The Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed extraordinary performances over the years, with batters often stepping up to deliver top-notch performances. The pressure of an IPL final is immense, requiring players to exhibit mental fortitude to perform at their peak. The fact that only two batters have managed to score a century in an IPL final shows how challenging the finals are. For those interested in online cricket betting, these high-stake matches offer an exciting opportunity to engage with the game.
Standout Batters in Every IPL Final
The following is a list of batters who have risen to the occasion of the IPL final and delivered a batting masterclass when it mattered the most:
Venkatesh Iyer – 52 Runs – 2024
- Venkatesh Iyer, a left-handed batsman, made 52 runs at a strike rate 200 in the IPL 2024 clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). His score includes 4 fours and 3 sixes.
- His amazing innings helped the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) win the match by 8 wickets.
Sai Sudhasrsan – 96 Runs – 2023
- Sai Sudharsan, a classy left-hander, made 96 brilliant runs in the IPL 2023 when the Gujarat Titans (GT) took on the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). His score includes 8 fours and 6 sixes.
- Despite Sai Sudharsan’s valiant efforts, CSK won the match by 5 wickets.
Shubman Gill – 45 Runs – 2022
- Shubman Gill, a free-flowing batter, made a vital contribution of 45 runs in the IPL 2022 final when the Gujarat Titans (GT) took on the Rajasthan Royals (RR).
- Shubman Gill’s steady innings helped GT win the IPL final by 7 wickets.
Faf du Plessis – 86 Runs – 2021
- Faf du Plessis smashed bowlers for fun in the 2021 IPL final when the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) took on the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
- Faf du Plessis scored 86 runs in just 59 balls, helping the CSK team win the IPL final by 27 runs.
Rohit Sharma – 68 Runs – 2020
- Rohit Sharma was at his best in the IPL 2020 final when the Mumbai Indians (MI) took on the Delhi Capitals (DC) team.
- Rohit Sharma scored 68 runs in just 51 balls, ensuring MI won the IPL final by 5 wickets.
Shane Watson – 80 Runs – 2019
- Shane Watson, the destructive batter, was in no mood to spare the bowlers in the IPL 2019 final when CSK took on MI.
- Shane Watson scored 80 runs in 59 balls, ensuring that CSK became the IPL champion.
Shane Watson – 117 Runs – 2018
- Shane Watson delivered one of the epic batting performances in IPL history when CSK took on SRH in the IPL 2018 final.
- Shane Watson scored 117 runs in just 57 balls, making a mockery of the 179-run target.
Steve Smith – 51 Runs – 2017
- Steve Smith played a steady innings in the IPL 2017 final when the Mumbai Indians (MI) took on the Rising Pune Supergiant.
- Despite Steve Smith’s 51 runs, MI won the match by 1 run.
Chris Gayle – 76 Runs – 2016
- Chris Gayle, easily the best T20 batter in the world, played a breathtaking inning when the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) took on the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
- Chris Gayle’s 76 runs went in vain, as SRH won the match by 8 runs.
Lendl Simmons – 68 Runs – 2015
- Lendl Simmons played a brilliant knock when MI took on CSK in the 2015 IPL final.
- Lendl Simmons’s 68 runs from 45 balls helped MI win the match by 41 runs.
Wriddhiman Saha – 115 Runs – 2014
- Wriddhiman Saha was the first batter to score a hundred in the IPL final when the Punjab Kings (PBKS) took on the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
- Despite Wriddhiman Saha scoring 115 runs from just 55 balls, KKR won the match by 3 wickets.
MS Dhoni – 63 Runs – 2013
- MS Dhoni made 68 runs in the IPL 2013 final when CSK took on MI.
- MS Dhoni’s half-century came in a losing cause, as MI won the match by 23 runs.
Manvinder Bisla – 89 Runs – 2012
- Manvinder Bisla played an innings of a lifetime when KKR took on CSK in the 2012 IPL final.
- Manvinder Bisla’s 89 runs helped KKR win the match by 5 wickets.
Murali Vijay – 95 Runs – 2011
- Murali Vijay played a dazzling innings when CSK played RCB in the 2011 IPL final.
- Murali Vijay’s aggressive 95 runs helped CSK win the match by 58 runs.
Suresh Raina – 57 Runs – 2010
- Suresh Raina, Mr. IPL, brought his A-game to the table when CSK played MI in the IPL 2010 final.
- Suresh Raina’s half-century helped CSK post a decent total in the final, which proved enough eventually.
Herchelle Gibbs – 53 Runs – 2009
- Herchelle Gibbs scored 53 runs in the IPL 2009 final, where the Deccan Chargers played RCB.
- Herchelle Gibbs’s half-century helped the Deccan Chargers post 143, which the team defended successfully.
Yusuf Pathan – 56 Runs – 2008
- Yusuf Pathan played a game-changing innings when RR took on CSK in the IPL 2008 final.
- Yusuf Pathan’s 56 runs were crucial, as RR won the match by just 3 wickets and with no ball to spare.
Concluding Thoughts
One good day for a destructive batter in the final can win the team an IPL trophy. There have been 2 centuries in the IPL finals, one from Wriddhiman Saha in the losing cause and the other from Shane Watson in the winning cause. As the league continues to evolve, each final remains a testament to the enduring allure of cricket’s most prestigious T20 competition.
