Top 10 Most Dangerous Batsmen in IPL History (2008 to 2025)
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been home to some of the most devastating batting talent in world cricket. From towering sixes to unforgettable chases, each season has seen explosive performances, and at the centre of it all has been the batsman. Over the years, many names have emerged and are known not just for their scoring prowess but also for how they change the game with their power.
A look at the top 10 most dangerous batsmen in IPL history, players who have left bowlers helpless and fans amazed.
1. Virat Kohli
IPL Career Stats:
- Matches: 267
- Runs: 8661
- Average: 39.54
- Strike Rate: 132.85
- Highest Score: 113*
- 100: 8
- 50: 63
Virat Kohli is perhaps one of the most dangerous batsmen in the IPL. He has scored the most runs in the league and is the only batsman to cross the 8000-run mark.
With eight centuries and 63 half-centuries, Kohli holds the record for both the most centuries and most half-centuries in the tournament. His 291 sixes place him among the top three six-hitters in IPL history.
Consistency has been his trademark. He has scored more than 600 runs in each of the last three seasons. In 2025, he scored 657 runs in 15 matches at an average of 54.75, including eight half-centuries. But his best year was 2016, when he scored 973 runs in 16 matches at a blistering strike rate of 152.03. Apart from this, he also has a record of four centuries and seven half-centuries to his name. Kohli’s ability to chase down totals under pressure and play anchor innings makes him a nightmare for bowlers.
2. AB de Villiers
IPL Career Stats:
- Matches: 184
- Runs: 5162
- Average: 39.70
- Strike Rate: 151.68
- Highest Score: 133*
- 100: 3
- 50: 40
AB de Villiers, fondly known as Mr 360, is one of the most complete and entertaining batsmen to ever grace the IPL. Known for his ability to play shots from all sides of the field, de Villiers can thwart any bowling attack with a blend of power and composure under pressure.
His highest IPL score came against Mumbai Indians in 2015 when he scored an unbeaten 133 off just 59 balls. During his career with Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore, de Villiers scored 5162 runs at a strike rate of 151.68. He scored three centuries and 40 half-centuries before retiring in 2021.
3. Jos Buttler
IPL career statistics:
- Matches: 121
- Runs: 4120
- Average: 40.00
- Strike rate: 149.38
- Highest score: 124
- 100: 7
- 50: 24
Jos Buttler has been one of the most dangerous overseas players in IPL history. He made his name with RR, where he won the Orange Cap in 2022 by scoring 863 runs in 17 matches. Later, Buttler joined Gujarat Titans in 2025 and continued to excel.
In his debut season for GT, Buttler scored 538 runs in 13 matches at a strike rate of 163.03, including five half-centuries. His ability to attack from the first ball and bowl quickly in the death overs makes him invaluable.
Buttler is among the players who have scored the most centuries in the tournament. His blend of classical English technique and fearless T20 aggression makes him one of the most lethal openers.
4. Chris Gayle
IPL career statistics:
- Matches: 142
- Runs: 4965
- Average: 39.72
- Strike rate: 148.96
- Highest score: 175*
- 100: 6
- 50: 31
Chris Gayle is the original Universe Boss of IPL. His brute strength and ability to clear the ropes at will made him one of the most fearsome batsmen during his prime.
He is the only batsman to score 175* in T20 cricket, a landmark innings for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2013. Gayle was also the first player to hit 300 sixes in the IPL and remains the all-time leader in maximum runs.
In his IPL career spanning 142 matches, Gayle scored 4965 runs, including six centuries and 31 half-centuries. Even though he last played in 2021, his legacy as one of the most dangerous batsmen of all time remains intact.
5. Travis Head
IPL Career Stats:
- Matches: 38
- Runs: 1146
- Average: 34.72
- Strike Rate: 170.02
- Highest Score: 102
- 100: 1
- 50: 8
Travis Head’s aggressive style has made him one of the most talked about T20 batsmen of the modern era. His breakthrough came in the IPL season 2024 with Sunrisers Hyderabad. In that match, he scored 567 runs in 15 games at an average of 40.50 and an amazing strike rate of 191.55.
He scored a century and four half-centuries in that season, and set a record for the best strike rate among players with 550+ runs in a single edition.
