5 IPL Records Held By Underrated Indian Players

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the world’s most profitable and respected T20 league. Most importantly, the league provides a platform for young and talented Indian cricketers to compete against the best in the world.

Several players have been selected for the Indian squad based on their performances in the IPL. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya are two prominent examples of such players who have achieved international success. On the other hand, there are players like Swapnil Asnodkar and Paul Valthaty who had tremendous seasons in the league but were unable to repeat it in later seasons.

The IPL has witnessed several notable great performances by relatively unknown Indian players who have lighted up the league. Manish Pandey, a relative unknown at the time, hit the league’s first century by an Indian. Manvinder Bisla scored a ferocious 89 in the 2012 IPL final to help KKR win the title.

Let’s take a look at some IPL records held by Indian players who aren’t popular names, particularly in the T20 format.

# 1: Highest career batting average: Iqbal Abdulla

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Iqbal Abdulla has the highest career batting average in the IPL among Indian players who have played at least ten innings. In the IPL, the Mumbai left-arm spinner averaged 44.00 with the bat. MS Dhoni finishes in second, with a score of 42.20. Jonny Bairstow has the highest overall average (55.62) in the IPL.

Abdulla received the IPL’s “Rising Star of the Year” title in 2011, however it was for his bowling rather than his hitting. That season, he took 16 wickets at an average of 19.06 and an economy rate of only 6.1.

Abdulla has played for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Rajasthan Royals (RR), and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL (RCB). He has only batted 13 times in the IPL, going undefeated in 11 of those innings. Abdulla averages 44.00 in his IPL career, with a run aggregate of 88 runs and a maximum score of 33*.

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# 2: Highest strike rate in an IPL innings: Balachandra Akhil 

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Balachandra Akhil has the greatest strike rate among Indian players who have scored at least 25 runs in an IPL game. In his 27* innings for RCB against the Deccan Chargers, the Karnataka all-rounder had a strike rate of 385.71. Virat Kohli follows with a strike rate of 357.14. Chris Morris holds the record for the highest strike rate in an IPL innings, scoring 38* in 9 deliveries with a strike rate of 422.22.

Akhil’s match-winning strike came during the IPL’s maiden season in 2008. As Akhil came into bat after Kohli’s wicket fell, RCB needed 25 runs off 16 deliveries to win. With a performance that included three sixes and three fours, the kid hammered an undefeated 27 off only seven deliveries.

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# 3: Most sixes in an IPL innings: Murali Vijay

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Murali Vijay is the Indian player with the most sixes in an IPL innings. Vijay hit 11 sixes in his 127-run effort for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) against Rajasthan Royals (RR). For the record, Chris Gayle hit the most sixes (17) in an IPL innings during his 175* effort for RCB against Pune Warriors.

In the lengthier form of the game, Vijay has been a fairly effective opening batsman for India. Nevertheless, in the few opportunities he has had for India in the limited-overs format, he has not lit the world on fire. He played in only 9 T20Is for India, scoring 169 runs at an average of 18.77 and a strike rate of 109.74.

Vijay’s six-hitting streak occurred during the 2010 IPL season at Chepauk, CSK’s home field. He hammered 127 runs off 56 deliveries, including 11 sixes and eight fours. The knock enabled CSK reach 246/5 in their allocated 20 overs, ultimately winning by 23 runs.

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# 4: Best career bowling average: Shreyas Gopal

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Shreyas Gopal holds the Indian record for the highest career bowling average among IPL bowlers who have bowled at least 250 deliveries. Gopal has a lifetime bowling average of 19.39 and is the only Indian among the top ten bowlers in the IPL. Kagiso Rabada now holds the greatest lifetime bowling average in IPL history, with a mark of 17.93.

Gopal, who had a productive 2019 season for RR, is still seeking for his international breakthrough. Karnataka’s 2019-20 domestic season has pushed him back in the race for an India cap.

Apart from RR, Gopal has also played for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL. In 31 IPL appearances, the Karnataka leg-spinner has taken 38 wickets at an average of 19.39, an economy of 7.5, and a strike rate of 15.5. He will be trying to continue in the same spirit in the 2019 IPL to reclaim a berth in the Indian team.

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# 5: Best career bowling strike rate: Ashish Reddy

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Ashish Reddy holds the Indian record for the highest career bowling strike rate among IPL bowlers who have bowled at least 250 deliveries. In the tournament, he has a lifetime strike rate of 14.5, second only to Rabada, who has a career strike rate of 13.2.

Reddy, who has never played for India, has played for the Deccan Chargers and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL. In 31 IPL appearances, the Hyderabad all-rounder has taken 18 wickets at an average of 22.00, an economy rate of 9.06, and a strike rate of only 14.5.

Also Read: RCB’s 5 biggest defeats by runs in the IPL (cricfiles.com)