Breaking records: who holds the title for most runs in IPL history?

Since its inception in 2008, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has emerged as the world's best T20 franchise cricket league, showcasing the highest level of talent and competition. Over the years, IPL has elevated the standards of the game, providing a platform for top batsmen to exhibit their skills and deliver extraordinary performances. Through intense rivalries and high-pressure situations, IPL has witnessed remarkable innings from renowned cricketers.

Most runs in IPL history 

Virat Kohli, representing the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), may have never won an IPL trophy, but he is the highest run-scorer in the tournament's history. With an impressive tally of 7444 runs, seven centuries and 50 half centuries, Kohli has been among the most consistent batsmen in IPL history. His crowning moment came during the 2016 season, where he set an unparalleled record of 973 runs, a feat that remains unmatched to this day. 

Southpaw Shikhar Dhawan, who leads the Punjab Kings (PBKS), holds the second position on the list with a remarkable total of 6,684 runs and an average of 35.37.

David Warner stands out as the top run-scorer among overseas players and holds the third position overall. The Australian batsman boasts an impressive record of four centuries and 60 half-centuries in the league. He has clinched the IPL Orange Cap thrice, in 2015, 2017, and 2019. Despite facing a challenging start to the 2021 season and being dropped from the playing XI midway, Warner's talent remains undeniable. In the mega auction preceding IPL 2022, he was acquired by his former franchise, the Delhi Capitals, for INR 6.25 crores.

Rohit Sharma has accumulated 6,280 runs in 240 innings, primarily representing the Mumbai Indians, a franchise he has guided to five IPL titles. His IPL batting resume includes an impressive tally of 42 half-centuries and a solitary century. Ahead of the IPL 2024, Sharma was replaced as the captain of the Mumbai Indians by Hardik Pandya, who was traded by the franchise from Gujarat Titans. 

Most runs in IPL season 

Topping this list is none other than the modern-day cricketing maestro, Kohli, whose remarkable performance in the 2016 season saw him amass a staggering 973 runs, a feat that remains unparalleled in the tournament's history. 

Following closely behind is the talented youngster Shubman Gill, whose sensational batting display in the 2023 season earned him second place with 890 runs to his name.

The third spot is occupied by the explosive English batsman Jos Buttler, who lit up the IPL stage in 2022 with his aggressive stroke play, accumulating a formidable total of 863 runs. 

Not far behind is the dynamic Australian opener David Warner, who showcased his batting prowess in the 2016 season, finishing with an impressive tally of 848 runs. 

Sharing the fifth position are two cricketing behemoths, Mike Hussey and Chris Gayle, both of whom amassed 733 runs in the 2013 and 2012 seasons, respectively. 

Most runs in IPL by a team 

On March 27, Sunrisers Hyderabad etched their name in history by achieving the highest team total in the tournament. They amassed a colossal 277/3 in 20 overs against the Mumbai Indians during match number 8 of IPL 2024 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. Three of their batsmen slammed half-centuries in the match. 

During the 2013 season, RCB unleashed an explosive batting onslaught against the Pune Warriors India. Led by captain Virat Kohli, RCB's batting lineup, spearheaded by Chris Gayle, smashed their way to a staggering total of 263/5. This is now the second-highest team total in IPL history. Gayle's blistering knock of 175 runs off just 66 balls, the highest individual score in IPL history, set the tone for RCB's dominance.

In 2016, RCB featured once again on the list with another remarkable batting performance, this time against the Gujarat Lions. Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers orchestrated a batting masterclass, with Kohli's majestic century (109 runs off 55 balls) and de Villiers' aggressive strokeplay propelling RCB to a formidable total of 248/3.