Top 5 run scorers in the history of the IPL
With IPL 2019 just around the corner, cricket fans are waiting with more excitement than ever.
Ever since Brendon McCullum started the ritual back in the inaugural game on 18th April 2008, the IPL has always been lit up by the fireworks produced by the batsmen. After all, it is a batsman's game, as announced Baz, with his unbeaten 158 off just 73 deliveries.
A team scoring 222 runs in only 20 overs was a big deal back in 2008. It was the perfect way to kickstart the grandest cricket league in the entire world. The journey of the IPL has been quite sensational since that game, but when you look back into the vault, that unbelievable knock by McCullum will remain special forever.
Many world-class batsmen have graced the IPL with their presence over the years. From Sachin Tendulkar to Ricky Ponting and from Sanath Jayasuriya to Stephen Fleming, everyone has played a remarkable role for their respective franchises.
Apart from such batting legends, there have been a few players who have taken centre-stage in garnering all the acclaim and appreciation. Here, we take a look back at the last 10 years to find out the batsmen who have been scoring runs the most consistently in the IPL.
#5 Robin Uthappa
Robin Uthappa is a cricketer who will likely be remembered for what he couldn’t achieve rather than what he did. He was in the Indian national team since 2006 but failed to make the most of his opportunities.
After winning the first T20 World Cup in South Africa, Uthappa was highly rated as a T20 player as he played a significant role in that victorious campaign. Mumbai Indians bought him in the opening season of the IPL, but he didn’t remain there for long.
In the next season, he went to Royal Challengers Bangalore for two years where he started to make an impact. Pune Warriors came to the scene in 2011 and signed him for another two seasons before Kolkata Knight Riders welcomed him in 2014.
Uthappa is a remarkable batsman with a sound technique and unpredictable footwork. He isn’t afraid to go down the track against a fast bowler to hit him over his head. His athleticism in the field also makes him a complete player.
Uthappa has also kept wickets for the Kolkata Knight Riders, which shows how dedicated he is. He has scored 4086 runs in 165 IPL matches playing for four different teams. It has taken him 158 innings to score these many runs at a strike rate of 131.84.