41 Greatest IPL Cricketers Ever—Who Is the Best IPL Player Ever? (The BCD List)

Who are the greatest IPL cricketers ever?

17 years since it’s inception, the Indian Premier League has taken world cricket by storm. Today we reflect upon the best IPL players to have ever played in the league.

Over a hundred players were considered in this rankings. Suresh Raina edges MS Dhoni for the top spot with AB de Villiers, Sunil Narine, David Warner, and Virat Kohli following closely.

Top 15 Greatest IPL Cricketers of All-Time: Undisputed Legends of the League

Teams: Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Lions

Years Played: 2008-

IPL Wins: 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021

Stats: 205 Matches, 5528 Runs, 25 Wickets, 108 Catches

Notable Achievements: First Player to 5000 IPL Runs, 7 consecutive seasons with 400+ runs, has scored the most runs in IPL playoffs

For the first decade of the tournament, Suresh Raina was synonymous with the tournament. Mr. IPL, as he was often called, he took the tournament by force.

If you want to understand the impact Suresh Raina had on the IPL, just watch his 87 (25) against KXIP, which he scored during the Powerplay. ‘Chinna Thala’ to CSK fans, he kept the batting line up together for the Haydens & Husseys up top and the Dhonis & Jadejas to follow.

A handy spinner at the Chepauk and one of the best fielders India ever produced.

Teams: Chennai Super Kings, Rising Pune SuperGiants

Years Played: 2008-2021

IPL Wins: 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023

Stats: 252 Matches, 5082 Runs, 145 Catches, 42 Stumpings

Notable Achievements: Most Number of Sixes Between 16-20 Overs, Second Most Wins as IPL Captain

When the IPL began way back in 2008, not many would have anticipated MS Dhoni to be as closely associated as we now know it. The boy from Ranchi is the ‘Thala’ to CSK fans. 

MS Dhoni can finish games with his monstrous sixes, transform Shardul Thakur to become the Lord, take a dad’s army and win the IPL, and can win matches by ‘bits and pieces’ players. 

He may be one of the best hitters of the IPL, but he is most definitely, the best captain the IPL has ever produced. 

Teams: Delhi Daredevils, Royal Challengers Bangalore

Years Played: 2008-2021

IPL Wins: None

Stats: 184 Matches, 5162 Runs, 118 Catches, 8 Stumpings

Notable Achievements: In IPL 2016, ABD scored 687 runs at 52.84 average and an astonishing SR of 168.79, which included one century and six fifties

AB De Villiers’ assault against Dale Steyn is perhaps the most eye catching batting in the IPL.

Countrymen, both at their peaks, battled against each other in a close game. AB de Villiers was the clear winner, sweeping & reverse swatting Steyn. In that game, de Villiers went from a great batter to a legendary one. 

One of the few overseas players loved across all of India.

Teams: Kolkata Knight Riders

Years Played: 2012-

IPL Wins: 2012, 2014

Stats: 164 Matches, 165 Wickets, 1095 Runs

Notable Achievements: MVP IPL 2018, Best SR in 2018 (189.89), Economy Rate of 6.74, IPL career batting SR of 160.79

The cricket world has not seen as versatile of a player as Sunil Narine.

The first mystery spinner to consistently be a threat across multiple seasons, his economy rate suffocated the opposition.

Second highest wicket taker in IPL 2012 & 2014, Narine was one of the central cogs to KKR’s IPL triumphs.

After being called for illegal action in international cricket, Narine’s effectiveness temporarily decreased. However, he bounced off as a pinch hitter and a decent bowler. The 105-run partner with Chris ‘LynnSanity’ Lynn in the Powerplay is one of the iconic moments in all the IPLs. 

Teams: Delhi Daredevils, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals

Years Played: 2009-

IPL Wins: 2016

Stats: 178 Matches, 6475 Runs, 79 Catches

Notable Achievements: Orange Cap Winner (2015, 2017, 2019). Boasts an average of 41.51 in IPL cricket

After arriving at Sunrisers Hyderabad, David Warner was a completely different beast. 

From 2014 onwards, Warner scored 528, 562, 848, 641, 692, and 548 runs respectively in consecutive season.

Leading Sunrisers Hyderabad to a victory in 2016 having to go through the Eliminator, Qualifier, and the Finals has to be the highlight of his IPL career. He scored 93*(58) in the Qualifier and 69 (58) in the Final. 

Unfortunate in the way he was removed from SRH after creating a lasting legacy.

