5 best New Zealand batsmen in IPL history

#1 Brendon McCullum (Kolkata Knight Riders, Kochi Tuskers, Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Lions)

McCullum's most prolific years in the IPL has been with MS Dhoni-led CSK

One of the greatest ambassadors of the T20 format, Brendon McCullum lit up the IPL in its very first game with his scintillating knock of 158 off just 73 balls for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

Despite retiring from international cricket nearly three years ago, McCullum remains one of the most sought-after players in the T20 format and considering his IPL record and match-winning abilities, it was no surprise that he attracted the highest bid among the Kiwi players at the 2018 IPL auction.

He might be 36, but the former New Zealand skipper is fit and raring to go for yet another IPL season - a journey that has seen him play for the likes of the now-defunct Kochi Tuskers, Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Lions and now RCB apart from KKR for whom he played in the first three seasons of the IPL.

The 2015 season has been his most prolific campaign thus far when he scored 436 runs at a strike rate of above 155 from 14 games, including a century.

He scored 405 runs in the 2014 season and in addition, has scored more than 300 runs in an IPL season thrice, including the previous two campaigns.

Extra Cover: IPL 2018: Royal Challengers Bangalore squad analysis