Who is the King of IPL?

| Posted on May 26, 2023

Over the past decade or so, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has grown from strength to strength. It has become one of the best leagues in any form of sports league. IPL has become the second most expensive league in the world only behind the NFL in terms of per-match broadcast value.

One of the major factors for the rise of this league is the players who give their heart and soul to entertain the audience. We’ve seen players from all across the world performing in IPL and entertaining the public. The fans revere their favorite stars and often wonder who is the “King of IPL”.

Therefore, the title of “King of IPL” is subjective and open to interpretation. However, in this article, I will try and give my best to analyze the title “King of IPL” and give you something to ponder about. 

Let’s get started!!

Which cricketer is the king of the IPL?

As we’ve mentioned earlier, this title is subjective, so different people will interpret different cricket personalities as their “King of IPL.”

We will check out the names of cricketing superstars mentioned above who’ve made a significant mark on the IPL auction

Let’s analyze some of these names and explore some reasons why they are considered champion players and potential contenders for the “King of IPL” title. 

Virat Kohli (King Kohli) 

Virat

Virat Kohli is one of the most popular cricketers in the world and has earned the nickname King Kohli from fans for his on-field performances and exceptional character. 

He has an aggressive and dominating batting style and has an impressive batting record and is one of the most dangerous batsman in IPL. Including the most runs in IPL history. Let’s look at why he is granted this title. 

  • Demonstrating an exceptional set of skills as a batsman
  • Aggressive and dominating batting style
  • Led RCB for many years
  • Admired by fans and contemporaries
  • Known for his work ethic, determination, and fitness
  • A role model for aspiring cricketers

Virat Kohli’s Stats in IPL

  • Runs: 7263 in 229 innings
  • IPL Title Victories as a Player: None
  • IPL Title Victories as a Captain: None
  • Orange Cap: 1 time in 2016

Rohit Sharma (Hitman)

Rohit

Rohit Sharma is the best opener in the world and a player of high caliber, grit, and determination and has been a key player for one of the most dangerous teams in IPL, Mumbai Indians. The ability to play high-quality shots against any bowler shows how talented he is. 

Although he has a laid-back attitude off the field, he is known to bring a lot of energy to the field. 

He can be considered the “King of IPL” because of the following reasons. 

  • He has led Mumbai Indians to five IPL trophies
  • He has the fourth-highest runs in IPL history
  • In big matches, he performs like a king
  • He is a versatile batsman who can adjust his game according to situations
  • He is a good leader, and everyone on the team respects him for that

Rohit Sharma’s Stats in IPL

  • Runs: 6211 in 238 innings
  • IPL Title Victories as a Player: 6 times in 2009, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020
  • IPL Title Victories as a Captain: 5 times in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020
  • Orange Cap: None

MS Dhoni (Thala)

Dhoni

In IPL, MS is known as Thala, a Tamil word which means Leader. He is respected by all his peers and has been part of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) since its inception. 

Today, we will look at some reasons why he is considered the king of cricket in IPL.

  • He won three IPL trophies for CSK.
  • Known for a cool, calm, and composed head, even in high-pressure situations.
  • He has led CSK to Playoffs in 11 out of 13 seasons he has captained them.
  • He has 5000 plus runs in IPL and features in the top 10 among most run-getters in IPL.
  • Known for some exceptional glove work and taking some of the finest catches.

A cool head, leadership skills, and on-field performances make him one of the most successful players in the history of IPL. 

MS Dhoni’s Stats in IPL

  • Runs: 5082 in 218 innings
  • IPL Title Victories as a Player: 5 times in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023
  • IPL Title Victories as a Captain: 5 times in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023
  • Orange Cap: None

Ab de Villiers (Mr 360)

Abd

IPL has seen many foreign players, but AB de Villiers is built differently. He has been conducting consistently since he was part of the RCB setup.

With exceptional batting skills, versatility, consistency, and innovative shots, ABD has been one of the standouts in the IPL. Here are some reasons why?