Teams: Mumbai Indians

Years Played: 2009-2019

IPL Wins: 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019

Stats: 122 Matches, 170 Wickets, 20 Catches

Notable Achievements: Purple Cap (2011). Took 28, 22, and 20 in IPL 2011-13 respectively as well as 24 wickets in 2015.

In a world starting to love the six fest in T20 cricket, Lasith Malinga made pace, yorkers, and dot balls sexy. 

One of the moments of the tournament was the IPL 2019 Final. 9 needed in the final over, Malinga kept it tight before delivering a slower yorker to outfox Shardul Thakur and win the tournament for the Mumbai Indians yet again.

Teams: Royal Challengers Bangalore

Years Played: 2008-

IPL Wins: None

Stats: 240 Matches, 7444 Runs, 110 Catches

Notable Achievements: Leading Run Scorer in all of the IPL, Most Hundreds in the IPL (7), Orange Cap Winner (2016) and scored the most runs in a single IPL season ever (973) 

Virat Kohli’s 2016 season is the single greatest individual performance in any cricket league around the world. 

With four centuries and 973 runs, Kohli lead RCB to the finals only to come agonizingly short by 8 runs in a high score chase.

A constant fixture for RCB over the years, forming great partnerships with Gayle, de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, and Maxwell, Kohli established himself as the premier Indian batter in the competition.

Teams: Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Lions, Chennai Super Kings

Years Played: 2008-2022

IPL Wins: 2011, 2018

Stats: 161 Matches, 1560 Runs, 183 Wickets, 80 Catches

Notable Achievements: Purple Cap Winner (2013, 2015)

Constantly competing with his friend, Kieron Pollard, for the most T20 franchise wins in history, Bravo developed his skill as a canny medium pacer in the IPL. 

He could bowl at the death or the middle overs and was a handful with his batting cameos as well.

One of the few players to win the IPL for both the Mumbai Indians and the Chennai Super Kings.

Teams: Deccan Chargers, Mumbai Indians

IPL Wins: 2009, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020

Stats: 245 Matches, 6280 Runs, 99 Catches

Notable Achievements: 5-Time IPL Winning Captain, Has a Hat-Trick in the IPL

Emerging Player award winner of IPL 2009 with DC, Rohit Sharma would fulfill his potential as a batter and as a captain.

Changed the trajectory of the MI franchise, created a legacy, and was the ideal opener till 2017.

Although the runs have dried up in the last seven years, he remains as shrewd as ever as a leader in the side. Will be interesting to see how he performs under the captaincy of Hardik Pandya.

Teams: Mumbai Indians

Years Played: 2010-2022

IPL Wins: 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020

Stats: 189 Matches, 3412 Runs, 69 Wickets, 103 Catches

Notable Achievements: Player of the Final (IPL 2013), 7th Most Number of Sixes (223 in just 2316 balls)

Champions League T20 was a blessing in disguise as the world discovered Kieron Pollard in 2009.

It took MI a couple of years to optimize Pollard’s batting position, but once he found his feet, the rest is history.

Alongside the Pandya brothers, Pollard formed one of the most destructive finishing trios of all-time. 

Teams: Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Punjab Kings

Years Played: 2009-2021

IPL Wins: None

Stats: 142 Matches, 4965 Runs, 18 Wickets, 29 Catches

Notable Achievements: MVP (2011), Orange Cap (2011, 2012), Most Sixes in a Season (2011, 2012, 2013, 2015), Most IPL Sixes of All-time (357), Highest Individual Score (175*)

An injury substitute changed the history of RCB forever. In 2011, Gayle came as a substitute and became the orange cap holder. 

With Virat Kohli & AB de Villiers, RCB formed one of the great IPL top orders. 

It is safe to say that Chris Gayle took the IPL to another level.

Teams: Delhi Daredevils, Mumbai Indians, Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings

Years Played: 2008-

IPL Wins: 2016

Stats: 220 Matches, 6754 Runs, 100 Catches

Notable Achievements: 7 Consecutive 450+ Run Season, 2nd Highest run scorer in the IPL of all-time

Always in the running for the Orange Cap, Shikhar Dhawan is one of the stalwarts of the SRH franchise.

Formed the core of the 2016 winning franchise along with Warner & Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Teams: Kolkata Knight Riders

Years Played: 2012-

IPL Wins: 2012, 2014

Stats: 114 Matches, 2326 Runs, 100 Wickets

Notable Achievements: MVP (2015, 2019), Most Sixes in IPL 2019. The best IPL strike rates in all of IPL (175.55). Dre Russ has hit more sixes (200) than fours (153)

Muscular built like a NFL superstar, Andre Russell has changed power-hitting in cricket. Even mistime hits go into the second tier. 

