Ranking the top 10 greatest Indian IPL players of all time ft. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma

Since its start in 2008, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a platform where the finest skills of players from across the cricketing world have been on display. For years, top Indian cricketers have competed in the league, consistently delivering impressive performances.

While foreign players have always drawn considerable attention in the IPL, the tournament has also served as a powerful stage for Indian players to demonstrate their talent in the T20 format. Notable Indian icons, like Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni, hold records as two of the most successful captains in IPL history as well.

Several players have proved their worth in the league and gone on to do well for the Indian national cricket team. As the name of the league suggests, Indian players have been top performers over the years, ensuring that the IPL always remains a high-quality tournament.

Having said that, let us rank the 10 greatest Indian IPL players of all time featuring some of the biggest names in Indian cricket.

Ranking the top 10 greatest Indian IPL players of all time

#10 Ambati Rayudu

Ambati Rayudu has enjoyed success both with the Mumbai Indians (MI) and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL. He has won three trophies with both franchises.

Known for his versatility and match-winning knocks, Rayudu scored 3916 runs from 175 matches, including a century and 21 half-centuries. He established himself as one of the most reliable batters in the league and his contributions to the success of Mumbai and Chennai make him a player with remarkable presence.

#9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Once known for great consistency, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been a major asset to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. He won the Purple Cap award twice in consecutive seasons (2016 and 2017), also playing an important role in Hyderabad's title-winning run in 2016.

With 181 wickets from 176 games, Bhuvneshwar is also among the league's all-time top bowlers and wicket-takers. He has, more often than not, troubled batters both in the powerplay and at the death.

#8 Piyush Chawla

Veteran leg-spinner Piyush Chawla has been one of the most successful spinners in the IPL. His major contributions in the league have come for the Kolkata Knight Riders, where he also scored the winning runs and played a crucial knock in their triumph during the 2014 final.

Having represented top franchises such as the Chennai Super Kings and the Mumbai Indians as well, Chawla ranks among the top wicket-takers in the history of the league with 192 scalps, establishing himself as a seasoned campaigner.

#7 Shikhar Dhawan

Among India's veteran openers, Shikhar Dhawan has played key roles for franchises such as Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals, and Punjab Kings. With 6769 runs from 222 matches, Dhawan ranks among the highest run-scorers in IPL history as well.

He has scored a couple of centuries, undertaken captaincy roles, and has also been a consistent run-getter throughout his career in the cash-rich league.

#6 Yuzvendra Chahal

Another talented and clever leg-spinner, Yuzvendra Chahal holds the record as the high-wicket taker in IPL history with 205 scalps in 160 matches. Moreover, he is the only bowler in the league's history to cross the 200-wicket mark.

He has been a top performer for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) over the years. Chahal, consistently among the wickets, continues to be a key figure in the league. He has also won the Purple Cap award in 2022.

#5 Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma's legacy as one of the most successful captains in the IPL places him among the greats. Leading Mumbai Indians to five titles, he has proven himself as a successful leader in the toughest T20 league.

With the bat as well, Rohit has amassed 6628 runs from 252 innings, including 43 fifties and two centuries as well. He is the third-highest run-scorer in the history of the league.

#4 Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah has built his reputation as one of the most feared bowlers not just in the IPL, but across the globe in international cricket as well. Known for his precise yorkers and consistency, Bumrah has taken 165 wickets in 133 matches.

Over the years, he has developed as the leader of Mumbai Indians' pace attack, delivering more often than not. He has played a vital role in their successful campaigns and has been among the wickets even when the team has failed to well overall.

#3 Suresh Raina

Known as 'Mr. IPL', Suresh Raina's consistent performances during his time with the Chennai Super Kings make him one of the most cherished players in the league. He has won four IPL titles with CSK and was the highest run-getter in the league for a long time until Virat Kohli and others overtook him.

Raina has played 205 games, scoring 5528 runs which also included 39 half-centuries and a century. His reliability, big-match performances, and capability to win games single-handedly make him an IPL great.

#2 MS Dhoni

With five IPL trophies as captain of CSK, MS Dhoni's impact on the league is second to none. Known for his sharp cricketing mind, he led CSK to immense success with 133 wins from 226 games as captain.

While his presence on the field and behind the stumps remains unmatched, he has also been a nightmare for bowlers, especially at the death. Dhoni has scored 5243 runs, including 24 half-centuries, and has smashed 252 sixes as well.

#1 Virat Kohli

As the all-time leading run-scorer in IPL history, Virat Kohli's impact on the league is also unmatched. The former RCB skipper has accumulated 8,004 runs in 252 matches and is the only player to have crossed the 8000-run mark in the league so far.

He has an incredible record with 55 half-centuries and eight hundreds (the most by any player in IPL). He also won the Orange Cap in 2016 where he had a dream season, smashing 973 runs with four hundreds as RCB fell short in the final. Kohli won the Orange Cap again in the 2024 season.

Despite not having won the title yet, his dedication and consistent performances make him a top icon in the league.