IPL: Top 5 batsmen with highest strike rates in history of the tournament

The 11th edition of the Indian Premier League is all set to begin in the month of April. IPL is regarded as the most entertaining event of Indian summer. Not only for the spectators, it is equally refreshing for the players as well. Players from around the world have been a part of this carnival and have played numerous memorable innings. They have given several reasons for the fans to cheer about.

Since the inception of IPL, many impressive records have been set by players. Many players, who did the talking with their bats, thrilled us with their outstanding sixes and fours. The game has now become all about strike rates as the batsmen do not have much time to get their eyes in. It is of no sense if the player scores a half-century off 45 odd deliveries.

Here's a look at 5 batsmen with the highest strike rates in the IPL history with a minimum of 500 IPL runs:

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#1 Andre Russell

Andre Russell, the Caribbean cricketer, is a brutal hitter who literally dismisses the ball from its presence. He made his IPL debut playing for the Delhi Daredevils in 2012, but he earned his recognition after he played some destructive innings for the Kolkata Knight Riders. Due to such an impact, he was retained by the KKR franchise.

Russell has a ridiculous strike rate of 173.41 in his IPL career and has hit 37 huge sixes.

In his initial career, Russell played for the Delhi franchise. But he was constantly in the midst of injuries. He failed to prove his dominance for the DD. But after he was purchased by the KKR, he has become a mainstay in their batting line-up.

On several occasions, the then KKR captain, Gautam Gambhir has promoted him up the order to accelerate the team's run rate. His ability to clear the fence very easily has made him a fearful cricketer.

He has only 3 half-centuries to his name but he has played numerous cameos to take his team to victory.

#2 Glenn Maxwell

The mighty Aussie entertainer, Glenn Maxwell made his first IPL appearance in 2012 playing for the Delhi Daredevils. With his unique batting style, Maxwell has managed to score runs at a strike rate of 164.39.

In his first season, Maxwell, unfortunately, got to play only 2 matches and scored 6 runs. The very next year he was picked up by Mumbai Indians where he played only 3 matches.

But in the 2014 IPL auction, Kings XI Punjab opted to get hold of the hard-hitting Australian. The signing proved to be a great success for the side as Maxwell struck 552 runs in 16 matches with a strike rate of 187.75. He had almost guided the team to their maiden title that year.

This year, Maxwell is all set to return to the Daredevils fold. Fans can expect him to score big this IPL and take the Delhi to their first IPL title victory.

#3 Virender Sehwag

Sehwag had been one of the most feared batsmen not only during the IPL but at the international platform as well. In his IPL career, Sehwag played 104 matches in his IPL career in which he accumulated 2728 runs at a strike rate of 155.44.

Viru loved his stint at the IPL and used to play freely without much pressure as he did on the international platform. His performances are still remembered even after his retirement. He brutally exploited the bowlers and left them helpless on numerous occasions.

He has always been a sheer entertainer, and during the IPL as well he did the same. In his IPL career, Sehwag had hit 106 sixes and 334 boundaries.

Viru last played for the Kings XI Punjab in 2015 before he announced his retirement. At present, he is the coach of the same team.

#4 Chris Gayle

No other batsman can hit the cricket ball as long as Chris Gayle hits when he is on a song. Everyone on the ground including the spectators are in danger when this Caribbean batsman is in form.

Gayle has a career strike rate of 151.20 in the IPL. He has hit 265 sixes in just 101 IPL matches. That shows how frequently he can hit the ball out of the park.

Gayle made his IPL debut way back in the very first season in 2008. But during the early IPL years, he failed to make his mark. But it was during 2011 IPL that he got the recognition he deserved. He scored 2 centuries in that season and managed to score 608 runs at a strike rate of 183.13.

This was followed by even more exceptional performances in 2012 IPL where he fired 733 runs for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. But his next seasons were a mix of few good innings and several failures.

Even after his consistent failures, he remains one of the brutal hitters going around in T20 cricket. This year, Gayle will be opening the batting for the Kings XI Punjab

#5 Rishabh Pant

A young emerging Indian batsman, Rishabh Pant was one of the three players retained by DD ahead of the 2018 auction. In the 2017-18 season, he scored the fastest T20 century by an Indian. That has helped his career strike rate in the IPL to go up to 151.20.

His 32-ball ton for Delhi takes him to the second position in the list of the fastest T20 century behind Chris Gayle who has achieved the feat in 30 balls. In the 2017 IPL season, he scored 366 runs for the DD and had hit 24 sixes in the tournament.

The 2017-18 Ranji season didn’t bring many runs for Pant. However, he led Delhi to the final in the 2017-18 season.

He was also a part of the squad that was picked for the Nidahas Trophy. Pant hasn't had the best of knocks in the international cricket yet, but the coming IPL season will be a crucial one for him.