The rules of the T20 format are such that batters usually have the upper hand over the bowlers. As the dimension of boundaries is smaller, there is more frequency in hitting boundaries.
The bowlers usually bowl in fragmented spells and thus cannot get the rhythm that they can enjoy in other formats. For this reason, batters do not have to face relentless attacks and can score more freely. These factors have led T20 to be considered a batter-dominated format.
In the Indian Premier League (IPL) also, the batters are in control of the major part of the game. A score of 160-170 is regarded as a par score. As the runs are on the higher side, naturally, the average of the batters tends to be high as well.
Unlike the highest run-getter of a season, who gets the Orange Cap, the batter with the highest average does not get rewarded in IPL, but the batting average is no less important.
3 Players with the highest batting average in IPL
The batting average is calculated after dividing the total number of runs the batter has scored by the number of times the batter has dismissed. It is a simple process. But when it comes to finding the highest batting average, only following this process should not suffice.
A batter with very few innings and an even lower number of dismissals could have the healthiest average, but his sample size would be too small to consider him the batter with the best average.
For this reason, we have put a cut-off of at least 30 innings batted with a minimum of 25 dismissals to find out the best batting average in IPL.
3. Shaun Marsh – Average: 39.95
In his 9 years in IPL, Australian left-handed batter Shaun Marsh only represented Kings XI Punjab. Mainly batting as an opener, Marsh scored 2477 runs at an impressive average of 39.95 in 69 innings while getting dismissed on 62 occasions. He has 20 half-centuries and a solitary ton to his name.
The prolific run scorer was the top run-getter in the inaugural season of IPL in 2008. He had amassed 616 runs at an astonishing average of 68.44.
Barring the 2015 season, the batter from Western Australia averaged more than 30 in each of the seasons he took part in IPL.
2. David Warner – Average: 42.00
Another left-handed opener from Australia, David Warner, scores runs consistently in IPL. After starting his IPL career with Delhi Daredevils, Warner then went on to play for Sunrisers Hyderabad before returning to the Delhi-based franchise, now Delhi Capitals.
In the 162 innings, Warner has accumulated 5881 runs at a marvelous 42.00 average and gotten dismissed 140 times.
Warner has received the Orange Cap on three occasions – the most by any player – after top-scoring in the 2015, 2017, and 2019 editions of the IPL. His start was not great in IPL, but as his career progressed, the batter flourished in Indian conditions.
Barring the 2018 season, during which he could not participate, David Warner averaged more than 40 in each of the seasons from 2014 to 2019.
1. KL Rahul – Average: 48.01
Among the players who have batted in at least 30 innings in IPL, KL Rahul’s average is the best – 48.01. While batting in 100 innings, Rahul has scored 3889 runs and gotten out 81 times.
Playing mostly as an opener, he has 4 centuries and 31 half-centuries. When the stylish batter was with Kings XI Punjab, he became the highest run-scorer in IPL 2020 after garnering 670 runs at a huge average of 55.83.
The run machine from Karnataka has shown immense consistency and has averaged more than 50 in each of the last 5 IPL seasons. Rahul has scored at least 6 fifty-plus scores in each of those 5 seasons and that is an indication of why his average is the best among his contemporaries.
In IPL 2022, Rahul was second in the race to grab the Orange Cap.
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Conclusion
In this discussion, we have seen that top-order batters who get the opportunity to bat the most number of overs have a greater chance to play bigger innings. A substantial knock not only improves their batting average but also works as a strong foundation for the team.
It is no surprise that a consistent performer like KL Rahul tops the chart of the highest batting average in IPL.
FAQs
Q1:- How many centuries has David Warner hit in IPL?
Ans:- David Warner has hit four centuries, just two behind Chris Gayle, who has the most number of centuries in IPL.
Q2:- How many times has KL Rahul been adjudged player of the match in IPL?
Ans:- KL Rahul has been adjudged the player of the match on twelve occasions in IPL.
Q3:- After putting the above-mentioned cut-off, which batter comes next after Shaun Marsh?
Ans:- Jos Buttler narrowly missed out on this list of the best batting average in IPL as he is currently averaging 39.87, just 0.08 behind Shaun Marsh.
