Top 5 performers in the history of the Indian Premier League

The Indian Premier League has emerged to be the strongest launching pad for youngsters since 2008. It has been like a gateway for many small names to enter the international circuit. The BCCI organized the inaugural season of IPL way back in 2008. So far, 11 seasons of this cricket fest have been contested.

From these 11 seasons, the cricketing world has got some of the best young players in recent times. Right from the beginning, the IPL has been effective in fulfilling such kind of purpose. One player from almost every team has been his respective franchise’s or the entire league’s cornerstone. Out of them, the 5 best performers in the history of IPL are as follows-

#1 Suresh Raina - The Highest Run Scorer in the 11 editions of IPL

Suresh Raina is also known as Mr. IPL for his top-class performances in the tournament

The Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings has emerged out as the best team from the IPL. Out of 11 seasons, CSK has played the final for the most number of times (6) and has lifted the trophy thrice in the history of IPL which is the joint-highest number of times for any team.

Suresh Raina has risen as the most consistent player for CSK from the first season itself. Raina has played almost all the matches for CSK and while batting at no.3 in the batting order, the Uttar Pradesh born batsman has so far scored 4985 runs which are the most by any batsman in the Indian Premier League. His cover drives and slog sweeps are a treat to watch.

Known as Mr IPL, Raina has been the cornerstone for his franchise with the bat. Apart from Chennai Super Kings, the left-hander has also played for the Gujarat Lions.

#2 Chris Gayle - Highest individual score in an Innings

Chris Gayle scored the highest individual score in the history of IPL against Pune Warriors India

Regarded as the Universe Boss, Chris Gayle proved why he is nicknamed so when he played a destructive innings against the Pune Warriors India in IPL 2013, creating a plethora of records. The Caribbean opener holds the record for the highest individual score in the history of IPL. Along with that, Gayle also holds the record for the fastest century in the 11 seasons of IPL.

Gayle smashed 175 runs against PWI during the IPL 2013 and became the first player to hit a 170+ score in IPL. Chris Gayle’s innings included 13 fours and 17 long sixes. The Universe Boss just took 17 balls to complete his half-century and added another 50 in just 13 deliveries.

Because of his unbelievable innings of 175 runs from just 66 balls, Christopher Henry Gayle not only holds this record in IPL but also has the highest score when we consider all the T20 competitions around the globe.

#3 Andre Russell - Highest Batting Strike Rate

Russell has proved to be the best all-rounder for Kolkata Knight Riders

With his high bat lift, Andre Russell has emerged out to be the powerhouse for Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League. Russell hammered even the best bowlers for boundaries during the 11 seasons of IPL.

Starting his IPL career with Delhi Daredevils, Andre Russell so far has scored 890 runs from his 39 innings at a blistering strike rate of 177.29. He is the only batsman to have played at least 5 IPL seasons and have a career strike rate of above 170 in the tournament.

#4 Praveen Kumar - Most Maiden Overs

Praveen Kumar has bowled the most number of maiden overs in IPL

Praveen Kumar just like his swinging ball has kept on swinging between various franchises in the various seasons of IPL., Praveen was with Royal Challengers Bangalore from 2008 to 2010. Kings XI Punjab hired him from 2011 to 2013. Mumbai Indians picked him in 2014 and later on he represented the Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2015 before the UP pacer played his final season for the Gujarat Lions.

Despite rotating between many franchises, the form of Praveen Kumar remained constant. The right-arm medium pacer had bowled 14 maidens in his 119 matches apart from scalping 90 wickets, which still is an unmatched record in IPL history.

#5 Lasith Malinga - The Highest Wicket-Taker in the 11 editions of IPL

Lasith Malinga is the leading wicket-taker in the IPL history

Mumbai Indians has emerged out as the second-best team in the history of IPL. Mumbai has so far played 4 finals in the total 11 seasons of IPL. The Sri Lankan pacer Malinga had a key role to play in the franchise’s uplift. The round-arm bowling action has been the key reason for Malinga’s success as it makes difficult for batsmen to understand the ball.

With his in-swinging yorkers, Malinga had grabbed 154 wickets from his 110 wickets, a list which comprises some of the greatest T20 batsmen on the planet. Malinga has just conceded 2928 runs averaging at 19.01 runs per match in his stint with Mumbai Indians. He was also one of the few players who played for only one franchise in their long IPL career.