Indian Premier League is one of the most popular sports leagues in the world. Many international cricketers participate in it, and many players have made their careers due to the IPL. IPL is the platform for every budding cricketer- an Indian or a foreigner. The foreign players have made a good impact in this league. The first century in the Indian Premier League history came from a non-Indian cricketer, Brendon McCullum, who struck a mighty unbeaten 158 to help his team win the inaugural IPL match. Since then, many foreign nationals have taken part in the IPL and scored plenty of runs. The list below shows the top ten non-Indian cricketers with the highest runs in the IPL history.
1. David Warner
The former Hyderabad batter has scored the highest runs in the Indian Premier League history. The southpaw represented Delhi Daredevils before playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Warner has made 5449 runs in 150 IPL matches at an average of 41 with a strike rate of 140. The current Aussie batter has hit four centuries and 50 half-centuries in his IPL career with the best score of 126 against Kolkata Knight Riders.
2. AB De Villiers
The South African legend has made 184 appearances in the Indian Premier League. AB scored 5162 runs at an average of 39 and a strike rate of 151 with the help of three centuries and 40 half-centuries. His best IPL performance is 133 runs against Mumbai Indians. De Villiers has played for Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Daredevils in the IPL.
3. Chris Gayle
The Universe Boss has played 142 IPL matches and scored 4965 runs at an average of 39 and a strike rate of 148 with the help of six centuries and 31 fifties. Gayle’s best performance came against Pune Warriors India in IPL 2013, in which he made an unbeaten 175 runs which is the highest individual score in the IPL history. Gayle represented Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.
4. Shane Watson
The legendary cricketer appeared in 145 IPL matches and scored 3874 runs at an average of 30 with a strike rate of 137. The right-hander struck four tons and 21 half-tons in his IPL career with the best score of 117 against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2018 IPL final. Watson played for Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL.
5. Kieron Pollard
The Mumbai Indians all-rounder has appeared in 178 IPL matches and scored 3268 runs at an average of 29 and a strike rate of 149 with the help of 16 half-centuries. Pollard’s best performance is 87 runs against arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2021.
6. Faf Du Plessis
The Chennai Super Kings batter Faf du Plessis has worn the IPL jersey in 100 T20 matches and scored 2935 runs at an average of 34 with a strike rate of 131, and hit 22 half-centuries in his IPL career. Faf’s best IPL performance came against Punjab Kings in IPL 2019, in which he made 96 runs off 55 deliveries. The South African represented Rising Pune Supergiant apart from CSK.
7. Brendon McCullum
The Kiwi keeper-batter scored the first IPL hundred in the league’s inaugural game. McCullum has scored 2880 runs in 109 IPL matches at an average of 27 and a strike rate of 131 with the help of 13 fifties and two centuries. The Kiwi legend’s best performance came against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the first-ever IPL match, in which he remained unbeaten on 158. McCullum represented Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Lions, and Kochi Tuskers Kerela in his IPL career.
8. Steve Smith
The former Aussie skipper has led Rising Pune Supergiant, Pune Warriors India, and Rajasthan Royals in his IPL career. Smith has been a part of 103 IPL matches and scored 2485 runs at an average of 34 with a strike rate of 128 and hit 11 fifties and one hundred in the IPL. Smith’s highest score came against Gujarat Lions in IPL 2016, in which he made 101 runs but ended up on the losing side.
9. Shaun Marsh
Shaun Marsh was the first cricketer to win the orange cap in the IPL. The southpaw scored the highest runs in the inaugural IPL season-616. Marsh has played 71 IPL matches and scored 2477 runs at an average of 39 with a strike rate of 132, along with 20 half-centuries and one century. The left-hander’s best performance came against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2008, in which he scored 115 runs to guide Kings XI Punjab to a victory.
10. Jacques Kallis
The legendary batting all-rounder from South Africa was a part of 98 IPL matches and scored 2427 runs at an average of 28 and a strike rate of 109. Kallis struck 17 half-centuries in his IPL career with the best score of 89 against Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2010. Kallis represented Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL.
