5 most valuable players (MVPs) in IPL this decade

Indian Premier League (IPL) has come a long way since its inception in 2008. The league which was viewed as a medium to nourish youngsters and provide them with the platform to showcase their talent has done wonders in shaping careers of numerous players in the past.

With another edition of IPL scheduled for 2020, the popularity of this cash-rich league has grown by leaps and bounds, especially in the decade gone by. As much as the administrators are credited for the success of this league, the players would have played an equally important role in setting the standards high with their continued performances every year. With the enthralling display of cricketing action on the field, IPL has produced some unreal stuff, engrossing more fans to take interest in the game.

Some of the players have been at the heart of the things in the IPL in the last ten years. With some consistent show in each of the last ten years, they have rightfully earned an honour to be known as one of the most valuable players in IPL this decade.

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Here's look at 5 most valuable players (MVPs) in IPL this decade:

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#5 Sunil Narine

Narine has been a consistent performer for KKR over the last seven years

The 31-year old off-spinner from Trinidad, Sunil Narine rose to fame after he was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2012. He was a vital cog for the Gambhir-led side who went onto to win their maiden title in 2012. Narine was at the heart of success for KKR as he was named the Most valuable player in his debut season.

Till date, Narine is the second leading wicket-taker for Kolkata with 122 scalps in 110 games. He has proved his effectiveness not only with the ball but also with the bat as a slogger while opening the innings. Narine scored the fastest fifty of the season in IPL 2017 which still happens to be the third fastest in the IPL history.

For his spectacular efforts in IPL 2018, Sunil was awarded the award for the Most valuable player for a second time, becoming only the second player to achieve this recognition twice.

#4 Suresh Raina

Raina is a clean striker of the ball

Suresh Raina has been synonymous for consistency in IPL history. Being the backbone for CSK at No.3 for so many years, Raina has always played the dual role of anchoring the innings, as well as in striking the ball from the word go. He is the second-highest run-getter in IPL after Virat Kohli. With a tally of 4513 runs this decade, the southpaw has proved his brilliance year after year.

He is one of the rare batsmen who has scored 350+ runs every season in this decade. He has fittingly earned the right to be called Mr. IPL with his major contributions in making IPL a global success.

In all these years, Raina has played a major role in guiding CSK to three IPL titles in 2010, 2011 and 2018. He even captained Gujarat Lions for two years in 2016 and 2017, helping the team to top the table in IPL 2016. Without a doubt, Raina ranks among one of the best players to have ever featured in the IPL.

#3 David Warner

Warner won Orange Cap thrice in 2014, 2017 and 2019

David Warner, who began his IPL career with Delhi Capitals (then Delhi Daredevils) didn't get adequate opportunities to showcase his talent during his first few years in the IPL. Even he failed to capitalize on his chances until he was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2014 as one of their key recruits for the season.

The Australian top-order batsman set the IPL on fire by emerging as the highest run-getter in the season, however, SRH narrowly missed out on qualifying for the last four. In the subsequent seasons, he developed as a player and was a vital cog for the Orange Army. He was named the skipper in IPL 2015 and led the team to their maiden IPL win in 2016 doing the bulk of scoring with 848 runs in the entire season.

His association with SRH has been quite fruitful as the aggressive opener has bagged three Orange Caps - most for any player in IPL history. Warner boasts of most runs by any overseas player in IPL, scoring 4543 of those in this decade. He also holds the record for the highest individual score by any captain in the league, scoring 126 vs KKR in IPL 2017.

#2 Virat Kohli

Kohli was the Orange cap holder in 2016

The most popular face in Indian cricket in the past few years, Virat Kohli faced tough times during the early half of his career in the IPL. Despite being a regular feature for RCB in almost all games in the early 2010s, Kohli was never the most talked-about cricketer due to his inconsistent performance with the bat. It was in 2011 when he overcome his past failures and emerged as the key contributor in his team's success.

His tally of 557 runs helped RCB reach the finals before bowing out against a dominant CSK outfit. However, ever since the fourth edition, the Indian skipper hasn't looked back. Virat has continued to get better with every season, so much so that he was the Orange Cap holder in IPL 2016, scoring 973 runs in the edition with four centuries to his name.

Today, he stands as the highest run-scorer in IPL history. Since 2010, the 31-year old has scored 5001 runs including 35 fifties. It is no doubt that Kohli is one of the most valuable players in IPL history. He may not have won the IPL trophy so far, but his stats are enough to justify the enormity of his contribution in the success of IPL over the years.

#1 Rohit Sharma

Rohit has created an impact with his captaincy

Profoundly known as the Hitman in Indian cricket, Rohit Sharma owes a lot of his success to the IPL. After playing for the now-defunct Deccan Chargers in first few seasons of the IPL, Sharma shifted his base to MI in IPL 2011. However, his fortunes began to change in 2013 when he was offered the captaincy midway through the tournament. His leadership qualities were so spectacular that he guided Mumbai Indians to their first-ever IPL title that year.

The franchise has performed successfully ever since, with four title wins in last seven years in the IPL. Rohit has been the flag-bearer for the team and is now the most successful skipper in IPL history. He has always led from the front with his attacking instincts and the ability to decimate bowling attacks at will.

Since 2010, Rohit has scored 4132 runs with 31 fifties and two centuries, including a highest of 109 against KKR in IPL 2012. He is also ranked third in the list for most runs scored in IPL. His numbers might not be as exemplary but his impact and the contribution in this league goes beyond numbers.