The Indian Premier League (IPL) has seen some incredible opening batters taking centerstage and enthralling fans with their consistent performances. Opening is a very crucial aspect in an format of the game. If the opening batters can set a solid platform at the top, it makes the job of the middle-order batters and the pinch-hitters much easier.
Over the years, the cash-rich league has witnessed many formidable opening pairs, who have scored the bulk of the runs for their team. In IPL 2024, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) played the finals, with the former emerging victorious. One thing that was common in both teams was their opening batters’ dominance.
As the 18th edition of the IPL is gradually heading towards the halfway stage, CricTracker digs up the numbers and takes a look at the top five opening batters in the league’s history.
Top 5 opening batters in IPL history:
5. Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan started his IPL career at Delhi Capitals in 2008. He went on to play for Mumbai Indians and Deccan Chargers in the following years. However, his best years came when he was a part of Sunrisers Hyderabad from 2013 to 2018. He opened the batting alongside David Warner and the two left-handed batters were a treat to watch for cricket aficionados.
After being released by the Orange Army ahead of IPL 2019, Dhawan returned to Delhi Capitals and spent three seasons at the franchise. He eventually retired after leading the Punjab Kings in IPL 2024. The Delhi batter finished with 6,362 runs, most by an opener in the league. He averaged 35.54 and had a strike rate of 128.11 after playing 202 innings as an opener. Dhawan holds the record for hitting the most number of fours (768) in the league. He has 47 fifties and two tons in his IPL career.
4. David Warner
David Warner represented only two teams – Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad – in his illustrious IPL career. No other overseas batter has more runs in the IPL than the diminutive Australian batter. Warner is also one of the finest captains in the league’s history. He helped Sunrisers win their maiden title in 2016. The southpaw is also the only batter to win the Orange Cap in three different seasons.
Warner has amassed 5,910 runs from 163 innings as an opener in the IPL. He has an average of 39.93 and a strike rate of 140.81. He has the most number of half-centuries (62) in the competition. As an opener, he has registered 56 fifties. Warner also has four centuries, including a highest score of 126 (59) against KKR in IPL 2017.
3. Jos Buttler
Jos Buttler has shown great consistency in the IPL. He has played for Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals in the past. This season, he is plying his trade for Gujarat Titans but is yet to open the innings. Buttler has aggregated 3,003 runs from 78 innings as an opener. He is averaging 41.70 and his strike rate is just a shade under 150.
Buttler has 18 half-centuries and seven centuries to his name. He has the most number of hundreds (7) among overseas batters in the IPL. The England wicketkeeper-batter’s highest score of 124 off 64 balls came against SRH in IPL 2021.
2. Chris Gayle
Chris Gayle will always be remembered as an IPL legend. He started his career at KKR before moving to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). In RCB colours, the West Indies opener used to give opposition bowlers sleepless nights. ‘Gayle Storm’ was a regular occurrence back in the day as sixes rained from the bat of the ‘Universe Boss’.
He slammed 4,480 runs from 122 innings as an opener. Gayle is the only player on this list to have an average of over 40 (41.86) and a strike rate above 150 (151.40). The left-handed batter scored 28 fifties and six centuries in his legendary IPL career. He smashed an unbeaten 175* off just 66 balls against Pune Warriors India in IPL 2013. This continues to be the highest individual score in the league’s history. He scored his century off just 30 balls in this clash. No batter has been able to get to a three-figure scorer off fewer deliveries in the league.
1. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli‘s has staggering numbers not just in international cricket but also in the IPL. The only player to have played 18 seasons for the same franchise – RCB – has 4,449 runs under his belt from 116 innings as an opener. He has an awe-inspiring average of 45.86 and a commendable strike rate of 138.29.
Kohli has the most runs and the most centuries (8) in the league’s history and all of them came when he opened the innings. The two-time Orange Cap winner has the highest individual score of 113* not out. He achieved this score in two different instances. One of them came against Punjab Kings in IPL 2016, while the other one was against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2024. The Delhi-based batter would be hoping to win an elusive first IPL title this season.
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