Dre Russ is the complete package as a boundary rider and a death bowling specialist. KKR has preserved him (and Narine) even though his knee doesn’t function every now and then.

Teams: Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Chennai Super Kings

Years Played: 2008-2020

IPL Wins: 2008, 2018

Notable Achievements: MVP (2008), Player of the Final (2018)

Shane Watson was one of the first international stars of the IPL. Out of favor from the international side, Watson’s 2008 all-round performance took RR to the inaugural win.

At the end of his career with CSK, his playoff and finals performance in IPL 2018 was one of IPL’s most memorable stories. 

Teams: Mumbai Indians

Years Played: 2013-

IPL Wins: 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020

Notable Achievements: Player of the Final (2019)

Under the tutelage of Lasith Malinga, MI found another death-bowling specialist. 

The yorkers, slower deliveries, and iconic run up has been one of the sights of the IPL. Looking forward to another decade of Jasprit Bumrah.

#16-30 Greatest IPL Cricketers of All-Time

Teams: Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings

Years Played: 2010-2023

IPL Wins: 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2023

Stats: 175 Matches, 3916 Runs, 58 Catches, 2 Stumpings

Notable Achievements: Part of the most IPL winning campaigns

Ambati Rayudu was the backbone of the middle order (and sometimes as an opener) for both the great IPL franchises, Mumbai Indians & Chennai Super Kings.

MI provided Rayudu the opportunity to bounce back after his ICL ban, while CSK provided the perfect farewell after he was no longer considered in international cricket.

Teams: Royal Challengers Bangalore, Pune Warriors India, Sunrisers Hyderabad

Years Played: 2011-

IPL Wins: 2016

Stats: 162 Matches, 170 Wickets, 32 Catches

Notable Achievements: Purple Cap Winner (2016, 2017)

The only bowler apart from Dwayne Bravo to win two Purple Caps in the IPL.

SRH showed the world that strong bowling wins tournaments, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar lead this effort for them. At the height of his IPL career, Bhuvneshwar spearheaded both the swing department and the death bowling.

Teams: Delhi Daredevils, Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants

Years Played: 2008-

IPL Wins: None

Stats: 154 Matches, 173 Wickets, 24 Catches

Notable Achievements: Three IPL Hat-tricks, 4th Highest Wicket-Taker 

An uncanny legspinner, Amit Mishra has had a frutiful IPL career. 

Consistently at the top of the bowling charts of the IPL, Amit Mishra is unfortunate to not lift a trophy.

The Impact Player rule has given Mishra a second life and extended his career by another 4-5 years.

Teams: Delhi Daredevils, Kolkata Knight Riders

Years Played: 2008-2018

IPL Wins: 2012, 2014

Stats: 154 Matches, 4217 Runs, 28 Catches

Notable Achievements: Two-time IPL winning captain

Known for his leadership, Gambhir led from the front in 2012 with 590 runs. Along with Robin Uthappa & Manish Pandey, formed a top order to take KKR to great heights.

Back at Delhi after KKR stint, he took the courageous decision to drop himself midway through the IPL after a patch of poor form.

KKR has still not reached the heights that Gambhir took them to all these years later.

Teams: Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Pune Warriors India, Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings

IPL Wins: 2014, 2021

Stats: 205 Matches, 4952 Runs

Notable Achievements: Orange Cap Winner (2014)

If Gambhir scored the bulk of the runs in KKR’s 2012 triumph, it was Robin Uthappa who was a class apart in 2014.

It took Uthappa a while to find his feet in the IPL with different teams, but he had three brilliant phases.

In IPL 2010, he was the finisher of the tournament. Then he scored lots of runs at KKR, and finally ended his career at CSK after playing a couple of eye-catching innings.

Teams: Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rajasthan Royals

Years Played: 2011-

IPL Wins: 2013

Stats: 147 Matches, 190 Wickets

Notable Achievements: Highest Wicket-Taker of All-Time, Purple Cap Winner (2022)

If you can succeed at the Chinnaswamy with legspin, you have to be a great bowler.

While bowlers were swapped in and out at RCB, Chahal was the only constant in that bowling line up.

Not retained by the RCB, he found a new home in RR building a new partnership with Ravichandran Ashwin.

