IPL History: Top 3 English batsmen to have played the T20 league

England won the ICC World T20 in 2010 under the captaincy of Paul Collingwood, defeating Australia in the final at Bridgetown, with Kevin Pietersen being named player of the series. However, it is only in the last couple of seasons that England have really lifted their game in the T20 format to a different level, with bright young talents lighting up the stage.

A lot of England cricketers are expected to be in demand at this year’s auction in Kolkata. The list includes World Cup heroes Jason Roy, Eoin Morgan (also England captain) and Chris Woakes, all of whom have listed their base price at Rs 1.5 crore. Further, Tom Banton who is making waves in various T20 leagues with his maverick hitting is also likely to be sold for a big price.

With the bidding wars just a few days away, we go back in IPL history and take a look at the top three batsmen from England to have featured in the tournament.

#3. Jonny Bairstow

Jonny Bairstow (Credits: BCCI)

Although the England batsman made his IPL debut in 2019, it was such a stunning initiation that Jonny Bairstow straightaway makes it to number three on the list. Opening the batting for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Bairstow slammed 445 runs in 10 games at an average of 55.62 and a stunning strike rate of 157.24.

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The aggressive batsman struck one hundred and two fifties. Bairstow’s best of 114 from 56 balls came against a hapless Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) attack in Hyderabad. During the innings, Bairstow featured in the highest opening stand in IPL -- adding 185 with David Warner (100 not out).

In fact, the Bairstow-Warner partnership was one of the major takeaways from the 2019 season. During the match against RCB, Bairstow-Warner became the first pair in IPL history to put together three consecutive century partnerships. Bairstow took his IPL form into the World Cup as well, where he scored 532 runs with two hundreds and as many fifties at an average of 48.36, and a strike rate of 92.84.

#2. Kevin Pietersen

Kevin Pietersen

The dashing yet controversial South African-born former England batsman Kevin Pietersen had a reasonable IPL career although he could not attain the heights expected of him. In a manner of speaking, it was as mini-replay of his international career.

Pietersen played 36 IPL matches and scored 1,001 runs at an average of 37.07, and a strike rate of 134.72. He managed only one hundred during his career -- 103 not out from 64 balls, playing for Delhi Daredevils against Deccan Chargers in 2012, taking his side to victory by five wickets.

In 2009, he was purchased by Royal Challengers Bangalore for $1,550,000, and even captained RCB in a few games, succeeding Rahul Dravid. Pietersen was named the captain of Daredevils in 2014 after being purchased for Rs 9 crore ($1.5 million). He had a poor season though, scoring only 294 runs in 11 games at a strike rate of 126.18 with one solitary fifty.

Pietersen turned out for Rising Pune Supergiants in the 2016 edition. However, he was ruled out of the tournament after four games with a calf injury. Pietersen scored 73 runs from IPL innings at an average of 36.50 and strike rate of 119.67, in what turned out be his last stint with the tournament.

#1. Jos Buttler

Jos Buttler (Credits: BCCI/iplt20.com)

England’s dashing cricketer Jos Buttler is the most successful batsman from the country to have played in the IPL so far. In 45 matches, he has 1,386 runs at a brilliant strike rate of 150.81 and an average of 35.53. The wicket-keeper batsman has nine half-centuries to his credit in the league. His ability to strike the ball long and hard has won him numerous admirers in India.

Buttler made his debut for Mumbai Indians in 2016 as the franchise purchased him for Rs 3.8 crore. He managed 255 runs in 14 games at an average of 23.18 and a strike rate of 138.58. Retained for Mumbai in 2017, he notched up 272 runs in 10 games with a best of 77.

It is with Rajasthan Royals that Buttler has found greater success. In 2018, he equalled Virender Sehwag’s IPL record for five consecutive fifties, including his career-best of 95 not out from 60 against Chennai Super Kings. Buttler finished the season with 548 runs in 13 games at a strike rate of 155.24 and an average of 54.80. The incredible performance paved the way for his recall to the England Test squad.

The 29-year-old continued the good work for RR in 2019 as well, with 311 runs in eight matches at a strike rate of 151.70 before heading back to England for the World Cup. Buttler was controversially Mankaded by Ravichandran Ashwin for 69 in a game against Kings XI Punjab in Jaipur. His most memorable knock in the season was 89 from 43 at the Wankhede Stadium against his former franchise Mumbai Indians. Chasing 188, RR won the contest by four wickets.