Virat & Rohit (Photo Source: X/Twitter)
The quest for the highest run-scorer title has become an enthralling subplot in the Indian Premier League (IPL), a sport that combines cricketing prowess with electric entertainment. Over the years, the league has seen various batting legends demonstrate their abilities and accumulate runs in an attempt to etch their names in the annals of IPL history.
This dynamic pursuit for run-scoring supremacy has not only fueled interpersonal rivalries but has also added to the overall enjoyment of the cricketing spectacle. Each franchise has its group of prolific run scorers who seek to outperform their opponents and leave an unforgettable mark on the tournament’s history.
Here’s the Team-wise highest run scorer in IPL history:
1. KL Rahul (Lucknow Super Giants/LSG)
KL Rahul Batting. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)
KL Rahul was drafted by the LSG franchise ahead of the IPL 2022 auction after he had been released by Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). Rahul had an excellent career for the Punjab franchise, but the inability to win an IPL title led to both parties parting ways before the mega auction. LSG had the option to pick 3 players before auction from the released players and they chose KL Rahul.
LSG also named KL Rahul the captain of the side and since then he has made 890 runs in 24 games for the franchise with two centuries, both coming against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2022. He averages 44.50 and strikes at 127.69. He led the team to the playoffs in its debut season. But in IPL 2023, he missed the second half of the season after sustaining a hip flexor injury.
2. Shubman Gill (Gujarat Titans/GT)
Shubman Gill. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)
The new captain of Gujarat Titans, Shubman Gill is the highest run-getter for the IPL 2022 champions. He was drafted into the side ahead of the IPL 2022 auction as he was released by Kolkata Knight Riders. He had a sombre first season for GT, scoring 483 runs in 16 matches with a best of 96 and four fifties.
However, in IPL 2023, he broke all barriers and hammered 890 runs, the second most by any batter in any season in IPL. He made 3 centuries, with the best of 129. He averaged 59.33 and a strike rate of 157.80. He hit 33 sixes and 85 fours as well. He hit back-to-back centuries as well. He will now captain GT in IPL 2024.
3. KL Rahul (Punjab Kings/PBKS)
KL Rahul. (Photo Source: Twitter)
KL Rahul makes his second appearance on this list, this time for his old franchise Punjab Kings. He was bought by the franchise in IPL 2018 for INR 11 crores and was later made captain of the side. He scored 659 runs in the season at a strike rate of 158.41 and an average of 54.91.
He continued to have great performances for Punjab Kings, scoring 593 runs in IPL 2019, 670 runs in IPL 2020, and 626 runs in IPL 2021 for the franchise. Overall, in 55 matches, Rahul scored 2548 runs for Punjab at an average of 56.62 and strike rate of 139.76 with a highest score of 132*. He hit 2 centuries for them and hit 110 sixes and 221 fours.
4. Rishabh Pant (Delhi Capitals/DC)
Currently out of action due to recovering from a car accident, Rishabh Pant made his IPL debut for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2016. He was fresh off the U19 World Cup performance and made the franchise his home, with the management investing in his abilities and talent. He had his best outing for DC in IPL 2018 with 684 runs at a strike rate of 173.68 and highest score of 128*.
Since then, Pant has played 98 games for DC, scoring 2838 runs with 1 century and 15 fifties to his name. He averages 34.61 and has a strike rate of 147.97. Pant has also hit 129 sixes and 260 fours, apart from taking 64 catches and effecting 18 stumpings. He was named the DC captain in IPL 2021 and is expected to return to action in IPL 2024.
5. David Warner (Sunrisers Hyderabad/SRH)
David Warner. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Owner of the title of the best overseas batter ever to play in the IPL, David Warner had the time of his life with Sunrisers Hyderabad from 2014-2021. Their parting of ways was on a very sour note, with Warner being treated poorly by the franchise on his way out. But it has to be noted that SRH won their only IPL title in 2016 with Warner as captain.
He led from the front with his best outing being in IPL 2016, where he made 848 runs in 17 matches with 9 fifties and a best score of 93*. He averaged 60.57 and had a strike rate of 151.42, hitting 31 sixes as well. Overall, Warner played 95 matches for SRH, scoring 4014 runs with 2 centuries and 40 fifties to his name. He averaged 49.55 and had a strike rate of 142.59, hitting 379 fours and 143 sixes.