Teams: Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Punjab Kings, Lucknow Super Giants

Years Played: 2013-

IPL Wins: None

Stats: 120 Matches, 4236 Runs, 63 Catches, 5 Stumpings

Notable Achievements: 5 Consecutive 550+ Seasons between 2018-2022 (659, 593, 670, 626, 616)

One of the most talented batters India has ever produced, KL Rahul is always among the runs. Yet he finds himself under scrutiny from time to time for his strike rate and captaincy.

Expect him to rise in the list and win trophies over the next decade.

Teams: Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals

Years Played: 2016-

IPL Wins: 2017

Stats: 98 Matches, 3245 Runs

Notable Achievements: He has scored 5 hundreds in the IPL, including 4 in the 2022 season, where he scored 863 runs.

Jos Buttler came into fore with his heroics in the 2018 IPL, where his fifties single handedly got RR into the Playoffs.

However it was his almost Kohli-esque 2022 season, where he scored 863 runs and four centuries.

The question is, can he bring that form back to life?

Teams: Rajasthan Royals, Kochi Tuskers Kerela, Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Lions 

IPL Wins: 2008, 2018, 2021, 2023

Stats: 228 Matches, 152 Wickets, 2724 Runs, 97 Catches

Notable Achievements: Only player with 2500+ Runs and 150+ Wickets

Jadeja can do it all.

He can keep it tight, finish IPL finals, take diving catches, and impact run-outs. 

An important cog in MS Dhoni’s machine at CSK.

Teams: Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Titans

Years Played: 2015-

IPL Wins: 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2022

Stats: 125 Matches, 2344 Runs, 54 Wickets, 66 Catches

Notable Achievements: Player of the Final (2022), IPL Winning Captain (2022)

Established himself as a gun finisher at Mumbai Indians before moving to Gujarat Titans as a #3 captain.

An Indian pace bowling all-rounder who can bat in the Top 5, Hardik is one of the most precious players in Indian cricket (if he remains injury-free).

Time will tell how the switchback to Mumbai Indians as a captain works out for him.

Teams: Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians

Years Played: 2008-

IPL Wins: 2014

Stats: 183 Matches, 181 Wickets

Notable Achievements: 3rd Highest Wicket-Taker in IPL History

For 10 months, you forget that Piyush Chawla is younger than Kohli, Russell, Narine, DK, and whole lots of other players. Enter IPL time, Chawla is on another level, one of the most consistent wicket-taker of the league.

In 2023, he ended up picking 22 wickets, his highest haul in a season.

Teams: Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders

Years Played: 2012-

IPL Wins: 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020

Stats: 139 Matches, 3249 Runs, 64 Catches

Notable Achievements: 3rd Highest Wicket-Taker in IPL History

Suryakumar Yadav has made the #4 position his own at the Mumbai Indians. 

Started his career with quick cameos at KKR but has produced 300+ seasons every year since 2018. In 2023, he scored 605 runs at 43.21 average and an astonishing 181.14 SR.

Teams: Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders

Years Played: 2008-2021

IPL Wins: 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018

Stats: 163 Matches, 150 Wickets, 49 Catches

Notable Achievements: 3rd Highest Wicket-Taker of IPL 2013

Played for all three spin dominant franchises – MI, CSK, and KKR.

He was always a consistent force for MI, but didn’t have other breakout seasons apart from IPL 2013. 

Teams: Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad

Years Played: 2008-2019

IPL Wins: 2008, 2012, 2014, 2016

Stats: 174 Matches, 3204 Runs, 42 Wickets, 43 Catches

Notable Achievements: Highest 5th Wicket-Partnership with Shakib in IPL 2016

One of India’s first IPL finishers. 

Continued his excellence from the India T20I experience into the inaugural season of the IPL. Later, was a dependable player for KKR in the end overs.

His 100 (37) against MI in 2010 remains one of the best innings of the IPL.

Teams: Chennai Super Kings, Rising Pune Supergiant, Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals

Years Played: 2010-

IPL Wins: 2010, 2011

Stats: 199 Matches, 172 Wickets, 743 Runs

Notable Achievements: 5th Highest Wicket-Taker in the IPL

Made his name in the IPL as an off spinner who bowled in the Powerplay.

Over the years, he has delivered variations and can bowl at any point in the match.

His development with the bat at RR is quite interesting to see as well as he has opened, batted at #3, retired himself out, and finished matches.

Teams: Sunrisers Hyderabad, Gujarat Titans

Years Played: 2017-

IPL Wins: 2022

Stats: 111 Matches, 141 Wickets, 38 Catches

Notable Achievements: Noted for his lower order batting, he strikes at 165.31 and has a highest score of 79*

In his short career, Rashid Khan has already had tons of impact on both of his franchises.

