Top 5 run-chasers in IPL history
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is undoubtedly one of the most eye-catching T20 tournaments. Top players from around the world compete with and against each other.
It has been a decade since the IPL started and it has grown leaps and bounds, since then.
Over the past few seasons in the IPL, chasing has become a trend. Most captains prefer to bowl first as it helps the team assess what they need to score batting second. And over the years, there have been some players who have done very well batting second.
Hence, let’s have a look at top 5 run-chasers in IPL history.
Note – Players ranked based on average
Criteria - Minimum 1000 runs batting second
#5 David Warner – 42.60
With 3922 runs overall in the IPL, David Warner is fifth on the leading run-getters of all time in the IPL.
Warner burst onto the international scene with a brutal 43-ball 89 against South Africa in his debut T20I in 2009. With some early T20 success, Warner was picked by Delhi Daredevils for the second edition of the IPL in 2009. Even though he didn’t start off too well, he started delivering the goods once he grew in experience.
He slowly became consistent but it was his move to the Sunrises Hyderabad that changed things drastically for him. For DD, he played 55 games and scored 1435 runs at an average of 28.70. But for SRH, he has scored 2487 runs in 28 games at an average of 51.81. Moreover, captaincy has brought the best out of him. He has learned to take the responsibility of the team as he now looks to bat through the innings, especially while chasing.
He has become very good while batting second. In 54 innings that he has batted second, he has scored 1917 runs at a superb average of 42.60. He has single-handedly taken SRH to victory on many occasions in run chases. One of his stand out innings was his unbeaten 93 that took the Hyderabad-franchise to victory (and through to the Final) in the Second Qualifier against Gujarat Lions.