From the start of IPL in 2008, It has attracted cricketers from across the globe to showcase their talent in the biggest T20 League in the world. IPL provides players across different cricketing countries with the opportunity to make a name and also earn big bucks.
There have been several players who have made a mark by their performances. Though it’s the Indian batsmen, who are at the top of the highest run-getters chart, with Virat Kohli being the leading run-scorer, in this article, we would like to look at the top 5 Overseas players with most runs in the history of IPL.
5. Kieron Pollard – 3412 runs (171 innings)
The Mumbai Indians all-rounder, who has been around since 2010, is among the few players who have been part of the same team throughout their IPL career. With more than 3000 runs and 69 wickets, Kieron Pollard has been an asset for Mumbai Indians side for the last 13 years, which included 5 championship seasons.
Pollard’s highest knock of 87 not out came as a match-winning knock against MI’s arch-rivals CSK in 2021. He boasts a strike rate of 147 with 16 half-centuries to his name.
4. Shane Watson – 3874 runs (141 innings)
The Aussie all-rounder stands 4th on this list. Watson was the most sought-after player in his heydays due to his ability with bat and ball. He spent a big part of his IPL career playing for Rajasthan Royals and then shifted to RCB for a few seasons. In his final three seasons, from 2018 to 2020, Watson played for Chennai Super Kings.
Watson’s highest score in IPL is 117* against SRH, and his IPL career strike rate is 137.91. He also ranks in the top 5 list of batsmen who has the most runs against SRH. Watson was crucial for CSK in both IPL 2018 & 2019 finals.
3. Chris Gayle – 4965 runs (141 innings)
A T20 legend for sure. There is no one as frightening sight on a cricket field than Christopher Henry Gayle with his bat in hand. Gayle is the 3rd highest run-scorer by a foreigner in the IPL. Gayle also holds the record for scoring the most number of centuries in IPL along with hitting the maximum number of sixes. The universe boss is not associated with any IPL team currently.
Gayle’s IPL career strike rate is 148.96, and his highest score in the IPL is 175* against Pune Warriors India, which is also the highest individual run in the T20 format. When in the mood he is a complete entertainer with the bat in hand.
2. AB De Villiers – 5162 runs (170 innings)
The former South African skipper is considered to be the most limitless batsman of his generation. De Villiers played for RCB and stands 2nd on the all-time highest run-scorer by a foreigner in the IPL. AB De Villiers has the best strike for a batsman with more than 3000 runs; his IPL career Strike rate is 151.68. De Villiers highest score in IPL is 133* against Mumbai Indians.
De Villiers is named MR. 360 because of his ability to score runs all around the park, and he is also considered one of the complete batsmen of the modern age.
1. David Warner – 5881 runs (162 innings)
Warner is the highest run-scorer(foreigner) in the history of IPL. Warner has the best batting average for a batsman with more than 5000 runs in the IPL. The Aussie also holds the record for scoring a maximum number of half-centuries in the IPL history. He has scored 54 half-centuries.
Warner has played for two teams: Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals. Find Warner’s year-wise and teamwise records in IPL here.
The southpaw’s highest score in the IPL is 126 scored against KKR, and his IPL career strike rate is 140.69. Since his return to international cricket after the ban, he has been in great form especially in white-ball cricket. Warner has also led SRH to an IPL win in 2016 where SRH beat RCB in the final. Now, he plays for Delhi Capitals and will provide a tough challenge Virat Kohli’s runs tally in the tournament.