Kept the spin bowling lineup together at SRH and was one of the key figures for IPL victory at the Gujarat Titans.

#31-41 Greatest IPL Cricketers

Teams: Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Gujarat Lions, Kolkata Knight Riders

Years Played: 2008-

IPL Wins: 2013

Stats: 245 Matches, 4602 Runs, 141 Catches, 36 Stumpings 

Notable Achievements: Highest SR in IPL 2022

Probably one of India’s greatest T20 finisher, Dinesh Karthik had to redevelop his game over the years.

His first success was with the MI, batting at #3. Later, he developed as a dependable #5 batter-captain-keeper at KKR before becoming a full-time finisher (and commentator) during his time at RCB.

Teams: Chennai Super Kings, Rising Pune Supergiant Royal Challengers Bangalore

Years Played: 2012-

IPL Wins: 2011, 2018, 2021

Stats: 133 Matches, 4179 Runs, 73 Catches

Notable Achievements: 730 Runs in IPL 2023 with 36 sixes, 8 fifties

Teams: Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Daredevils

Years Played: 2013-

IPL Wins: None

Stats: 154 Matches, 3985 Runs, 78 Catches, 15 Stumpings

Notable Achievements: Scored a century in IPL 2017, 2019, and 2021 respectively (along with a 92* in 2018)

Teams: Kings XI Punjab

Years Played: 2008-2017

IPL Wins: None

Stats: 71 Matches, 2477 Runs

Notable Achievements: Orange Cap Winner (2008)

Teams: Deccan Chargers, Kings XI Punjab

Years Played: 2008-2013

IPL Wins: 2009

Stats: 80 Matches, 2069 Runs, 51 Catches, 16 Stumpings

Notable Achievements: IPL Winning Captain with the Deccan Chargers, scored 2 centuries in his IPL career

Teams: Delhi Daredevils, Delhi Capitals

Years Played: 2016-

IPL Wins: None

Stats: 101 Matches, 2935 Runs, 67 Catches, 19 Stumpings

Notable Achievements: 684 runs at 52.61 average and 173.60 SR in IPL 2018

Teams: Rajasthan Royals

Years Played: 2008-2011

IPL Wins: 2008

Stats: 55 Matches, 57 Wickets, 16 Catches

Notable Achievements: IPL Winning Captain with the Rajasthan Royals

Teams: Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Daredevils, Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans

Years Played: 2009-2022

IPL Wins: 2022

Stats: 110 Matches, 127 Wickets

Notable Achievements: Took 20 Wickets in IPL 2020 when they won the title

Teams: Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings

Years Played: 2017-

IPL Wins: None

Stats: 72 Matches, 110 Wickets

Notable Achievements: Purple Cap winner in IPL 2020 (30 Wickets), Has taken wickets at 14.89 SR

Teams: Mumbai Indians, Lucknow Super Giants

Years Played: 2013-

IPL Wins: 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020

Stats: 98 Matches, 2965 Runs, 65 Catches, 15 Stumpings

Notable Achievements: Three 500+ run seasons (2019, 2020, 2022)

Honorable Mentions:

Those Who May Make This List in the Future: Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Rinku Singh, Tilak Verma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nicholas Pooran, Axar Patel, Venkatesh Iyer, Varun Chakravarthy, Shivam Dube, Prithvi Shaw, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, Anrich Nortje, Shimron Hetmyer

Unluckly to Miss Out: Kane Williamson, Saurabh Tiwary, Rahul Tripathi, Trent Boult, RP Singh, Pragyan Ojha, Glenn Maxwell, Brendon McCullum, Krunal Pandya, Manish Pandey, Harshal Patel, Sandeep Sharma, Mohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Wriddhiman Saha, Parthiv Patel, Nitish Rana, Hashim Amla, Siddharth Kaul, R Vinay Kumar, Zaheer Khan, Kuldeep Yadav, Siddharth Trivedi, Rahul Dravid, Chris Morris, Sachin Tendulkar, Sanath Jayasuriya, Virender Sehwag, Ben Stokes, Andrew Symonds, James Faulkner, Mitchell Johnson, Mike Hussey, Matthew Hayden, Murali Vijay, Andrew Tye, Rahul Tewatia, Jonny Bairstow, Morne Morkel, Albie Morkel, Nitish Rana, Subramanian Badrinath, Rajat Bhatia, Dale Steyn, Manvinder Bisla, Yuvraj Singh, Sohail Tanvir, Laxmipathy Balaji, Kumar Sangakkara