Decoding batters with most runs as openers in IPL
What's the story
Lucknow Super Giants captain KL Rahul on April 27 became the fifth batter to complete 4,000 runs in the Indian Premier League as a designated opener.
He is the fastest to accomplish the milestone, having taken 94 innings.
Rahul accomplished the milestone en route to his 76-run knock against Rajasthan Royals.
Let's decode the batters with the most IPL runs as openers.
#5
KL Rahul- 4,041 runs
As per ESPNcricinfo, Rahul became just the fifth batter in IPL history to surpass 4,000 runs as an opening batter.
Rahul owns 4,041 runs from 94 matches at 49.88 (SR: 137.68). He has struck 34 fifties and four centuries as an opener.
Rahul, who averages 46.33 in the tournament, overall owns 4,541 runs in IPL. His strike rate reads 135.18.
#4
Virat Kohli - 4,041 runs
Like Rahul, former Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Virat Kohli also owns exactly 4,041 IPL runs as an opener.
He has opened 107 times in the competition so far. All his eight tons, the most for any batter in IPL, have come while opening the innings.
The RCB talisman also owns 29 fifties in this regard. He averages 44.90 as an opener (SR: 136.47).
#3
Chris Gayle - 4,480 runs
Universe Boss Chris Gayle is next on the list as 4,480 of his IPL runs came while opening the batting in 122 innings.
While he averages 41.86 in this regard, his strike rate of 151.40 is the best among openers with at least 3,000 IPL runs.
Gayle has six tons and 28 fifties as an opener in IPL.
#2
David Warner - 5,909 runs
One of the most dangerous openers in T20 history, David Warner has 5,909 runs while opening in IPL (162 innings).
Warner averages 40.19 while batting at the top as his strike rate of 140.85 is also impressive.
The tally includes 56 fifties and four tons. He is the only player to have won the Orange Cap thrice in IPL.
#1
Shikhar Dhawan - 6,362 runs
With 6,362 runs across 202 innings as an opener, Shikhar Dhawan tops this unique list.
The southpaw, who happens to be the only batter to have opened more than 165 times in IPL, averages 35.54 in this regard (SR: 128.11).
He has 47 fifties besides a couple of tons.
In 2020, Dhawan became the first-ever player to smash tons in two consecutive IPL games.