Ranking the Top 5 Batsmen of IPL 2020

The shortest format of the game is generally said to favour batsmen. While there is a lot of truth to that statement, it still takes immense ability to consistently score at a good strike.

This list is not merely an enumeration of the top 5 run scorers of IPL 2020, but it is a ranking of the best batsmen based on runs scored, strike rate, average, etc.

5. Suryakumar Yadav:

What a season Suryakumar Yadav had for Mumbai Indians in 2020 … and 2019, and oh wait, 2018 as well. The Mumbai-born batsman has gained some clout during the last month and a half, but he has been consistently performing at a high level for his IPL franchise for three years now.

The thing that separates him from other number-3 batsmen of India is his ability to score at an impressive strike rate while playing proper cricketing shots by enduring minimal risk. He faced some competition for this spot from the likes of de Kock and de Villiers, but his consistency gives him the edge over the South African duo.

Suryakumar Yadav’s biggest test came against Royal Challengers Bangalore when he was showered with sledges by Virat Kohli, but “SKY” responded with a fine knock as he let his willow speak for him. Talk about leaving a mark when it mattered the most!

4. David Warner:

David Warner has almost become synonymous with scoring runs in the IPL. Ever since Sunrisers Hyderabad signed him, the Australian opener has been “Mr. Consistent” in the runs department as he has crossed the 500-run mark in all the seasons where he has featured. 

His high standards slightly subdued this season, but he still managed to comfortably maintain his spot in the top 5 run scorers throughout the season. His average and strike rate was lower than what we’ve come to expect from Warner, but he had a great season nonetheless. 

During this season, David Warner became the first overseas player to reach the 5000-run milestone in the IPL. He played an essential hand in securing a top-four finish for SRH towards the back end of the league stage, but his failure in the playoff games sees him ranked lower than 3rd. 

3. Ishan Kishan:

For the better part of the last two decades, every wicket-keeper batsman in India has lived under the shadows of MS Dhoni. Although Ishan Kishan isn’t directly affected by it, the likes of Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Sanju Samson got a crack at the cherry before him.

Ishan Kishan might not possess the physique of Pollard or Russell, but the pocket dynamo smashed the most sixes this season. The wicketkeeper-batsman did not score as many runs as Warner, but he has scored at a healthy average and a blistering rate. 

The southpaw has also proven his versatility by scoring runs while batting in the middle order and while deputizing for Rohit Sharma at the top of the order. Ishan Kishan has been in the scene for almost five years now, but this is by far his most prolific season.

2. Shikhar Dhawan:

The stylish left-handed batsman crossed the 600-run mark for the first time in his illustrious IPL career. He certainly had to deal with the highs and lows of being an opening batsman as he became the first batsman to score two consecutive centuries in IPL but followed that with a few ducks. 

Shikhar Dhawan is seldom mentioned in the same breath as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, but he comfortably outscored the pair this season. “Gabbar” lived up to his reputation as the highest boundary scorer as he dealt in 64 fours this season.

With the emergence of KL Rahul in white-ball cricket, Dhawan needed to have a good season, and the man delivered. His season strike rate was well above his career strike rate, which was a bonus to his star-studded performances. 

1. KL Rahul: 

KL Rahul has gradually established himself as the best T20 batsman in India. He has been producing excellent performances ever since he joined Kings XI Punjab. This season, he had the additional responsibility of captaining the side, but he didn’t let that affect his batting. 

The Karnataka batsman was the owner of the orange cap for the majority of the season. He not only scored when KXIP won but also chalked up good knocks in losing causes. He scored a brilliant 132* against his former team, which is now the highest score by an Indian in the history of the IPL.

The Kings XI skipper scored the joint highest half-centuries this season. He can be criticized for having a slightly low strike rate, but I won’t hold that against him as he often had to play the role of an anchor in a misfiring batting line-up. He deserves the top spot on this list.

Honorable Mentions: Shreyas Iyer, AB de Villiers, Quinton de Kock

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