6. Sanju Samson (Rajasthan Royals/RR)
Sanju Samson. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)
Sanju Samson was given a chance to shine by Rajasthan Royals in the IPL when he began his journey with them in IPL 2013. He spent a couple of seasons with Delhi Capitals, before finding his way back home with RR. Samson has been one of the most consistent cricketers for the franchise, and this helped him make his India debut in 2015.
He was also named the captain of the side in IPL 2021 and Samson led the side to the IPL final in the 2022 season, losing to Gujarat Titans. He will be leading the side again in IPL 2024 and his record has been excellent for the team. In 124 matches, Samson has 3211 runs for RR at a strike rate of 139.48 and an average of 29.73. He has 2 centuries and 17 fifties to his name with the highest score being 119.
7. Gautam Gambhir (Kolkata Knight Riders/KKR)
Gautam Gambhir. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Kolkata Knight Riders went for an overhaul of their team in IPL 2011 and the first player they bought was Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir then transformed a struggling franchise into two-time IPL trophy winners in 2012 and 2014. He consistently led the team to playoffs and performed from the front. Gambhir also unearthed some talents like Sunil Narine and Suryakumar Yadav and gave them time to flourish.
He also led from the front, often sacrificing his opening position for others. In 108 games for KKR, Gambhir made 3035 runs at an average of 31.61 and a strike rate of 124.28. He hit 27 fifties with the highest score of 93. After spending two seasons with the Lucknow franchise, Gambhir will return to the KKR fold as the franchise mentor in IPL 2024.
8. Virat Kohli (Royal Challenges Bangalore/RCB)
Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)
Virat Kohli is one of the few players who have played their entire IPL career for one team, in this case, the Royal Challengers Bangalore. RCB got Virat Kohli in the IPL 2008 U19 players draft and he went on to achieve greatness in IPL for the team, captaining the side from 2013 to 2021. Kohli’s best performance for RCB was in IPL 2016 when he scored 973 runs with 4 centuries and 7 fifties in 16 games. He averaged 81.08 and had a strike rate of 152.03.
After a couple of years of lull, Kohli roared back in form in IPL 2023 with 639 runs and two centuries, taking his ton tally to 7, the most by a batter in IPL. Kohli is also the all-time highest run-getter in IPL with 7263 runs, all of which have come for RCB. He has 7 centuries and 50 fifties to his name with the best score of 113. He averages 37.25 and has a strike rate of just over 130, hitting 234 sixes and 643 fours.
Also check: List of Virat Kohli international & IPL centuries
9. Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians/MI)
Rohit Sharma Mumbai Indians. (Photo Source: INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP via Getty Images)
Rohit Sharma was already an IPL champion when he joined the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2011 and went on to achieve legend status with the franchise. He was named captain in IPL 2013 and since then led the MI side to five titles in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020. He won’t captain MI in the upcoming IPL 2024, having been replaced by Hardik Pandya.
In all, for MI, Rohit Sharma has 5041 runs in 198 games with an average of 29.30 and a strike rate of 129.72. He has one century and 34 fifties to his name and has hit 206 sixes and 458 fours in his career. This will be a long time after which the MI fans will see Rohit Sharma not captaining the side in the IPL, starting in 2024.
Also check: List of Rohit Sharma international & IPL centuries
10. Suresh Raina (Chennai Super Kings/CSK)
Suresh Raina. (Photo Source: Twitter)
While many would assume, MS Dhoni would have the most runs for Chennai Super Kings, given his long association with the franchise. But it is Suresh Raina aka ‘Mr IPL’ himself, who has the record for most runs for five-time champions CSK in Indian Premier League. Raina was the vice-captain of the CSK from 2008 to 2019.
In all he played 176 matches for CSK, scoring 4687 runs with an average of 32.32 and a strike rate of 136.88. He scored one century and 33 fifties while hitting 425 fours and 180 sixes during his time in the Yellow Army. From IPL 2008-2014, Suresh Raina scored 400 plus runs in each season of the IPL, another record that the Mr. IPL holds.