IPL: Top 3 players to play most number of IPL Finals

Indian Premier League (IPL) has been one of the most entertaining T20 franchise leagues around the world. As of now, Mumbai Indians (MI) are the most successful team with five titles. While CSK are in the second spot with four titles. Apart from them, KKR have two titles, Hyderabad franchises have two titles, and RR have one title to their name.

So, there are many players who have played for many franchises and have managed to play in IPL finals several times over the years. Those players have performed outrageously over the years for franchises. In big games like finals, they have also come up with some top performances to help their teams.             

Here are the top three players to play the most number of IPL finals:

3. Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Dwayne Bravo (7 times)

All these players have played in IPL finals seven times. Ravindra Jadeja has played six finals for CSK and one final for Rajasthan Royals (RR). While Ambati Rayudu has played four finals for MI and three finals for CSK.

Dwayne Bravo played all seven finals for CSK. Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin played five finals for CSK, one final for DC, and one final for RR. Ashwin’s best bowling figure came against RCB as he took three wickets for 16 runs in four overs. This was the IPL 2011 final that took place in Chennai.                       

2. Suresh Raina (8 times)

This former batter played eight IPL finals and all of those were for CSK only. In those games, Suresh Raina scored 249 runs, at an average of 35.57. Even with the ball, he took two wickets, at an average of 30. His highest score with the bat came against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Chennai.

In the IPL 2012 final, Raina smashed 73 runs off 38 balls, including three fours and five sixes. But, still, KKR managed to win that final. In IPL 2010 final against MI in Mumbai, Raina scored 57* runs off 35 balls, including three fours and three sixes. Even with the ball, he took one wicket for 21 runs in two overs. CSK won the final and he won the Player of the Match award.         

1. MS Dhoni (10 times)

The CSK skipper tops the chart as MS Dhoni has played 10 IPL finals so far. Among those, he has played nine finals for Chennai Super Kings and one for Rising Pune Super Giants. In those games, he has scored 180 runs, at an average of 36. As a wicketkeeper, he has been involved in eight dismissals (seven catches and one stumping).

His highest score in a final is 63* against Mumbai Indians (MI) during the IPL 2013 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. While chasing 149 runs, CSK fell short by 23 runs and lost the final. But MS Dhoni was the lone warrior as he smashed 63* runs off 45 balls, including three fours and five sixes.