Players with the Most Runs in a Single IPL Season: The Indian Premier League (IPL) is famous for big teams totals. Players have scored lots of runs, making big totals and setting records.
Players with the Most Runs in a Single IPL Season
Today, let’s look at the top 10 players who scored the most runs in one season of the IPL.
1. Virat Kohli (2016 – RCB)
- Matches: 16
- Innings: 16
- Not Out: 4
- Total Runs: 973
- Highest Score: 113
- Average: 81.08
- Ball Faced: 640
- Strike Rate: 152.03
- 100: 4
- 50: 7
- 0: 1
- 4s: 83
- 6s: 38
In the 2016 IPL season, Virat Kohli played exceptionally well for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. He started with a score of 75 runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad. He even scored a century against Gujarat Lions, although his team lost that match.
In the next few matches, Kohli played brilliantly. He scored another century against Rising Pune Supergiant and formed a huge partnership with AB de Villiers against Gujarat Lions. His consistent performances helped Bangalore qualify for the playoffs.
Throughout the season, Kohli scored a total of 973 runs in 16 matches. He was named the Most Valuable Player and received the Orange Cap for being the tournament’s highest run-scorer.
However, despite his efforts, Bangalore couldn’t win the final match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, falling short by 8 runs.
2. Shubman Gill (2023 – GT)
- Matches: 17
- Innings: 17
- Not Out: 2
- Total Runs: 890
- Highest Score: 129
- Average: 59.33
- Ball Faced: 564
- Strike Rate: 157.8
- 100: 3
- 50: 4
- 0: 1
- 4s: 85
- 6s: 33
In the 2023 IPL season, Shubman Gill had an outstanding performance for the Gujarat Titans. He scored a total of 890 runs, making him the second-highest run-scorer in a single IPL season and earning him the prestigious Orange Cap.
Gill showed his batting ability by becoming only the fourth player to score back-to-back centuries in IPL history. He scored 101 runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad and an unbeaten 104 runs against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
One of Gill’s remarkable moments came in Qualifier 2 against Mumbai Indians, where he smashed 129 runs off just 60 balls. This was not only the highest individual score of the season but also the highest-ever score in an IPL playoff match. His performance earned him the record for the second-most centuries in an IPL season, with a total of three centuries.
Despite Gill’s exceptional batting, his team, the Gujarat Titans, couldn’t clinch the title. They reached the final for the third consecutive time but faced defeat against the MSD Chennai Super Kings.
3. Jos Buttler (2022 – RR)
- Matches: 17
- Innings: 17
- Not Out: 2
- Total Runs: 863
- Highest Score: 116
- Average: 57.53
- Ball Faced: 579 4 4 – 83 45
- Strike Rate: 149.05
- 100: 4
- 50: 4
- 0: –
- 4s: 83
- 6s: 45
Jos Buttler, representing the Rajasthan Royals in the 2022 IPL season, exhibited exceptional batting skills. He became the first overseas player and only the second player in IPL history, after Virat Kohli, to score four centuries in a single edition.
Buttler’s aggressive style saw him scoring centuries against Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Delhi Capitals, setting the tournament alight with his explosive performances. In the final, he contributed 39 runs to his team’s efforts.
By the end of the season, Buttler had amassed a total of 863 runs, securing the second-highest run tally in IPL history, surpassing David Warner’s previous record. His remarkable achievements earned him the Orange Cap for the highest run-scorer, as well as awards for being the most valuable player of the season and leading in the categories of most sixes and most fours in the 2022 edition.
Buttler’s exceptional contributions played a pivotal role in Rajasthan Royals’ campaign, solidifying his status as one of the premier batsmen in the IPL.
4. David Warner (2016 – SRH)
- Matches: 17
- Innings: 17
- Not Out: 3
- Total Runs: 848
- Highest Score: 93*
- Average: 60.57
- Ball Faced: 560
- Strike Rate: 151.42
- 100: –
- 50: 9
- 0: 1
- 4s: 88
- 6s: 31
David Warner, known for his explosive left-handed batting, has made significant contributions to cricket, notably with the Australian national team and in the IPL. Despite lacking experience in first-class cricket, Warner made history as the first Australian in over a century to be selected for the national team across all formats.
In the IPL, Warner has been a standout performer, amassing over 6,000 runs and clinching the Orange Cap award for the highest run-scorer in a season on three occasions. Leading the Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016, he guided the team to their maiden championship victory, showcasing his leadership skills.
Warner’s exceptional season saw him score 848 runs, securing the second-highest tally in the tournament. His consistent performances continued in 2017, where he smashed 126 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders, surpassing his previous highest IPL score.
Warner finished the season as the leading run-scorer once again, earning him the Orange Cap for the second time.
5. Kane Williamson (2018 – SRH)
- Matches: 17
- Innings: 17
- Not Out: 3
- Total Runs: 735
- Highest Score: 84
- Average: 52.5
- Ball Faced: 516
- Strike Rate: 142.44
- 100: –
- 50: 8
- 0: 1
- 4s: 63
- 6s: 28
Kane Williamson, renowned for his exceptional batting skills and leadership, is hailed as one of the finest contemporary cricketers from New Zealand. He has been a pivotal figure in leading the New Zealand cricket team and is widely considered the greatest batsman and captain the country has ever produced.
Notably, he led New Zealand to victory in the 2021 ICC World Test Championship final.
In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Williamson signed with the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in February 2015. He played a crucial role in the team’s title victory in the 2016 season and continued to represent them in the subsequent seasons, even taking over the captaincy from David Warner in 2018.
Under his leadership, SRH finished as runners-up, with Williamson emerging as the season’s leading run-scorer with 735 runs.
