IPL Stats: Years 2013 and 2016 A Bonanza For Batters In History of Tournament

The Indian Premier League gives an ideal platform for batters to get their recognition when it comes to run-scoring. The IPL, watched by millions all over the world, gives audiences the hitting prowess and consistency that the batters possess. Thus, the batter who tops the IPL season for most runs gets presented with the Orange Cap. That cap is a symbol that he will be the next big thing in the format when it comes to international cricket.

In the first few editions of the IPL, batsmen scoring over 500 and 600 runs was not surprising. Playing on flat tracks in the Indian sub-continent, batsmen flourished. Shaun Marsh and Sachin Tendulkar were the first individuals to go past 600 runs in 2008 and 2010. In 2012, Chris Gayle shattered all batting records when he went past 700 runs in a single edition. From that point in time, batters pushed the barriers of run-scoring to a different level altogether.

IPL Batsmen Prosper in 2013 and 2016

However, if one has to point the time when batters began enjoying the IPL, then the years 2013 and 2016 stand out. In 2013, two batters went past 700 runs while one registered over 600 runs. Michael Hussey and Chris Gayle dominated the run-charts with 733 and 708 runs respectively. It was a record-breaking run for Gayle, who secured back-to-back 700 runs in an edition. In one match, Chris Gayle blasted a world record 175 off 66 balls which included 17 sixes. His 100 came off 30 balls and the opponent, Sahara Pune Warriors were totally blown away. Here is the list for most runs in 2013.

Hussey, on the other hand, was consistent at the top for Chennai Super Kings as he smashed six fifties with a high of 95. Virat Kohli had the joint-most fifties with six but he agonizingly fell short of a ton when he smashed 99. But, if 2013 set the benchmark, then 2016 pushed the barriers of excellence to another level.

IPL 2016 Pushes The Barrier Even More

The year 2016 was a bonanza for batters. Kohli pushed the barriers of excellence to another level when he smashed a world record 973 runs with four centuries. If one has to put it into perspective, then Kohli fell short by one run to match Sir Don Bradman’s tally of 974 runs which was in five Tests. Bradman’s mark has never been eclipsed. It is possible that Kohli’s feat might never be matched.

But, to match Kohli, David Warner almost came close. He smashed 848 runs and led Sunrisers Hyderabad to their maiden IPL title. A distant third but with tremendous impact, AB de Villiers blasted 687 runs. It was the first time in history that three batsmen averaged over 50 and had strike rates in excess of 150.

Minimum cutoff is 350 runs in an edition

IPL 2016 is considered as a watershed when it comes to batsmanship in the IPL. This might never be repeated in the history of the tournament.