IPL History: Top 3 Australian batsmen to have played in the league

2. Shane Watson

Shane Watson

Despite seeing a blip in form last season, former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson is one of the most consistent performers in the tournament's history. A powerful striker of the ball who can take any bowling attack to the cleaners, Watson played a key role in getting Rajasthan Royals their only IPL title under the able leadership of Shane Warne.

The right-handed batsman mauled the bowlers with disdain as he single-handedly won multiple games for RR. With 543 runs, he emerged as one of the leading run-scorers in the sixth edition of the IPL.

Watto, as he is popularly known, led the charge at Rajasthan Royals for the first eight seasons before travelling down south to Bengaluru in 2016. In 134 IPL matches, the man from Queensland scored 3575 runs at an average of 31.08 and a strike rate of 139.53, with four centuries and 19 fifties.

He was picked up by Chennai Super Kings in 2018, a decision that evoked strong reactions from experts and fans. Watto was far from his peak at that time and with age not being on his side, he added to the ‘’Daddy’s Army’’, as the team was termed.

But the talented all-rounder silenced everyone with a resounding century in the finals against SRH that helped CSK to yet another IPL title. He is clearly among the best players in IPL history, not just from Australia.