IPL 2020: 5 batting greats who have career strike rates of less than 130

In the run-fest that the Indian Premier League (IPL) generally morphs into, the batting metric that is the strike rate holds immense importance.

With run-scoring becoming increasingly fast-paced, cricketers like Andre Russell and Sunil Narine have revolutionised batting with their incredible hitting. These two players are placed at #1 and #2 respectively on the list of the highest strike rates in IPL history, and will be vital parts of the Kolkata Knight Riders side this year.

However, at the other end of the spectrum are batsmen who haven't quite been able to get a move on. Here are 5 batting greats (ordered from least to most runs in the IPL) who have a career strike rate of less than 130 and will play in IPL 2020. Surprisingly, all 5 are Indian.

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#5 Parthiv Patel - 120.78; Will play for RCB in IPL 2020

Parthiv Patel has played for a number of IPL franchises

Parthiv Patel isn't exactly known for his big hitting and has struggled with run-scoring outside the powerplay, so his inclusion on this list shouldn't come as a great surprise.

The wicket-keeper has scored 2,848 runs in 139 IPL games at an average of 22.6 and a strike rate of 120.78, with 13 fifties to his name. Parthiv has played for a number of IPL teams and is currently a part of Virat Kohli's Royal Challengers Bangalore, for whom he might not be a regular in the playing XI due to the presence of young Karnataka batsman Devdutt Padikkal.

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#4 Ambati Rayudu - 125.95; Will play for CSK in IPL 2020

Ambati Rayudu will have to step up in IPL 2020 in the absence of Suresh Raina

Ambati Rayudu is placed 14th on the list of the top run-scorers in the IPL, and has 3,300 runs in 147 games at an average of 28.69. However, the Hyderabad batsman has scored runs at a below-par strike rate of 125.95 over the course of his IPL career.

Rayudu batted in the middle order for the Mumbai Indians before briefly opening the innings for the Chennai Super Kings, and has played the anchor role at both franchises. In the absence of CSK vice-captain Suresh Raina, he will have a major role to play at either No. 3 or No. 4.

Check the IPL 2020 orange cap list here.

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#3 Dinesh Karthik - 129.8; Will play for KKR in IPL 2020

Dinesh Karthik has taken the most catches by a wicket-keeper in IPL history

Dinesh Karthik's inclusion on this list might come as a surprise given that he has all the shots in the book, but the fact of the matter is that he has a career IPL strike rate of 129.8. This isn't too bad by any means, and he has scored 3,654 runs in 182 games to be placed at #12 on the list of leading IPL run-scorers.

The KKR skipper has certainly been striking the ball well over the past few seasons while playing the finisher's role, and we should see him cross the 130 mark over the course of IPL 2020. Karthik's side failed to make the playoffs last year, and they will be keen on turning things around in IPL 2020.

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#2 Ajinkya Rahane - 121.92; Will play for DC in IPL 2020

Ajinkya Rahane will play for the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2020

Much like Parthiv, Ajinkya Rahane isn't known for his big hitting. The former Rajasthan Royals skipper has scored 3,820 runs in 140 IPL games at an average of 32.93 and a strike rate of 121.92, and is the batsman with the second lowest strike rate on this list.

Rahane is part of the Delhi Capitals squad for IPL 2020, but whether he will get opportunities to play for the side remains to be seen, largely due to the presence of this man -

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#1 Shikhar Dhawan - 124.8; Will play for DC in IPL 2020

Shikhar Dhawan is the fifth-highest run-scorer in IPL history

Shikhar Dhawan's game is very similar to that of Ajinkya Rahane, and he might keep the Indian Test vice-captain out of the DC side.

With 4,579 runs in 159 games at an average of 33.42 and a strike rate of 124.8, the southpaw is the fifth-highest run-scorer in IPL history. He is also one of two players in the top 10 - Gautam Gambhir being the other - who has a career strike rate of below 130.

Despite this record, Dhawan will be one to watch out for in IPL 2020.

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