IPL has evolved significantly over the course of its 14-year history. Teams have started to adopt an all-out aggressive approach at the cost of losing games. Mumbai Indians have largely spearheaded this tactic. Teams are now on the lookout for power-hitters as compared to accumulators. The emphasis is now purely on batsman’s strike rate and not on their average. Here is the list of top 5 players with highest strike rates.
StumpsandBails brings to you 5 players with the highest strike rate in the IPL:
#5 AB de Villiers (152.38)
Players with highest strike rates. AB de Villiers is probably one of the biggest match-winners in the IPL. He holds the record for winning the most number of Man of the Match awards in IPL. Villiers is not just destructive he is brutally consistent as well. He has scored a mammoth 5056 runs in IPL at an average of 40.77 with a strike rate of 152.38. ABD is the only player in the IPL to average more than 40 with a strike rate of more than 150. Genius!
#4 Glenn Maxwell (153.32)
Glenn Maxwell was a million-dollar baby when Mumbai Indians bought him in 2013. But the franchise couldn’t use him optimally. Kings XI Punjab purchased his services in 2014 and Maxwell had a stellar year. He took the Punjab franchise all the way to the finals (It remains their only final appearance). Maxwell’s 552 runs in 2014 was a once in a lifetime season. He totally took apart the oppositions and reaffirmed the fact that he is one of the most destructive batsmen in the world. Post-2014 and until 2021, Maxwell’s form did dip but his penchant to strike big didn’t. His strike rate of 153.32 is there for everyone to see.
#3 Virender Sehwag (155.44)
Virender Sehwag was a generation defining batsman. He played T20 cricket in an era when the game wasn’t accustomed to the format. He had a strike rate of 82 in Tests and 104 in ODIs. T20 cricket was tailor-made for Sehwag. He played the game in exactly that manner. Sehwag on his day demolished oppositions. His staggering strike rate of 155.44 speaks volumes about the man. The fact that Sehwag didn’t play in these ultra-aggressive times and still has such a strike rate is testament to his insane ability.
#2 Hardik Pandya (157.23)
Hardik Pandya burst onto the IPL scene when he smashed CSK spinner Pawan Negi in the penultimate over of a crucial game for 3 sixes. Since then Pandya has gone on to own attacks like no other batsman. He is especially dangerous when he lines himself up against spinners. His ability to go deep into the crease and smash Yorkers into midwicket is a sight to behold. Pandya strikes at 157.23 and has bailed out MI on many occasions. He is a wonderfully gifted batsman.
#1 Andre Russell (179.29)
Andre Russell is the most fearsome striker in world cricket currently. He doesn’t hit, he clobbers the ball. Russell is a two-time IPL MVP award winner. His exploits in IPL 2019 were insane. He scored 510 runs at an average of 56.66 and a mind-numbing strike rate of 204.81. Russell has consistently managed to strike at more than 150 across all IPL seasons starting in 2015. He is ahead of the striker’s pack by a huge distance. His strike rate of 179.29 in IPL is unparalleled.
Also Read: Top 5 Highest Individual Scores In ODIs
