Cricket

List of Best Batting Averages in IPL

A ranked list of the best career batting averages in IPL history, for players with a minimum number of innings, highlighting the most consistent run-scorers.

7 itemsUpdated Mar 23, 2026

Batting average in T20 cricket is a nuanced statistic — it rewards players who convert starts and avoid low scores. Among high-volume IPL run scorers (500+ runs), David Warner's average of 41.99 from 184 matches is the highest, followed closely by AB de Villiers (39.71), Virat Kohli (39.53), and MS Dhoni (39.27). KL Rahul's average of 47+ in the 2020 Orange Cap-winning season is the best ever by any player in a single IPL season with 400+ runs. Averages can be misleading in T20 cricket when comparing batters at different positions — a number 3 or 4 batter faces more balls and can average more than a number 6 finisher who is more often not out.

#	Name	Runs	Teams	Average	Matches
1	David Warner — Average 41.99 Sunrisers Hyderabad / Multiple Teams \| 6,397 Runs David Warner holds the best batting average (41.99) among players with 5,000+ IPL runs, making him the most consistently productive high-volume batter in IPL history. His average is driven by a high conversion rate of starts into big scores and a relatively low frequency of low-single-digit dismissals.	6,397	Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals	41.99	184
2	AB de Villiers — Average 39.71 Royal Challengers Bangalore \| Strike Rate 151.68 AB de Villiers averaged 39.71 in the IPL with a strike rate of 151.68 — making him the batter with the best combination of average and strike rate in IPL history. His ability to score quickly without sacrificing consistency was the defining characteristic of his IPL batting.	5,162	Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Daredevils	39.71	—
3	Virat Kohli — Average 39.53 Royal Challengers Bengaluru \| All-Time Runs Leader Virat Kohli averages 39.53 in the IPL — the best among openers with 8,000+ career runs. His extraordinary consistency across 18 seasons means his average has barely fluctuated, reflecting how reliably he converts starts into significant contributions.	8,618	—	39.53	266
4	MS Dhoni — Average 39.27 Chennai Super Kings \| The Greatest Finisher MS Dhoni averages 39.27 in the IPL — exceptional for a player who typically bats at number 6 or 7 and has a large number of not-out innings. His average is boosted by many high-impact not-out scores that ended matches in CSK's favour. If calculated only for completed innings, his average would be even higher.	5,243	—	39.27	274
5	Chris Gayle — Average 40.04 RCB / KKR / Punjab Kings \| Universe Boss Chris Gayle averaged 40.04 in the IPL with a career strike rate of 148.96 — an exceptional combination for an aggressive opening batter. His relatively high average for someone who hit at such a rapid pace reflects both his ability to make big scores and his quality as a batsman beyond just power-hitting.	4,965	KKR, RCB, Punjab Kings	40.04	—
6	KL Rahul — Average 47.8 (Career) / 55.83 (2020 Season) Multiple Teams \| Best Single-Season Average (2020) KL Rahul has a career IPL average of 47.8 — the best among Indian batters with 5,000+ IPL runs. His 2020 IPL season average of 55.83 (670 runs, Orange Cap) remains the best ever by a batter scoring 500+ runs in a single IPL season.	—	RCB, Punjab Kings, Lucknow Super Giants, Delhi Capitals	—	—
7	Phil Salt — Strike Rate 175 (Highest Among Regular Batters) Royal Challengers Bengaluru / KKR \| Highest Strike Rate in IPL Phil Salt holds the highest batting strike rate in IPL history (175) among players with 1,000+ IPL runs, reflecting his extraordinarily aggressive approach at the top of the order. While his average is lower than classical batters, his strike rate makes him one of the most impactful T20 opening batters globally.	1,056+	Royal Challengers Bengaluru, KKR	—	—

This list is compiled from verified public records and reference sources. Last verified: March 23, 2026.

Found an error? Report it here