5 best Australian batsmen in IPL

Australian batsmen have played a crucial role in IPL right since the first season. Be it Michael Hussey's class for Chennai Super Kings, Adam Gilchrist's blitzkrieg for Deccan Chargers or even Shaun Marsh's calming influence on Kings XI Punjab, many batsmen from Down Under have proven to be invaluable assets for their respective franchises. Here, we present 5 such batsmen from Australia, who with their unrivalled prowess with the willow, have managed to make a mark for themselves in IPL over the years.

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#5 Michael Hussey

Michael Hussey proved to be a brilliant buy for both CSK and MI

The name Michael Hussey is synonymous with a consistency of the highest level, and IPL witnessed nothing different. The southpaw piled on runs in each season and emerged as one his franchise's top performers.

Hussey, who represented Chennai Super Kings from 2008-2013, played a key role in shouldering the top order responsibilities. While the inaugural edition saw him score a century on his maiden appearance in the tournament, the sixth edition had him being honoured with the orange cap for coming out as the season's leading run scorer with 733 runs. In fact, Mr. Cricket's heroics as the team's opening batsmen, helped CSK lift the title in 2010 and 2011.

The man from Western Australia represented Mumbai Indians in 2014 before returning to Chennai in 2015 for his final season.

Hussey amassed 1977 runs in 59 IPL games with an impressive average and strike rate of 38.76 and 122.64 respectively.

#4 Adam Gilchrist

Adam Gilchrist put up an inspired show to help his franchise lift the trophy in 2009

Arguably one of the most devastating opening batsmen the game has ever seen, Adam Gilchrist left an indelible mark on IPL. While his breathtaking century against Mumbai Indians was the only glimmer in a rather dismal inaugural season for Deccan Chargers, his inspired show in the second season led the franchise to be crowned as the champions.

In fact, his onslaught against Delhi Daredevils in the semi-final of the second season is considered to be one of the top knocks in the tournament's history.

Thrilling the crowds with his trademark dominance with the bat, Gilly, as he's fondly called, represented Deccan Chargers for the first three seasons before moving to Kings XI Punjab.

In a total of 80 matches, he played during his six-year IPL career, Gilchrist scored 2069 runs at a stunning strike rate of 138.39. The former Australian wicket-keeper also has two centuries in the tournament to his credit.

#3 Shaun Marsh

Shaun Marsh proved to be a key component of the KXIP squad over the years

Shaun Marsh's exploits for Kings XI Punjab in the first edition of the IPL soon earned him a national call-up. Giving a glimpse of his prowess with the bat, the left-handed batsman tore apart the bowling attacks of all the franchises as he propelled the Kings to the knockout stage of the competition. The Aussie middle-order batsman even holds the distinction of the being the holder of the first orange cap.

In a team that seldom boasted of a star-studded batting line-up, Shaun Marsh proved to be the knight in shining armour on many occasions. In 71 matches played thus far, Marsh has aggregated 2477 runs at a solid average of 39.95 and even has a blistering century to his name.

A key component in KXIP's journey over the past decade, Marsh, unfortunately, went unsold in this year's auction. An unlikely turn of events might, however, see him being named as an addition to any of the franchises.

#2 Shane Watson

Shane Watson is one of the most consistent players in the tournament's history

Despite seeing a blip in form last season, the former Australian all-rounder is one of the most consistent performers in the tournament's history. A powerful striker of the ball who can take any bowling attack to the cleaners, Shane Watson was a vital cog in Rajasthan Royals' juggernaut in the first season.

The right-handed batsman mauled the bowlers with disdain as he single-handedly won multiple games for Rajasthan. With 543 runs, he emerged as one of the leading run scorers in the sixth edition of the IPL.

Watto, as he is popularly known, led the charge at Rajasthan Royals for the first eight seasons before travelling down south to Bengaluru in 2016. In 102 matches, the man from Queensland scored 2622 runs, along with 2 centuries in his account.

Come the eleventh edition of IPL and the skilful all-rounder will be seen donning the yellow jersey as he represents Chennai Super Kings.

#1 David Warner

David Warner stood as SRH's cornerstone over the past few years

David Warner made his IPL debut in 2009 for Delhi Daredevils. However, it was at the Sunrisers Hyderabad camp where Warner took major strides to emerge as one of the greatest batsmen in the tournament's history.

After a decent stint with DD for his first five years in IPL, Warner was signed by SRH in 2014. The Swashbuckler soon got into the thick of things with as his match-winning knocks fueled the Orange Army to its maiden title in 2016.

A batsman who can dispirit any bowling attack on a given day, Warner proved to be the franchise's leading run scorer on several occasions and also holds the credit of being the second player, after Chris Gayle, to be awarded Orange Cap twice in the tournament's history.

The flamboyant opener is currently the fifth leading run scorer in the tournament's history. In 114 games played thus far, Warner amassed 4014 runs at a staggering average of 40.54. He also holds three IPL centuries to his credit.

Unfortunately, following the ugly series of events in South Africa, Warner has been banned for one year and will not be a part of this year's IPL.