Rohit Sharma vs Suresh Raina - who has been the greater batter in IPL history?
Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina are among the biggest names in not just the Indian Premier League (IPL) history but also as far as Indian cricket is concerned. Speaking of the IPL though, both batters have made immense contributions for the respective sides.
Rohit has played a key role in the Mumbai Indians winning five IPL titles. On the other hand, Suresh Raina has been equally valuable to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), contributing in four out of their five title triumphs.
Rohit joined Mumbai ahead of the 2011 season before spending three seasons with the Deccan Chargers. Raina made his IPL debut with CSK in 2008 and ended his career in 2021 after representing them. However, he also featured for the Gujarat Lions in 2016 and 2017 in the absence of CSK from the league.
Both batters are among the most prolific run-getters in the history of the league and have played many memorable knocks over the years that fans still rejoice even today.
However, there always remains a debate as to who between Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina is the greater batter in IPL history. While both the batters have a fabulous record, a closer look at the same could help us determine who has been greater among the two.
Rohit Sharma's IPL record
Rohit Sharma began his IPL journey in 2008 with the Deccan Chargers and played three seasons for them till 2010. He had an impressive debut IPL season where he scored 404 runs. In the next seasons for the Deccan Chargers, he impressed with 362 and 404 runs, respectively.
Rohit joined Mumbai Indians in 2011 and is now their highest run-getter in IPL history. Overall, Rohit has scored 6628 runs in the league at an average of 29.72 and a strike-rate of 131.14 with two hundreds and 43 fifties.
Despite being among the top run-getters in the league, Rohit Sharma has not been consistent, particularly in the last few seasons. While he scored 417 runs in 2024, he failed to touch the 400-mark in 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020.
Suresh Raina's IPL record
Left-handed Suresh Raina made his IPL debut in 2008 with the Chennai Super Kings and impressed with 421 runs in his very first season. He consistently scored over 400 runs in every season from 2008 till 2014, becoming one of the most consistent batters in the history of the league and gaining the title of 'Mr.IPL' as well.
In fact, he plundered over 500 runs in 2010, 2013, and 2014. He played his last season in 2021 where he managed only 160 runs. However, he scored over 400 runs in 2017 and 2018 as well.
Overall, Raina amassed 5528 runs at an average of 32.51 and a strike-rate of 136.73, including one century and 39 half-centuries.
Who has been the greater batter in IPL history then?
Despite having fewer runs as compared to Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina has had a better average and strike-rate than the right-hander. Raina played massive roles with the bat in all of CSK's title wins during his time with the franchise.
Raina is probably one of the most consistent batters in IPL history, having scored over 400 runs for seven straight seasons from 2008 to 2014. Raina played 13 IPL seasons and has over 400 runs in nine seasons, showcasing his unmatched consistency in the league.
Raina's contributions in big matches, particularly knock-out matches, make his impact greater than that of Rohit Sharma in the IPL. It would only be fair to say that as far as the IPL is concerned, Raina has definitely been the greater batter among the two.