The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been home to some of cricket's greatest run-scorers, with players carving their names into the record books with sheer consistency, match-winning performances, and match-defining moments that would never be forgotten.
Virat Kohli (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
Let's start with the uncrowned IPL run-scoring king, Virat Kohli. Up to the beginning of 2025, Kohli had scored over 8,000 runs in the IPL, a remarkable achievement which puts him far ahead of others. Kohli has been representing Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) ever since the advent of the IPL in 2008, and his success story is all about consistency and adjustability. One of his most momentous moments was in the 2016 season when he aggregated an unprecedented 973 runs in a single season, with four centuries—a feat that still stands. One of the highlight matches from that season was against Gujarat Lions, in which Kohli destroyed 109 off 55 balls, a mix of old-fashioned cover drives and bold lofts that demolished the opposition bowling. His partnership with AB de Villiers in that game turned the match into a spectacle, with the duo stitching together a 229-run stand that left fans in awe. Despite RCB not clinching the title that year, Kohli’s ability to single-handedly carry his team’s batting has made him a fan favorite and a nightmare for bowlers. His ability to pursue huge scores, such as the 183 he accumulated against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2016 in pursuit of chasing down 183 in a high-pressure run-chase, displays why history will not forget him as the greatest batsman in the IPL.
Shikhar Dhawan (Punjab Kings)
Then comes Shikhar Dhawan, popularly known as "Gabbar" by supporters, ranking second with approximately 6,769 runs throughout his IPL career. Dhawan is a picture of reliability, turning out for franchises such as Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Punjab Kings. Dhawan stands apart from the rest due to his ability to hold up an innings while still having a good strike rate. One of his finest moments was in 2020 for Delhi Capitals against Chennai Super Kings, when he played a gritty 101 not out off 58 balls. In that game, Dhawan fought cramps and a powerful CSK bowling line-up, topped by a blazing Dwayne Bravo, to lead his side to a nail-biting win in a 179-run chase. His cover drives were a work of art, and the lofted six to seal the match became an iconic picture of his IPL career. Dhawan's ability to deliver in large matches, such as his 92 from 50 balls during the Punjab Kings match in 2019 for Sunrisers, has earned him a position as one of the IPL's most dependable openers.
Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians)
Rohit Sharma, the "Hitman," is next with approximately 6,600 runs, a figure that supports his record as the most successful IPL captain with five titles for Mumbai Indians. Rohit's finesse and brute strength have created a thousand moments to cherish, but one that stands out is his 109 not out off 60 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2012. Rescuing his team from a vulnerable 20 for 2, Rohit played a captain's innings, combining caution with aggression to take MI to a fighting 182. His signature lofted cover drive off Shakib Al Hasan for a six in the match is one of the IPL's most repeated shots. Another turning point was his 79 off 39 balls during the 2015 IPL playoffs against Chennai Super Kings, in which he tore apart CSK's bowling to create a match-winning score. Rohit's knack of playing well in crunch situations, such as his serene 50 not out in the 2013 IPL final while chasing 149 against CSK, has earned him a legend status in the history of the tournament.
David Warner (Delhi Capitals)
Australian dynamo David Warner takes the third position with more than 6,500 runs as the top overseas run-scorer in IPL history. Warner's stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad, during which he also led the side to the 2016 championship, is marked with flashes of absolute supremacy. One of his standout performances is his 126 off 59 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2017. Warner destroyed the KKR bowling unit, scoring 10 fours and 8 sixes, including a gargantuan 97-meter six off Kuldeep Yadav that sailed into the top tier of the stadium. His capability to dismantle quality spinners such as Sunil Narine in that match highlighted his versatility on Indian pitches. Warner's three Orange Cap titles (2015, 2017, 2019) highlight his consistency, and his captaincy in SRH's 2016 victory—during which he made 848 runs in the year—made him a favorite son of Hyderabad. His aggressive openings, frequently dictating the pace in the powerplays, have provided his sides with a psychological boost that will be remembered by history.
