IPL: Top 3 batters with most dot balls in an innings

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that players with both the longest careers as well as players who might have played only a few years in the league. The batters will mostly be players who play at the top of the order and have the most opportunities to play the maximum dot balls in the IPL, dominating the chart of the majority of dot balls faced by a batsman in that competition.

Dot balls is a thing that no player wants to accumulate but can be crucial in seeing out the overs of some key players. We have often seen batters using dot balls as an option to make sure the opposition loses some momentum and the pressure is off the team. Let’s take a look at the top 3 batters with the most dot balls in an innings

1) Shikhar Dhawan vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (31 dot balls)

Shikhar Dhawan created headlines for his outstanding showing in the cricket world by defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad and scoring an undefeated 99 runs off 66 balls. The PBKS captain, who played on the home field of his previous side although suffering a top-order collapse, led his team through the entire 20 overs.

He accumulated 31 dot balls in the innings which was a must at that time as he was able to accelerate later on. He was just short of his century and even though his team lost the game, he won the man of the match for his incredible innings.

2) DM Bravo vs Mumbai Indians (30 dot balls)

Due to the election, the Indian Premier League had been shifted to South Africa and it meant a dry Centurion pitch was on the offer. Batters found it tough to bat and it was a bowler’s paradise. Only a set batter can be able to accelerate in such scenarios and that’s what Bravo did.

Playing for the Punjab Kings, Bravo pulled out one of the bravest performances as he scored 70 off 59 balls. Of those 59 balls, 30 were dot balls which showed how difficult it was to bat on but at the end of the day, he made sure he took his side through to the total in a tricky chase for his franchise.

3) Aaron Finch vs Mumbai Indians (29 dot balls)

Everyone knows that the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium has a dry pitch and batting might be really tough, Aaron Finch put out a brave performance which might get some eyebrows raised in this day and age.

He hit 68 off 62 balls and had accumulated 29 dot balls which meant the pressure also accumulated on them. They hadn’t lost many wickets but once he fell and left the crease, the other batters had to step up but failed. In the end, his team SRH was only able to manage 157 which the opposition was able to chase in just under 18 overs.