6. Chris Gayle (2012 – RCB)
- Matches: 15
- Innings: 14
- Not Out: 2 733
- Total Runs: 733
- Highest Score: 128*
- Average: 61.08
- Ball Faced: 456
- Strike Rate: 160.74
- 100: 1
- 50: 7
- 0: –
- 4s: 46
- 6s: 59
Chris Gayle, famously known as “The Universe Boss,” is celebrated as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of Twenty20 cricket. His extraordinary talent has been instrumental in the success of the West Indies cricket team, notably in winning the ICC Champions Trophy in 2004 and the ICC World Twenty20 tournaments in 2012 and 2016.
Gayle holds the unique distinction of being the only player to achieve centuries in T20 Internationals, double centuries in One Day Internationals, and a triple century in Test cricket.
During the 2012 IPL season, Gayle’s prowess was on full display as he dominated the tournament with explosive batting. He smashed the most sixes, a staggering 59 in total, and was a top contender for the Orange Cap, awarded to the highest run-scorer in the league.
Gayle’s remarkable performance saw him amass 733 runs in just 14 matches, showcasing his sheer dominance with the bat throughout the season.
7. Michael Hussey (2023 – CSK)
- Matches: 17
- Innings: 17
- Not Out: 3
- Total Runs: 733
- Highest Score: 95
- Average: 52.35
- Ball Faced: 566
- Strike Rate: 129.5
- 100: –
- 50: 6
- 0: –
- 4s: 81
- 6s: 17
Mike Hussey, affectionately known as ‘Mr. Cricket’, made a significant impact in both Australian and international cricket. Despite debuting relatively late in both one-day internationals and Test cricket, he amassed an impressive record with over 15,000 first-class runs before his Test debut.
Hussey was a key member of the Australian team, contributing to multiple ICC titles including the 2007 Cricket World Cup and two ICC Champions Trophy victories in 2006 and 2009.
In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Hussey showcased his batting skills while representing Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians. He became the second player to score a century in the IPL, achieving an unbeaten 116 for Chennai against Kings XI Punjab in 2008. Hussey tasted success with Chennai as they clinched the title in 2010. He consistently performed well in subsequent seasons, finishing as the fifth-highest run-scorer in 2011 and topping the charts with 733 runs in 2013, equaling the record for most runs in a single IPL season.
Despite a stint with Mumbai Indians in 2014, Hussey returned to Chennai the following season, further demonstrating his value as a dependable batsman in the IPL.
8. Faf Du Plessis (2023 – RCB)
- Matches: 14
- Innings: 14
- Not Out: 1
- Total Runs: 730
- Highest Score: 84
- Average: 56.15
- Ball Faced: 475
- Strike Rate: 153.68
- 100: –
- 50: 8
- 0: –
- 4s: 60
- 6s: 36
Faf du Plessis is a famous cricket player known for his excellent fielding and batting skills. He’s also praised for his smart thinking during games and his ability to lead teams. Right now, he’s the captain of several cricket teams in different leagues. He leads Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League, Joburg Super Kings in SA20, Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket, and Saint Lucia Kings in the Caribbean Premier League.
Du Plessis made history in 2015 by becoming the first South African cricketer to score centuries in all game formats. His remarkable achievements were further considered when he was awarded the title of South African Cricketer of the Year in 2019.
In a standout IPL season, du Plessis finished as the eighth-highest run-scorer, accumulating a total of 730 runs.
Du Plessis’ exceptional skills as a player and leader have cemented his status as one of the most respected and complete cricketers of his era.
9. Chris Gayle (2013 – RCB)
- Matches: 16 4
- Innings: 16
- Not Out: 4
- Total Runs: 708
- Highest Score: 175*
- Average: 59
- Ball Faced: 453
- Strike Rate: 156.29
- 100: 1
- 50: 4
- 0: –
- 4s: 57
- 6s: 51
Chris Gayle, renowned for his explosive batting style, holds numerous records across all formats of cricket. He is the most capped player for the West Indies in international cricket and the only player to achieve a unique triple century in Tests, a double century in ODIs, and a century in T20Is.
Gayle’s dominance in T20 cricket is unparalleled, as he is the only player to amass over 14,000 runs and hit more than 1,000 sixes in this format.
In the 2013 IPL season, Gayle showcased his batting prowess with remarkable performances. In a match against Mumbai Indians, he scored an unbeaten 92 runs from just 58 balls, guiding his team to victory and earning the man of the match award. However, it was his sensational innings against Pune Warriors India that etched his name in cricketing history. With an astonishing individual score of 175 not out off 66 balls, Gayle set multiple records including the fastest century in any format of cricket.
Gayle’s extraordinary achievements solidified his reputation as one of the most formidable batsmen in T20 cricket.
10. David Warner (2019 – SRH)
- Matches: 12
- Innings: 12
- Not Out: 2
- Total Runs: 692
- Highest Score: 100*
- Average: 69.2
- Ball Faced: 481
- Strike Rate: 143.86
- 100: 1
- 50: 8
- 0: –
- 4s: 57
- 6s: 21
David Warner, a key figure in Australian cricket, played pivotal roles in various triumphant campaigns including the 2015 Cricket World Cup and the 2021 T20 World Cup where he was named the Player of the Tournament. He was also part of the victorious Australian squads in the 2021–2023 ICC World Test Championship and the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup.
In the IPL, Warner’s journey had its ups and downs. After being reinstated as captain for the 2018 season, he faced challenges following a ball-tampering controversy in South Africa. Consequently, he stepped down from the captaincy and was banned by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from participating in the season.
However, Warner returned to the team in 2019 with a bang, scoring 85 runs in his first match and following it up with an unbeaten century against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Despite leaving the team midway due to Australia’s World Cup preparations, Warner finished the season as the leading run-scorer with 692 runs, showcasing his exceptional batting prowess.