Suresh Raina (Chennai Super Kings)
Suresh Raina, popularly referred to as "Mr. IPL," completes the list of top five with more than 5,500 runs, mostly for Chennai Super Kings. Raina was the lynchpin of CSK's middle order during their halcyon days, helping the team lift four championships. His greatest moment arrived in the 2010 IPL semi-final against Deccan Chargers when he plundered 87 not out from 45 deliveries to chase down 142 in a nail-biting encounter. Raina's attack on Adam Gilchrist's bowling, of which a glancing six over the stands off Ryan Harris was a highlight, turned the game upside down and took CSK to the final. Another recalled knock was his 100 out of 53 balls against the Punjab Kings in 2014, a Qualifier 2 match where his aggressive scoring confirmed CSK's entry into the final. Raina's reliability—more than 400 runs per season from 2008 through 2014—and his explosive fielding have made an unerasable imprint on the IPL's history.
AB de Villiers (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
With about 5,162 runs, mostly for RCB, South African genius AB de Villiers is ranked sixth. De Villiers, who is referred to as "Mr. 360" due to his ability to hit shots all over the ground, has created some of the most incredible moments in IPL history. His 2015 133 not out off 59 balls against the Mumbai Indians was one such instance. Together with Kohli, de Villiers destroyed MI's bowling, hitting four sixes and 19 fours, including a reverse scoop off Lasith Malinga that stunned the Wankhede Stadium. One of the best stands in the IPL is still that 215-run partnership with Kohli. His 129 off 52 balls against the Gujarat Lions in 2016, which included 12 sixes, including a straight hit off Dwayne, was another memorable knock.
MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings)
With around 5,243 runs to his name (mostly for CSK), MS Dhoni is forever considered to be the finisher of IPL matches. Although his runs could not match the run-getters of the IPL, his finishing prowess in tight situations has stood alone in character and sportsmanship. He showcased that character in 2010, when he delivered a classic performance by scoring an unbeaten 54 runs from only 29 balls against Punjab Kings, including the much-loved helicopter shot off Irfan Pathan, in the final over of an IPL match. For another classic moment in 2019, Dhoni played a brave innings of 70 not out from 34 balls against RCB, where he played the innings responsible for nearly chasing down 161 runs in the final over of the game. Dhoni showed what being a finisher means and how cool he would remain under even the most extreme pressure, both of which are legendary moments in any IPL match.
Chris Gayle (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
The next name on this list is that of Chris Gayle, popularly known as the "Universe Boss," who has around 4,965 runs, mostly earned by playing for RCB. Gayle is known for his IPL legacy in which he scored a record-breaking 175 not out off 66 balls against Pune Warriors back in 2013. This knock, which remains the highest score by an individual in the history of T20s, cannot be overrated for its significance in T20 cricket that associated itself with the IPL. Gayle crushed the opposition along with the batters around him, during that innings between RCB and Pune, at Chinnaswamy Stadium when he smashed 17 sixes out of the 175 runs scored. He hit a monstrous 119 meter six off Aaron Finch and propelled RCB to a score of 263 for 5. Pune completed the match with a measly 133 all out. The obliteration of an opposition for this score in comparison to another team's score is one of the most one-sided games in IPL history. One other legendary moment of Gayle's career is referenced with his 117 off 57 balls against Punjab Kings in 2015, that ultimately led RCB to victory in a must-win game. Gayle hammered 12 sixes as Punjab crumbled to a Gayle-led charge. Gayle's brute strength and ability to take control of a match and lead to victory have made him a seminal figure in the IPL history.
Completing the top 10 are Robin Uthappa at around 4,952 runs, and Gautam Gambhir at around 4,217 runs. Uthappa had a brilliant performance in the 2014 IPL final (for KKR against the Punjab Kings), scoring 86 runs off 48 balls while dispatching seven four's and three sixes off the bat, highlighted by some astonishing boundaries against Mitchell Johnson. With Uthappa's help, KKR chased 199 to become champions. Gambhir, also formerly KKR, scored 75 runs off 56 balls (2012 IPL final vs CSK) during what became KKR's first-ever championship title winning chase of 190 runs. Uthappa and Gambhir can rest in IPL folklore, as their contributions helped their teams become champions.
In conclusion, the top ten run-scorers of the IPL are more than just statistics—they are moments that shaped the legacy of the tournament. From Kohli's marathon chases to Gayle's explosive centuries, each contributed to the rich history of the IPL in their own particular way. Their performances, in both high-stakes playoffs and record-breaking seasons, inspire fans and future cricketers alike.
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