
4217 Runs | Average 31.23 | SR: 123.88
One of the greatest openers to have played for India, the southpaw was one of the most valuable players in the IPL for a long time. His fiery comments now are just a sign of the fiery performances that the batter from Delhi put up for KKR as he led them to two IPL titles. In 2018, Gambhir moved back to his first team Delhi and retired from all forms of the game in December 2018.
Country: India
Current team: CSK
4607 Runs | Average 27.92 | SR: 129.99
The 2007 T20 World Cup winner’s IPL career blossomed when he was roped in by KKR ahead of the 2014 IPL. The consistency of the free-flowing batter saw him won the orange cap and help his side clinch the trophy in 2014. Uthappa was bought by the Rajasthan Royals ahead of the 2020 season. Poor performances for RR saw him make his move to CSK for the 2021 season.
Country: India
Current team: CSK
4632 Runs | Average 40.63 | SR: 136.67
Arguably the best finisher in the game, MS Dhoni is a batting powerhouse and a proven matchwinner. However, where once people swore by his batting skills, the 39-year-old now seems to be approaching the end of an illustrious IPL career. The most expensive player of the first IPL auction has contributed immensely to Indian cricket as well as his IPL franchises, winning trophies and grooming young players for the future.
Country: West Indies
Current team: PBKS
4812 Runs | Average 41.12 | SR: 150.04
If destroying bowling lineups is an art, Chris Gayle is its renowned artist. The ‘Universe Boss’ is the most destructive batter to have played in the IPL. With a plethora of records to his name, Gayle is the one of the biggest entertainers in the game, both on and off the field. The 41-year-old Jamaican is still going strong, traumatizing bowlers wherever he plays.
Country: South Africa
Current team: RCB
4898 Runs | Average 40.14 | SR: 151.92
If the word ‘genius’ had a face, it would be that of AB de Villiers. The 360-degree batter is perhaps the most loved cricketer around the world. With the ability to play in whatever way the team requires, de Villiers has graced the IPL since its inception in 2008. An agile fielder, talented wicketkeeper and storehouse of energy and experience, de Villiers is one of those players who bring out confidence in their teammates and fear in their oppositions.
Country: India
Current team: DC
5291 Runs | Average 34.58 | SR: 127.15
A consistent IPL performer since 2008, Shikhar Dhawan has been churning runs for all the teams he has played for. An exciting left-handed opener was the need of the hour for Indian cricket following the decline of the Sehwag-Gambhir era and Dhawan rose to the occasion. Bought by his home team Delhi ahead of the 2019 season, Dhawan has been instrumental in changing the fortunes of his team with his brilliant performances.
Country: India
Current team: MI
5292 Runs | Average 31.92 | SR: 130.63
The most successful captain in the history of the tournament, Rohit Sharma has been no mug with the bat over the years. With his lazy elegance and eye-catching shots, the Hitman has amassed over 5000 runs in the IPL while leading his team to success. The Indian opener has expanded his fanbase over the last few years owing to his outstanding performances in both the blue jerseys.
Country: Australia
Current team: SRH
5311 Runs | Average 42.48 | SR:141.51
One of the greatest Aussie openers, David Warner has been an IPL success story. The feisty southpaw is as fluent with his shots as he is with his TikTok videos. The two-time orange cap winner has been a huge reason for SRH’s consistency over the years.
Country: India
Current team: CSK
5422 Runs | Average: 33.46 | SR: 137.26
Suresh Raina’s batting is as pleasing to the eye as it is instrumental to the Men in Yellow. A major reason for CSK’s achievements, Raina has been a run-machine for the franchise. Like his team, he too seems to be past his golden years. However, the 2011 World Cup winner has made a promising start to the 2021 season and CSK fans would be hoping that they could see more of the vintage Raina as the tournament goes on.
Country: India
Current Team: RCB
5944 Runs | Average 38.10 | SR:130.52
The Indian and RCB Captain is the highest run getter in the history of the IPL, fast approaching 6000 runs. King Kohli has been dominating all the charts over the past decade with his near-supernatural batting abilities. His hunger and flare for the game are visible whenever he plays and are the biggest reasons for the fairytale that is his career. Virat will be hoping to get his hands on the IPL trophy this year and his batting will be the key as always in determining RCB’s success.
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