The Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed countless records over its 17-year journey. While names like Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni dominate the overall run charts, they surprisingly do not hold the record for the most runs at any specific batting position from 1 to 11.
From the explosive openers to the resilient tail-enders, here is the definitive list of the highest run-getters for every single batting slot in IPL history.
The “Orange Cap” contenders usually fight for these spots, but these three legends have made these positions their own:
No. 1 (Opener): Shikhar Dhawan (6,362 Runs) – ‘Gabbar’ leads the pack as the most prolific No. 1 batsman in the league.
No. 2 (Opener): David Warner (5,910 Runs) – The Australian southpaw is the most successful overseas opener at this specific slot.
No. 3: Suresh Raina (4,934 Runs) – Known as ‘Mr. IPL’, Raina’s consistency at one-down remains unmatched, even by Virat Kohli.
This is where the game is often won or lost. Surprisingly, a current opener leads the No. 4 slot:
No. 4: Rohit Sharma (2,725 Runs) – Before becoming a permanent opener, the ‘Hitman’ was the king of the two-down position.
No. 5: Dinesh Karthik (2,663 Runs) – DK’s longevity and finishing skills have made him the top scorer at No. 5.
No. 6: Kieron Pollard (2,213 Runs) – The Mumbai Indians legend defines the No. 6 role with his brute power and match-winning cameos.
Every run counts! These players have proven that even the bottom of the lineup can shift the momentum:
No. 7: Ravindra Jadeja (1,654 Runs) – ‘Sir’ Jadeja is statistically the most dangerous No. 7 in IPL history.
No. 8: Rashid Khan (534 Runs) – The Afghan superstar isn’t just a wizard with the ball; his “snake shot” has helped him top this slot.
No. 9: Harbhajan Singh (351 Runs) – ‘Bhajji’ was always a handy batsman, often scoring crucial boundaries in the death overs.
No. 10: Dhawal Kulkarni (104 Runs) – A rare century of runs from the No. 10 position belongs to the veteran pacer.
No. 11: Munaf Patel (36 Runs) – The highest tally recorded by an eleventh-man in the tournament.
While Virat Kohli is the all-time leading run-scorer in IPL, his runs are split between the opening slot and No. 3, leaving him just behind Dhawan and Raina in those specific categories. Similarly, MS Dhoni has floated between No. 4, 5, and 6 throughout his career, which prevented him from claiming the top spot in a single specific position.
Read More: IPL History : Most Runs by Batting Position 1 to 11 See Who Topped the Charts
