List Of Indian Batsmen Who Have Scored 600 Or More Runs In An IPL Season

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a breeding ground for a host of Indian cricketers where their career foundation has taken place. The exposure to world-class fast bowlers and spinners from all parts of the globe have been integral to their international careers. It helps them prepare for the rigours of white-ball cricket and eventually play Tests too.

Over the years, several Indian batsmen have piled up massive amounts of runs in the tournament; however, very few have reached 600 runs. While the pitches in IPL are favourable for the batting side, batsmen do need to have skills and temperament against top-notch bowling and fielding sides to reach that landmark. The incredible thing about the cash-rich league is that batsmen have 14 matches to get to 600 runs and compensate a lean run.

We take a look at six Indian batsmen who completed 600 runs in an IPL season:

Ambati Rayudu (2018 – 602):

Ambati Rayudu is an accomplished Indian batsman, who could not enough chances at the international level. Nevertheless, Ambati Rayudu has an imposing record in IPL and was part of Mumbai Indians for three years when they won the title. The 35-year old went on to play for Chennai Super Kings from 2018.

The right-handed batsman opened the innings for the most part in 2018 with Shane Watson and formed a formidable pair. In 16 matches, he brought up 602 runs at 43 with a strike rate of 149.75. In the course of that, Rayudu also brought up three fifties and a solitary hundred, helping Chennai Super Kings clinch their third title by beating SunRisers Hyderabad.

Sachin Tendulkar (2010 – 618):

Sachin Tendulkar had an excellent IPL career, having not played much of T20 cricket in his year and only one T20 international. Sachin Tendulkar ended up with a jaw-dropping 618 runs in 2010 for the Mumbai Indians at an average of 47.54 and a strike rate of 132.62 and earned the Orange Cap. It was a massive leap from the last two seasons in which he managed only 188 and 364 runs respectively.

The 47-year old top-scored with 48 in the final of 2010 against Chennai Super Kings; however, could not win the title for Mumbai Indians. Tendulkar starred for the Mumbai Indians in three more seasons before retiring, mustering 553, 324, and 287 runs respectively as the franchise won its first title in 2013.

Robin Uthappa (2014 – 660):

Robin Uthappa’s best year in IPL was undoubtedly the 2014 one when he batted in a different league. Robin Uthappa, who starred for the Kolkata Knight Riders that year, hammered 660 runs in 16 games at 44. In the course of that, the keeper-batsman accumulated five-half-centuries and maintained a strike rate of 137.69.

At present, Uthappa is part of Rajasthan Royals with whom he has endured a forgettable season. Despite opening the batting after the first few games, the veteran had only one inning in which he produced the spark. In 2020, the 35-year old managed only 196 runs at 16.33 at a strike rate of 119.51.

KL Rahul (2018 – 659, 2020 – 670):

KL Rahul has enjoyed a meteoric rise with regards to IPL and international cricket in the last few years. Kings XI Punjab roped in KL Rahul in 2018 for a whopping INR 11 crores and he lived up to the billing. In an otherwise shambolic season for Kings XI Punjab, the 28-year old made 659 runs in 14 games at 54.92 with a strike rate of 158.41.

The Karnataka batsman also crossed the landmark of 600 runs in IPL 2020 as he signed off by mustering 670 runs. Rahul amassed six fifties and smoked a hundred against Royal Challengers Bangalore, finishing unbeaten at 132 off 69 balls. He will most likely end up with the Orange Cap this year as the next batsman is more than a hundred runs adrift.

Rishabh Pant (2018 – 684 runs):

Keeper-batsman Rishabh Pant was arguably in the form of his life in IPL 2018 when he maintained a whopping strike rate of 173.60. Rishabh Pant did show glimpses of his outstanding power-hitting skills in the last two seasons; however, it all came together in 2018. The southpaw hammered 684 runs in 14 games at 52.62 with five fifties and one hundred.

Sadly, the 22-year old’s form has dropped massively at present. In 12 matches in IPL 2020, Pant only has 285 runs at 28.50 with a strike rate of 109.62. The youngster often looks clueless at the crease as his shots always seem mistimed and short of self-belief. His form and fitness concerns have also led to his omission from India’s limited-overs team.

Virat Kohli – (634 – 2013, 973 – 2016):

Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli is the highest run-getter in the history of IPL and is a custodian of numerous other records. Virat Kohli’s first IPL appearance was in 2008 and since then he has only grown from strength to strength. The 2013 season was undoubtedly the turning point of his career in the cash-rich league in which he clattered 634 runs in 16 games at 45.29.

The 31-year old batted in a league of his own in 2016 when he smashed seven fifties and four centuries in the tournament, lifting his average to 81.08 in 16 games. The tally of 973 runs is the highest by a batsman in a single season. Nevertheless, the Royal Challengers could not lift the title despite Kohli’s magnificent show as they fell short in the final to SunRisers Hyderabad.

Also Read: Top-5 Uncapped Indian Players With Most Runs In IPL 2020

(All Stats Updated Till 7th November, 2020)