With 1146 runs in 38 matches so far at a strike rate of 170.02, Head continues to build a reputation as one of the most dangerous IPL batsmen of the new era.
6. Abhishek Sharma
IPL Career Stats:
- Matches: 77
- Runs: 1816
- Average: 27.10
- Strike Rate: 163.01
- Highest Score: 141
- 100: 1
- 50: 9
Abhishek Sharma is one of the brightest young Indian stars in the IPL. Known for his explosive batting at the top, he has made headlines with his consistency in the last two seasons.
In 2024, he scored 484 runs at a strike rate of 204.21, followed by 439 runs at an average of 193.39 in 2025. He also scored his maiden century in 2025.
Abhishek’s rise in the IPL has earned him a place in the Indian national team, where he has scored two centuries in 17 T20 matches. With over 4000 T20 runs and a strike rate of over 160, he is establishing himself as one of the most dangerous batsmen in the format.
7. Shreyas Iyer
IPL career stats:
- Matches: 133
- Runs: 3731
- Average: 34.22
- Strike rate: 133.34
- Highest score: 97*
- 100: 0
- 50: 27
Shreyas Iyer is one of the most reliable Indian batsmen in the IPL. In 2025, he led Punjab Kings to the final, becoming the first captain to lead three different franchises to the IPL final.
In that season, he scored 604 runs in 17 matches at a strike rate of 175.07. This was the first time he scored more than 600 runs and maintained a strike rate of over 150.
His ability to anchor the innings when needed makes him a dangerous middle-order option. His batting skills and his leadership qualities further add to his impact.
8. Mitchell Marsh
IPL career stats:
- Matches: 55
- Runs: 1292
- Average: 27.48
- Strike rate: 142.92
- Highest score: 117
- 100s: 1
- 50s: 9
After years of mixed success, Mitchell Marsh finally showed his full potential with the Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025. He scored 627 runs in 13 matches at an average of 48.23 and a strike rate of 163.70, becoming LSG’s highest run-scorer in a single season.
Marsh scored a century and six half-centuries, dominating both pacers and spinners. With over 5000 T20 runs worldwide, Marsh’s consistency has made him one of the most dangerous performers in the modern IPL.
9. Rohit Sharma
IPL career stats:
- Matches: 272
- Runs: 7046
- Average: 29.73
- Strike rate: 132.09
- Highest score: 109*
- 100: 2
- 50: 47
The hitman, Rohit Sharma, is one of the most iconic names in IPL history. With 7046 runs, he is the second highest run-scorer in the league.
Apart from his batting, Rohit is also one of the most successful captains, having led Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles. As a batsman, his ability to turn games around with explosive starts or consistent chases makes him extremely dangerous.
With two centuries and 47 half-centuries in the IPL, Rohit’s record speaks for itself. He has over 12,000 runs to his name globally in T20 cricket, making him a legend in the format.
10. Nicholas Pooran
IPL Career Stats:
- Matches: 90
- Runs: 2293
- Average: 34.22
- Strike Rate: 168.97
- Highest Score: 87*
- 100: 0
- 50: 14
Nicholas Pooran has built a reputation as one of the most devastating finishers in world T20 cricket. Known for his ability to clear the ropes, Pooran had his best IPL season in 2025, scoring 524 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 196.25.
He hit five half-centuries that year and topped six of the hitting charts. Since 2024, Pooran has scored over 3000 T20 runs at an average of 40.03 and a strike rate of over 160.
His aggressive intent and match-winning ability make him one of the most feared overseas batsmen in the IPL.
FAQs
Q1. Who is the most dangerous batsman in IPL history?
Virat Kohli tops the list as the most dangerous IPL batsman due to his 8661 runs, eight centuries and consistency throughout the season. However, experienced players like AB de Villiers and Rohit Sharma also stand out for their power and match-winning ability.
Q2. Which batsman has scored the most centuries in IPL?
Virat Kohli holds the record with 8 centuries in IPL history. Jos Buttler (7) and Chris Gayle (6) come after him, which proves how influential these players have been over the years.
Q3. Who has hit the most sixes in IPL?
The undisputed king of sixes is Chris Gayle, who has hit more than 350 sixes in his IPL career. Even after retirement, no batsman has been able to surpass him.
