Who is the Most Dangerous Batsman of IPL History?

Indian Premier League (IPL) has been the conducive environment to rapid growth for extraordinary talents, thrilling moments, and unmatched entertainment. 

Among the many stars that have participated in the tournament, a few batsmen stand out for their ability to dominate the opposition with their power, consistency, and flair. These players may not score heavily but always play important knocks that leave the fans in awe. 

These are some of the most dangerous batsmen in IPL history. In this write-up, we will focus our attention on the stats, performances, and moments of the most dangerous batsmen in IPL.

Top 10 Dangerous Batsman in IPL

In the context of the league, a dangerous batsman in IPL is not just someone who scores runs but does so with an incredible ability to dominate bowlers and bend them to his will. 

There are a few things we have taken into account to select these players. The primary criteria for evaluating such a batsman include strike rate, consistency, power-hitting ability, match impact, and big-match performances.

Now, let’s take a look at the players we’ve selected on this list.

We must start our list with Mr. 360 himself, AB de Villiers. He is regarded as one of the most versatile and innovative batsmen in the history of cricket. Representing mostly Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), de Villiers has enthralled fans with his fanatic ability to hit anywhere on the ground at any time. 

Why is de Villiers Dangerous?

• With over 5000 runs at a strike rate of 151.69, Mr. 360 has been one of the most consistent performers in the league. 
• He is known for abilities to finish games; he has played many match-winning knocks under pressure. 
• He has had many memorable partnerships with Virat Kohli for RCB. These legendary partnerships often resulted in mammoth totals for the team.

The self-proclaimed “Universe Boss,” Chris Gayle is synonymous with destruction in T20 cricket. The powerhouse from Jamaica has been a nightmare for bowlers. 

He has played for multiple IPL franchises including Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Punjab Kings. His impact on the league has been unparalleled. 

Why is Gayle Dangerous?

• He had the highest individual score in the IPL (175 not out) in a match against Pune Warriors India in 2013. He scored the fastest century in the IPL in that inning.
• He is a six-hitting machine. With 357 sixes in IPL, he is miles ahead of everyone. 
• He has the ability to single-handedly turn matches in his team’s favor.

David Warner has been an absolute legend in the IPL and one of the most liked overseas players in India. With 6565 runs, he holds the record for most runs by a foreign batsman in India. Warner also has the most runs in the IPL by a foreign player. We can easily categorize him as the most dangerous batsman in the IPL. 

He played for Delhi initially but showed his true power with Sunrisers Hyderabad. He led the Hyderabad team to an IPL trophy in 2016. 

Why is Warner Dangerous?

• Warner is the only player in the IPL to win the Orange Cup three times. He has been one of the most consistent players in the tournament. 
• He always provided his team with an aggressive start in the powerplay to set the tone. 
• He led SRH to an IPL title in 2016.

Virat’s “The Run machine” Kohli is synonymous with consistency. He is also known as the King of IPL as well. 

As the highest run scorer in IPL, Kohli has been the backbone of the RCB batting for years. He is the most dangerous batsman of IPL and is highly prized by opponents who can single-handedly change the course of a match. 

He has scored more than 8000 runs in IPL history at a strike rate of 131.97. In 252 matches he averages 38.66 and has an impressive record of 55 half centuries and 8 centuries. 

Why is Kohli Dangerous?

• In the 2016 IPL season, he scored a staggering 973 runs. His tally of runs included four centuries, the most by any batter in a season. 
• He is known as the chase master for his ability to anchor chase and score under pressure. 
• His longevity in the IPL over the 17 seasons highlights his class and determination.

Andre Russell, another Caribbean superstar, has often set the IPL stage alight with his power-packed performance. Russell started his IPL career with Delhi, however, his time with Kolkata proved to be the most fruitful for him. A career strike rate of 174.93 is what makes him the most dangerous batsman of IPL. 

Why is Russell Dangerous?

• Russell boasts a career strike rate of 174.93, the highest among the players with significant runs in the league. 
• Russell has a knack for hitting sixes at will; his 52 sixes in the 2019 season is still a record. 
• His ability to quickly score runs in the death overs makes him a dangerous batsman in IPL.

If you have been watching Indian cricket, then you must have heard about the abilities of MS Dhoni. His calm demeanor and ability to finish off matches make him the most dangerous batsman in IPL. He has already proven to be the best finisher in IPL history. 

Ha has also proven to be the best captain in IPL. Dhoni has won the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) five titles.

Why is Dhoni Dangerous?

• He is a finishing maestro. His ability to chase down targets in the death overs is unmatched. 
• He is a big-match player and has delivered in numerous playoff and final matches. 
• His career strike rate of 135.15 doesn’t fully capture his explosive performances in crucial moments of the game.

Rohit Sharma, another Indian legend, is also in the running for IPL’s most dangerous batsman. He is truly a champion player made for big matches. He has been the core of Mumbai batting for so many years now. 

He has a decent strike rate of 131.14. He has changed the face of the Mumbai side with his sharp leadership skills. Rohit leads from the front whenever Mumbai requires, and that is why he is the most dangerous batsman in IPL. 

Why is Sharma Dangerous?

• Helped his team in winning 5 IPL trophies as a captain and premier batter. 
• He has a knack for hitting long sixes whenever the ball is in his arc. He is second on the list of most sixes in the IPL history after Chris Gayle. 
• He has scored more than 6600 runs in IPL with an average of 29.72.

Suresh Raina has been the rock of Chennai Super Kings for more than a decade. He has been the most trusted lieutenant of MS Dhoni. Suresh Raina, now retired and known as Mr. IPL, is the most consistent batter for Chennai. 

He is one of the few players to have featured in 200 IPL matches and accumulated 5528 runs at a strike rate of 136.73.

Why is Raina Dangerous?

• His ability to anchor and create an impactful inning in the middle overs made him a dangerous batsman in the IPL. 
• His consistency over the years in IPL is unmatched.

Kieron Pollard, the West Indian bulldozer, has been the mainstay of Mumbai since he started to play in the IPL. He is someone who can effortlessly pummel top bowlers over the boundary with ease. 

So, if you are asked “Who is the most dangerous batsman of IPL history,” you can easily take Pollard’s name. He has been a key contributor in every edition of the IPL Mumbai won. 

Why is Pollard Dangerous?

• Pollard has made 3412 runs in 189 matches at a strike rate of 147.32. 
• Mumbai Indians could always depend on him to finish games for them with his big hitting.

Glenn Maxwell is a freak of nature who likes to play unorthodox cricket. He can play every shot in the book and make some new ones as well. Whenever he plays; teammates, fans, and cricket lovers are left frustrated due to his choice of shots. 

However, he is easily the most dangerous batsman in IPL history. Because he can cause mayhem on the field if he stays in the crease for 400-odd deliveries. 

Why is Maxwell Dangerous?

• His style of play makes him a dangerous player. 
• He is a modern-day destroyer who can make any bowler forget their line and length.

Conclusion

The IPL has been a platform for batsmen to showcase their talent and redefine the art of batting in T20 cricket. All the players in this list have contributed heavily to their teams with special match-winning knocks. 

That’s the beauty of IPL, it brings brilliance and unpredictability to its players. This ensures that there is a new hero every season.

Who do you think is the most dangerous batsman of IPL history? Do share your thoughts on this.

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