Indian Premier League

Most Runs Each Year by Indian Players from IPL 2008-2023

Virat Kohli, the beast in 2016 as we look at the most runs scored by an Indian players in Each IPL year from 2008 to 2023.

Ever since the inception of IPL in 2008, the Indian Players have been the leading run scorers overall with 4 of the top 5 names belonging to Indians. However, when it comes to Orange Cap, the data says something else. In 16 years until 2023, the Orange Cap has been won by Overseas players 10 times. Whereas Indian players haven’t had huge success with only 6 Orange caps against their name. 

But how about we take a look at the Most runs scored by Indian players in each IPL year? This will help us relate with Indian players better, and will only bring in a fair comparison. So, let’s take a look at the ranking of the most runs scored by Indian players in each year of IPL from 2008 to 2023. 

For the simple understanding of the users, we shall rank only the most runs scored by Indian players each year. So, we will have only one entry per year. For example, KL Rahul scored 659 runs in IPL 2018, but may not feature in this list as Rishabh Pant with 684 runs is selected for that year. 

Ranking Most Runs Scored by Indian Players in IPL (2008 to 2023)

#16 – Suresh Raina – 434 Runs (2009)

Inns: 14 // Runs: 434 // Avg: 31 // SR: 140.9 // HS: 98

At number 16, we have Suresh Raina from the 2009 season. Raina scored a hundred runs less than Gautam Gambhir’s 534 runs in 2008, but it probably came on tougher African wickets. Even as Suresh has trouble against swing, he did well in 2009 scoring 434 runs at a decent average of 31, but a good strike rate of 140.9. 

#15: Gautam Gambhir – 498 Runs (2017)

Inns: 16 // Runs: 498 // Avg: 41.5 // SR: 128.0 // HS: 76*

Number 15 sees Gautam Gambhir with a total of 498 runs in IPL 2017. It was the penultimate year of Gauti in IPL, and he didn’t disappoint. Gauti was the second-highest run-getter that year overall behind Warner’s 641 runs. He scored a total of 498 runs from 16 innings at an average of 41.5, and four 50+ scores to his name. 

#14: Gautam Gambhir – 534 Runs (2008)

Inns: 14 // Runs: 534 // Avg: 41.1 // SR: 140.9 // HS: 86

At number 14, we once again have Gautam Gambir, who was the star Indian performer in the inaugural edition of IPL in 2008. Gambhir scored a stunning 534 runs placing him second on the list of Orange cap. Gambhir was 99 runs ahead of second-best Indian, Yusuf Pathan. Overall, Gambir hit 5 fifties that year, which was joint-best with Orange Cap winner Shaun Marsh. 

#13: Ajinkya Rahane – 540 Runs (2015)

Inns: 13 // Runs: 540 // Avg: 49.1 // SR: 130.8 // HS: 91*

The year is 2015, and we have a new entrant to the most runs category with Ajinkya Rahane of Rajasthan Royals. The current 2023 version may be the best of all, but Rahane came into the limelight with his stunning performance for RR in 2015. Rahane scored a superb 534 runs from 13 innings at a stunning average of 49.1. 

#12: Virat Kohli – 557 Runs (2011)

Inns: 16 // Runs: 557 // Avg: 46.4 // SR: 121.1 // HS: 71

2011 belongs to Virat Kohli, who scored a total of 557 runs that season; 4 more than his idol, Sachin Tendulkar. Kohli had scored only 307 runs in 2010 before making it big in 2011 with a total of 557 runs at a superb average of 46.4. Kohli played a brilliant second-fiddle to RCB’s Gayle for most of the matches that year. 

#11: Gautam Gambhir – 590 Runs (2012)

Inns: 17 // Runs: 590 // Avg: 39.3 // SR: 143.6 // HS: 93

Number 11 once again belongs to Gautam Gambhir, who makes a third appearance in this list. Gambhir, who was the leading Indian run-scorer in 2008 made it to the summit once again in 2012. He scored a brilliant 590 runs that season; 21 more than second-best Indian, Shikhar Dhawan. Gambhir scored a brilliant 6 fifties that season, 1 less than Gayle’s 7. 

#10: KL Rahul – 593 Runs (2019)

Inns: 14 // Runs: 593 // Avg: 53.9 // SR: 135.4 // HS: 100*

At number 10, we have a new entrant in the form of KL Rahul. Undoubtedly the Mr. Consistent of IPL, Rahul scored a brilliant 593 runs in 2019 after scoring over 600 in the previous season. Rahul was the second-highest run-getter that season behind Warner, who scored 692 runs. What was special about Rahul was that he scored seven 50+ scores that season in just 14 innings. 

