With the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) just started, the cricket fans all across the world are waiting for their favorite batsmen to go berserk in the pursuit of bagging the orange cap – a reward for the highest run-getter of the tournament. While a cricket match demands equal contribution from both – the batsmen as well as the bowlers, the truth is that spectators go to the stadiums to watch boundaries and sixes. Unlike any other format, scoring a century is not something that happens every day in T-20 cricket. That’s why scoring a fifty in the shortest format of the game is considered a remarkable achievement.
Some players have managed to score even more than 1 century in IPL, but the 50 to 100 ratio is still very disproportionate. Thus, for a batsman to register his name among the top run-getters, it becomes necessary to score the fifties frequently. A half-century can prove match-winning for a side in a T-20 match. Some players manage to score frequent fifties in almost every season of the game and it is their consistency that makes them the favorite of many. Here’s a list of batsmen who have scored most half-centuries in the IPL.
6. Gautam Gambhir: The former India cricketer started his IPL career with Delhi Daredevils, where he used to open alongside Virender Sehwag. However, he was purchased in the auction by Kolkata Knight Riders in 2011, after playing for Delhi for 3 consecutive years. Gambhir captioned KKR for a long time and scored 36 fifties in his 154 matches long IPL career. He went back to Delhi in 2018 and the team got its new name – Delhi Capitals. However, he lost his touch and retired after playing a few matches for Delhi.
5. Virat Kohli: Royal Challengers Bangalore wouldn’t have realized that they have struck gold when they purchased a young Virat Kohli in the 2008 IPL auctions. After a few rusty reasons, Virat got a hold of his form and led his side to many victories. He started captioning the side in 2013 and has scored over 5,000 runs for his team. Virat has scored 36 fifties in 178 matches. He is above Gambhir in the list for the fact that he is still playing the game. Virat has also scored 5 centuries in the IPL, only next to Chris Gayle who has scored 6.
4. Shikhar Dhawan: Above Virat is his Delhi friend and Indian opener, Shikhar Dhawan. He played for Delhi Daredevils and Mumbai Indians before being traded to Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he remained a key player until he was traded to Delhi Capitals in 2018. The southpaw also captioned SRH briefly. Playing as an opener, Dhawan has scored 37 fifties in 160 matches.
3. Rohit Sharma: Briefly ahead of Shikhar Dhawan, is his opening partner from Indian team Rohit Sharma, who is also known as HIT-man Sharma for his capability of hitting gigantic sixes easily. Rohit started his IPL career with Deccan Chargers but his real game came out after he was traded to Mumbai Indians which he captains now. Rohit has also scored 37 fifties in 190 matches that he has played. He is above Dhawan in the list only because he has more IPL runs and an IPL century to his name. Rohit has also scored a century in the IPL
2. Suresh Raina: Despite a couple of ordinary IPL seasons, Raina is well-placed at the second spot due to his consistency in the format. Known as Mr. IPL, Raina started his IPL career with Chennai Super Kings under the captaincy of MS Dhoni. He led his side to many victories with the help of his flamboyant batting. He had the record of playing all matches in the IPL until he missed his first in 2016 due to personal reasons when he was captaining Gujarat Lions due to suspension of CSK for two years. He also had the record of playing all matches for CSK until he missed his first in 2018 due to a calf injury. Raina has scored 38 fifties in 193 matches. He also has one century to his name. Raina has exited this year’s IPL due to personal reasons.
1. David Warner: Sitting right at the top of the list is Australia opener and the current captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad, David Warner. While playing for a team that is known for its bowling, Warner has not only managed to overshadow his counterparts but has also claimed the orange cap many times. The southpaw started his IPL career with Delhi Daredevils ( now Delhi Capitals) in 2009. He was purchased by SRH in 2014 and appointed as a captain. He led his side to title victory in 2016 where SRH defeated the dangerous RCB. Warner has scored 44 half-centuries in 193 matches which is the most by far. He has also scored 4 centuries in the IPL.
