Virat Kohli tops the batting chart, Yuzvendra Chahal turned IPL 18 as Leeds with the ball.

On 18 April, the Indian Premier League (IPL) celebrates its 18th birthday, a tournament that revolutionized cricket and changed the game’s scenario forever. The foundation of the league was not dramatically low, as Brendon McCullum of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) M. The Chinnaswamy Stadium was burnt with an unforgettable 158* with just 73 delivery, with ten fours and thirteen sixes against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). That one knock announced the arrival of a cricket carnival. As the League undergoes its 18th season, Virat Kohli stands as the most run-scorer in IPL history. Representing just one franchise-Royal Challengers Bangalore-Kohli has scored 8,252 out of 258 matches, including eight centuries and 58s. Remandable, he never missed a season for RCB, making him the most loyal and virtuous batsman in the league.

Kohli is just behind the veteran Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan, who has scored 6,769 runs in 222 matches. Unlike Kohli, Dhawan traveled in five franchises: Mumbai Indians (MI), Deccan Chargers (DCH), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Delhi Capital (DC), and Punjab Kings (PBK).

India’s five-time IPL-winning captain, Rohit Sharma, ranked third in the list with 6,710 runs in 263 matches. He has played for two teams-the trophy has lifted the trophy with both, strengthening his position as one of the day-to-day chargers and the Mumbai Indians-and one of the most successful players in the league.

Australian Southpow David Warner, a devastating power at the top of the order, is in fourth place. With 6,565 runs in 184 Games, Warner has represented Delhi capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad, which is a leader for SRH in 2016 for its first title.

The fifth Suresh Raina in the list is now the retired former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) stallwart. Raina scored 5,528 runs in 205 matches and also represented Gujarat Lions during a brief suspension of CSK from the league.

On the bowling front, Yuzvendra Chahal leads the chart with 211 wickets in 166 matches. His IPL journey began with Mumbai Indians, but it was in RCB where he was actually fruitful. Later, he represented Rajasthan Royals, and in 2024, Punjab Kings secured their services for 18 crores.

Veteran leg-spinner Piyush Chawla chases 192 wickets in 192 Games. Two -time IPL winner, Chawla, scored a winning run in the 2012 final of KKR and was also part of the CSK’s 2021 squad. He has also portrayed Kings Xi Punjab (now Punjab Kings) and Mumbai Indians.

The third KKR legend in the list is Sunil Narin. Since joining the franchise in 2012, there has been a game-changer with both Narnine Bat and Ball. He played an important role in the KKR title victory in 2012, when he took 24 wickets, and in 2014, when he took 21 wickets. In 2024, Narin’s dream was season, scored 488 runs and took 17 wickets, KKR helped to lift his third IPL title. Overall, Narrene has 187 wickets out of 183 sports. He was also postponed three times (2012, 2018, 2024) of the most valuable player of the season.

Swing specialist Bhuvneshwar Kumar also has 187 wickets, which have been achieved in 181 matches. He has played for RCB, Pune Warriors India, and Sunrisers Hyderabad, winning the purple cap twice in the process.

Ravichandran Ashwin scored rounds from the top five with 185 wickets in 218 matches. Ashwin has donated jerseys to Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capital, Kings XI Punjab, Rising Pune Super Zments and Rajasthan Royals. In 2025, he returned to CSK, reunited with the franchise where all this began.

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