  • He has been known to play big shots all around the ground (hence the name)
  • He has been a versatile player and can bat anywhere in the batting order
  • He has been known for his consistency, performing every season
  • He has helped his team to win some crucial matches with out-of-this-world performances
  • He has been known to play innovative shots in every corner, which are a treat to watch for the fans
  • The popularity of ABD is on another level in IPL

All these factors make AB de Villiers one of the most important players and the “King of IPL.” 

AB de Villiers’s Stats in IPL

  • Runs: 5162 in 170 innings
  • IPL Title Victories as a Player: None
  • IPL Title Victories as a Captain: None
  • Orange Cap: None

Chris Gayle (Universe Boss)

Chris Gayle

Another name on the list is Chris Gayle, a Caribbean superstar. He is called the Universe Boss for his unmatched aura and performances. 

In IPL, Chris Gayle has given exceptional performances for every team he has been a part of, especially RCB because he played most of the cricket in IPL for RCB. 

So, it’s not wrong to call him the “King of IPL.” Here is a rundown of some of the reasons why?

  • Power hitting has been his forte; he’s hit most sixes in IPL history
  • He has approx. 5000 runs in IPL, which is quite an achievement
  • He has always been an impact player for any team he’s been within IPL
  • His off-the-field personality and charisma are something fans love
  • Despite being a power hitter, he can play according to the situation

Chris Gayle’s Stats in IPL

  • Runs: 4965 in 141 innings
  • IPL Title Victories as a Player: None
  • IPL Title Victories as a Captain: None
  • Orange Cap: None

Lasith Malinga (Slinga Malinga)

Malinga

One of the leading wicket-takers in the tournament, Lasith Malinga, is one of the few great players to have played in the IPL. 

His toe-crushing Yorkers have made a lasting impression on the tournament. Due to his unusual action, his variations, Yorkers, and slower balls were threatening to players and make him the most dangerous bowler in IPL history

Here are some reasons why he is considered one of the best IPL players:

  • He is known for his deadly bowling variations
  • His death over bowling was incomparable
  • He was a big match performer with a knack for picking wickets in big matches
  • His presence alone in a team could make an impact on the match
  • With his experience and knowledge of the game, he has been a mentor for young kids

Lasith Malinga’s Stats in IPL

  • Wickets: 170 in 122 innings
  • IPL Title Victories as a Player: 4 times in 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019
  • IPL Title Victories as a Captain: None
  • Purple Cap: 1 time in 2011

Which Team is the King of IPL

Rohit leading

In terms of teams, I can name many, but in this article, I will list my favorite. As a fan, I love and envy Mumbai Indians (MI).

They are quite evidently the best franchise in IPL with five titles. They have won the championship titles under the able leadership of Rohit Sharma, which even raised demands to replace Virat as the Captain for India.

Mumbai Indians are the most consistent and successful team in the IPL. They’ve won the best cricket league five times, which is more than any other team in IPL history.

Here are some reasons why MI are considered the “Kings of IPL”:

  • Mumbai always invests in young talents, and they perform well for their team.
  • With Rohit Sharma as their captain, Mumbai has a capable leader who has the ability to make strategic decisions.
  • They have a reputation for performing well in big matches.
  • One of the best things about Mumbai is its support staff, including Sachin Tendulkar, Lasith Malinga, and more.
  • And as always, they are a consistent bunch of guys with great support from fans.

Concluding Remarks

To conclude this article, these are some of the champion cricket players in the world, who have had an impactful career. They played a significant role in shaping the IPL into what it is today. 

In my list, these players were crowned as the “King of IPL.” However, your list may look different, as we’ve stated earlier that this title is subjective and open to interpretation. But in terms of the team, I can say that Mumbai Indians should be a unanimous choice.

We would love to hear your thoughts on this topic and your personal choices for the “King of IPL.” Share your list in the comments, and let’s start a discussion!

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