IPL 2020: 5 batsmen with most fifties in tournament history

There is a big question mark over the starting date of IPL 2020. Cricket fans, however, are still excited about the tournament and are expecting BCCI to share a positive update soon. All the teams have several stars on their roster this year and the 13th edition of the cash-rich league promises to be the fiercest one.

In a competition like the IPL, only those teams which perform consistently have the chance to take the trophy home and speaking of consistency, the batting departments of the teams will have the onus of posting a big score on the board in every match. While crossing 30 is considered a landmark in T20 cricket, a batsman who can register fifties consistently makes it to the elite category.

Here is a list of the top five batsmen with most fifties to their names in IPL history.

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#5 Rohit Sharma - 36 fifties

Rohit Sharma is the most successful IPL captain

The Hitman from Mumbai, Rohit Sharma holds the fifth position on this list with three dozen half-centuries in his IPL career. The Indian ODI and T20I vice-captain started his IPL journey with Deccan Chargers before joining the Mumbai Indians in 2011. Rohit impressed everyone with his magnificent performances in IPL 2008 as he aggregated 404 runs with four fifties.

His performance dipped in 2009 but he bounced back the next year, aggregating the same number of runs albeit with three 50+ scores. After becoming a part of Mumbai Indians, Sharma's performances improved a lot. He was at his best in IPL 2016 as he scored 489 runs in 14 matches with five fifties. Also, his four half-tons played a crucial role in helping Mumbai win their first title in 2013.

Since he has scored only four fifties in the last two seasons, Rohit will look to better his performances in IPL 2020 when he takes the field for team Mumbai once again.

#4 Virat Kohli - 36 fifties

Virat Kohli has never won the IPL trophy

Just like Rohit Sharma, the Indian skipper has recorded 36 half-tons in the IPL. However, he has played 14 innings less than his limited-overs deputy, which has earned him the fourth place on this list. Kohli's IPL career got off to a slow start as he recorded only two 50+ scores in the first three seasons.

Royal Challengers Bangalore did not lose their faith in him and soon, the franchise reaped the rewards. Kohli set new levels of consistency with his performance for the Bold Army. He scored six half-centuries in IPL 2013 and then three years later, he shattered all records by amassing 973 runs in IPL 2016. The right-handed batsman had seven fifties and four hundreds to his name in that edition. Unfortunately, Kohli has never won the IPL title.

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#3 Shikhar Dhawan - 37 fifties

Shikhar Dhawan was the cornerstone of Sunrisers Hyderabad till 2018

Another star Indian batsman to feature on this list is the left-handed opening batsman, Shikhar Dhawan. Nicknamed Gabbar, Dhawan has played for four IPL franchises in his career. He started his career with Delhi Daredevils before switching to Mumbai Indians. Soon, he found himself in the Deccan Chargers squad, which later transformed into Sunrisers Hyderabad. Last year, he returned to Delhi after 11 years.

All through the years, Dhawan has been a very consistent batsman. Even though he has never touched triple figures in the IPL, he has provided solid starts to his team more often than not. Dhawan's best IPL season came in 2012, wherein he scored 569 runs in 15 matches for Deccan Chargers. He smashed five fifties that season, a feat which he replicated in the year 2019.

#2 Suresh Raina - 38 fifties

Suresh Raina is also known as Mr. IPL

Chennai Super Kings' vice-captain, Suresh Raina, holds the record for the most half-centuries by an Indian batsman in the IPL. Raina has been an integral part of the Super Kings over the years and has registered 32 fifty-plus scores while playing for the franchise. He had been a part of Gujarat Lions in IPL 2016 and IPL 2017.

Leading the Rajkot-based franchise, Raina registered three half-centuries in each season. However, his best performances have come for team Chennai. The left-handed batsman was on fire in IPL 2014 as he aggregated 523 runs in 16 matches, which included five fifties. It was in that edition of the league that Raina blew away Kings XI Punjab with a whirlwind 25-ball 87.

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#1 David Warner - 44 fifties

David Warner has enjoyed playing in the IPL

The batsman with the most half-centuries in IPL history is Australian opener, David Warner. The Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper started his career with the Delhi Daredevils before he became a part of the Orange Army in 2014. Out of his 44 half-centuries, 34 have come in the orange jersey. It is worth noting here that the southpaw had had to miss the 2018 edition of the tournament.

He had registered nine fifties in IPL 2016 whereas during IPL 2019, Warner went past the 50-run mark eight times. Also, in his first two seasons for the Sunrisers, he recorded 13 fifties. This indicates that Warner has played a very important role in the success of team Hyderabad. It will be interesting to see if any player is able to overtake him in IPL 2020.