Indian Premier League (IPL) is cricket’s biggest carnival, where glamour meets talent and the game redefines its very boundaries. Amidst all the chaos surrounding IPL, there is one question that keeps fans engaged: Who is the king of IPL?
Since 2008, the tournament has seen many superstars rise to the occasion, records tumble, and fans cheer for their favorite stars.
Well, the answer to this question is not easy as it can be subjected to individual interpretation. Because IPL is filled with many explosive batsmen, crafty bowlers, and inspirational leaders.
Let’s look at it through the cricketing lens and find out more about it.
What Makes a Player the “King”?
First, let’s establish the parameters and things that make someone the king of IPL. It could be the runs they’ve piled on for years, or trophies they collected, or the way they captured the attention of the fans with their on-field antics.
Or it could be the mix of all these factors combined, and we are looking for players who have consistency, impact, and legacy.
For many fans, this could be subjective to their interpretation of the player. However, there are some players who’ve impacted the IPL with their consistent performance and left a legacy in the league. Let’s have a look.
Who is the King of IPL?
If we are to look for the God of IPL, there is no looking further than Virat Kohli. He is the undisputed king of the league.
Apart from Virat, we also have MS Dhoni, Chris Gayle, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah. All these players have left a lasting impression on fans. Have a look.
Virat Kohli: The Run Machine
When it comes to sheer domination with the bat in the league, there is no comparison to Virat Kohli. He is the ultimate goat of IPL.
Playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) from the start, Virat has broken many records for the team and himself. The 2016 was the best season in his illustrious career in IPL. It was the season when he made 973 runs in just one season including four centuries.
When someone asks you “Who is the king of IPL?” simply reply with Virat Kohli’s name.
- He has scored the most runs in IPL history (8004) in 252 matches with a strike rate of 131.97.
- He also has the greatest number of hundreds (8) in the league.
- He has played for one team from the start. This has earned him respect from all kinds of fans worldwide.
- His aggression on the field also makes him one of the best players to watch on the field.
MS Dhoni: Captain Cool
If IPL was a living and breathing thing with a heartbeat, then it would thump the rhythm of “Dhoni Dhoni.” The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain has played his part in the IPL to perfection.
Under the leadership of MS Dhoni, CSK has been able to bag multiple (five) titles. This feat has made him one of the most successful captains in the league. He is considered a player of sharp mind who can read the game and turn it on its head.
His composure is often talked about by fans and cricket experts. His ability to handle high-pressure situations makes him the king of IPL. This is why he is considered as the best finisher in the IPL history.
- He has scored 5243 runs with a strike rate of 137.54 in 264 matches.
- He has led his team (CSK) to five IPL titles.
- Fans love MS Dhoni for his composure and ability to handle high-pressure situations. Dhoni is one of the reasons why CSK has the most fans among the IPL teams.
Rohit Sharma: The Hitman
Rohit Sharma can be categorized as the king of cricket in IPL. His batting is a sight to behold for his fans. His elegant stroke play and ability to hit big sixes make him a tough challenge for bowlers.
He has mastered the art of captaincy and has a knack for making the right calls under pressure. His approach has turned the MI into a well-oiled machine.
Just like MS Dhoni, he has also won five IPL Trophies as a captain of Mumbai Indians (MI). However, he also won another IPL trophy as a player with Deccan Chargers before switching to Mumbai Indians. So, he has 6 IPL trophies in the bag; he can be called the trophy collector.
So, who is the king of IPL? It’s none other than, Rohit “The Hitman” Sharma.
- Rohit Sharma has scored 6628 runs in IPL with a strike rate of 131.14.
- Rohit also led his team (MI) to five IPL titles and also won another title with Deccan Chargers as a player.
- Rohit has the second most sixes (280) in the IPL after the universe boss Chris Gayle.
Chris Gayle: The Universe Boss
We cannot complete any discussion about the IPL without mentioning the name of Chris Gayle. Chris Gayle, affectionately called the Universe Boss, is a player who has changed the dynamics of T20 batting.
When Gayle is on song, the bowlers look to hide under a rock. He is a player who doesn’t spare any bowler when it starts hitting them for long boundaries.
His innings of 175 not out off just 66 balls in 2013 is the stuff of folklore. In that inning, he scored the fastest century in IPL history in just 30 balls. His ability to clear the rope with will has made him a fan favorite. While he may not have a trophy cabinet as loaded as Rohit or Dhoni, he certainly had an impact on IPL.
- Gayle finished his IPL career with 4965 runs with a strike rate of 148.96 in just 142 matches.
- Chris Gayle holds the record for hitting the most sixes (357) in IPL history.
- He also holds the record for the fastest century in IPL history.
Jasprit Bumrah: Boom Boom
Jasprit Bumrah is known for rattling stumps and breaking partnerships. Affectionately known as “Boom Boom” for his explosive bowling, Bumrah has been the key player for Mumbai Indians for about a decade now. He is the kind of bowler that can send chills to the opposition batters.
His unique sling-arm action and precise Yorkers are second to none. Whenever the team is in trouble, Bumrah is your go-to bowler. Over the years, Bumrah has bowled many spells for MI that have put the team in a winning position.
Fans consider him the modern messiah of Indian cricket. They especially love him for his controlled aggression on the field. However, his calm demeanor contrasts sharply with his fiery deliveries on the field.
What Do Fans Think?
Cricket is like a religion in India and the players are considered as literal gods. So, when asked about “Who is the king of IPL”, the debate ensues on social media platforms.
The fans battle out on various social media platforms like gladiators. Fans of Kohli support him with the amount of runs he has scored, Dhoni’s fans highlight his trophies, and Rohit Sharma fans often rave about his captaincy.
Even the fans aren’t able to pick one name from the list of top legends that played in IPL.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is no one winner that wears the crown of “King of IPL.” Each of these players has brought something unique to the table and contributed to the success of IPL. What the IPL is today is because of these players who entertained us with all their might.
What do you think? Who is your King of the IPL? Give us your thoughts in the comment section.
FAQs
Q.1 Who is considered the king of IPL history?
Ans: The king of IPL is a subjective title and could refer to various players but most of the fans consider Virat Kohli as the King of IPL.
Q.2 Who is the sixer king of IPL?
Ans: When it comes to the big-hitting, there is one name that comes to mind, Chris Gayle. He is the undisputed sixer king of IPL.
Q.3 Which player has won the most IPL titles?
Ans: Rohit Sharma has won the most IPL titles, five as a captain of Mumbai Indians and one as a player of Deccan Chargers.