#9: KL Rahul – 616 Runs (2022)

Inns: 15 // Runs: 616 // Avg: 51.3 // SR: 135.4 // HS: 103*

Number 9 once again sees KL Rahul, who scored 616 runs in the 2022 campaign. This was KL Rahul’s fifth successive year scoring 500+ runs in an IPL season, making him the only player in the history of IPL to have such a feat. Rahul with 616 runs was 129 runs more than the second-best Indian, Hardik Pandya.

#8: Sachin Tendulkar – 618 Runs (2010)

Inns: 15 // Runs: 618 // Avg: 47.5 // SR: 132.6 // HS: 89*

Number 8 sees the avatar of the GOD of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar. The 2010 campaign not only saw Sachin being the best-performing Indian, but he also won the Orange cap with a total of 618 runs to his name. Tendulkar scored a brilliant 618 runs from 15 innings at an average of 47.5 and a strike rate of 132.6 with five 50+ scores to his name.

#7: Virat Kohli – 634 Runs (2013)

Inns: 16 // Runs: 634  // Avg: 45.3 // SR: 138.7 // HS: 99

2013 sees Virat Kohli beating all records until 2012 to score the most runs scored by an Indian player in a season of IPL until that year. Kohli scored a stunning 634 runs from 16 innings at a superb average of 45.3 and an improved strike rate of 138.7. Kohli scored 6 fifties this season, but couldn’t get a hundred with the highest score being 99. 

#6: Ruturaj Gaikwad – 635 Runs (2021)

Inns: 16 // Runs: 635 // Avg: 45.3 // SR: 136.3 // HS: 101*

Number 6 sees a part-uncapped player in the form of Ruturaj Gaikwad, who started the 2021 season as an uncapped player for CSK, but made his debut for India before the postponed second half of the season began. Ruturaj, the Orange cap winner of IPL 2021 scored a brilliant 635 runs from 16 innings with five 50+ scores to his name.

#5: Robin Uthappa – 660 Runs (2014)

Inns: 16 // Runs: 660 // Avg: 44 // SR: 137.8 // HS: 83*

The year is 2014, and we have Robin Uthappa breaking Virat Kohli’s record for the most runs scored in a single IPL season. Uthappa scored 660 runs in 2014, thus helping his side, KKR to a victorious campaign. What’s more, in 2014, Uthappa became only the second Indian player to win an Orange cap, and the first Indian to win Orange Cap while winning an IPL trophy. 

#4: KL Rahul – 670 Runs (2020)

Inns: 14 // Runs: 670 // Avg: 55.8 // SR: 129.3 // HS: 132*

At number 4, we have KL Rahul, who makes his third appearance on the list. The lockdown year saw KL Rahul not only being the best Indian player, but also winning the Orange Cap with a total of 670 runs to his name. KL took only 14 innings to score 670 runs at an unbelievable average of 55.8 but a decent strike rate of 129.3. It was the year, KL scored 132 runs in an innings; the highest Indian player in IPL.

#3: Rishabh Pant – 684 Runs (2018)

Inns: 14 // Runs: 684 // Avg: 52.6 // SR: 173.6 // HS: 128*

At number 3, we have Rishabh Pant, who was an unbeatable beast in IPL 2018. Pant scored a stunning 684 runs from just 14 innings; that’s like scoring 49 runs on an average per innings. This is when he mostly batted at 4 or below. An astonishing feat that Pant earned had an average of 52.6 and a strike rate of 173.6 with eight 40+ scores in the series. 

#2: Shubman Gill – 890 Runs (2023)

Inns: 17 // Runs: 890 // Avg: 59.3 // SR: 157.8 // HS: 129

At number 2, we have the current year’s Orange Cap holder, Shubman Gill. Gill has almost replicated what his idol did in 2016 amassing 890 runs from 16 innings at a brilliant average of 59.3 and a strike rate of 157.8. Gill has scored 4 fifties and 3 hundreds this season including a back-to-back hundred. 

#1: Virat Kohli – 973 Runs (2016)

Inns: 16 // Runs: 973 // Avg: 81.1 // SR: 152.0 // HS: 113

Number 1 on the list belongs to none other than G.O.A.T Virat Kohli, who scored a humongous 973 runs in the 2016 edition of IPL. The record seems unachievable as long as players don’t play more than 17 matches. Kohli’s 973 runs came from 16 innings at an unbelievable average of 81.8 and a fantastic strike rate of 152. 

So, that’s about the ranking of the most runs scored in each IPL season from 2008 to 2023.  

Thanks for reading! Which is your take on the most runs scored in IPL from 2008 to 2023? Please email your thoughts to cric8fanatic@gmail.com


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Adesh Kothari

Adesh is an author at Cric8fanatic with over 20 years of experience following Cricket. Cricket to him is like what 'Football is to Lionel Messi', 'Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar', 'Dancing is to Michael Jackson', and what 'Acting is to Clint Eastwood'. Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.

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