This article lists the top ten batsmen who have scored the most runs while batting first in IPL (Indian Premier League matches).
Winning the toss and electing to bat first has become a rare occurrence in T20 cricket, with teams opting to chase in most cases. Especially in tournaments like the IPL, it is common for captains who win the toss to bat second due to snow at almost every venue and most T20 games being day/night games.
Also Read: Top 10 Lowest Team Totals In IPL History
However, some teams batting first have plenty of opportunities to score big. The team batting first plays the full 20 overs, their batsmen have the best platform to present themselves and there is no pressure on the scoreboard.
Most runs while batting first in IPL
| Player | Runs | Innings | High Score | Average | Strike Rate | 100s/50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shikhar Dhawan | 3770 | 122 | 106* | 34.27 | 127.32 | 1/28 |
| Virat Kohli | 3724 | 113 | 113 | 36.15 | 128.81 | 4/29 |
| Rohit Sharma | 3465 | 121 | 109* | 31.21 | 135.51 | 1/24 |
| Suresh Raina | 3194 | 109 | 100* | 32.26 | 135.62 | 1/26 |
| AB de Villiers | 3163 | 88 | 133* | 45.84 | 161.95 | 3/25 |
| David Warner | 3151 | 83 | 126 | 42.58 | 137.35 | 3/27 |
| MS Dhoni | 2952 | 124 | 75* | 39.89 | 138.20 | 0/14 |
| Chris Gayle | 2873 | 76 | 175* | 40.46 | 153.39 | 5/18 |
| Dinesh Karthik | 2521 | 109 | 97* | 28.32 | 135.24 | 0/12 |
| Ajinkya Rahane | 2204 | 76 | 105* | 31.48 | 127.25 | 2/15 |
Statistical insights of Most runs while batting first in IPL
The top two spots in the table are shared between Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan, who usually hold the IPL batting records.
Chris Gayle’s unbeaten 175 against Pune Warriors is the highest individual score batting first in a T20 game.
Also Read: Top 4 Players With 5 Sixes In An Over In IPL History
5 of Gayle’s six IPL centuries and 4 of Virat’s five IPL centuries have come while batting first. Here’s a look at who scored the most centuries in IPL apart from these two.
In terms of consistency, AB de Villiers has the best average run scorer among leading batsmen. Interestingly, the former RCB middle order batsman also topped the strike rate column in the above table; This is incredible from ABD.
