The Indian Premier League (IPL) has established itself as one of the biggest T20 cricket competitions in the world, producing outstanding batting performances since its inaugural season in 2008. Over the years, several international and Indian stars have dominated the tournament with their consistency, power-hitting and ability to perform under pressure.
Virat Kohli leads the all-time IPL run-scoring charts, having accumulated 9,336 runs for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Rohit Sharma occupies second place with 7,329 runs, while former India opener Shikhar Dhawan is third with 6,769 runs.
The list reflects the contribution of batters across different generations of the competition, from the early seasons featuring Chris Gayle, Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni to the modern era led by players such as KL Rahul, Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav.
Most Runs in IPL History – Top 20 Players
The following table highlights the leading run-scorers in IPL history, based on career records through the 2026 season.
Rank | Player | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Virat Kohli | 282 | 9,336 | 40.42 | 134.8 |
2 | Rohit Sharma | 281 | 7,329 | 29.91 | 132.9 |
3 | Shikhar Dhawan | 222 | 6,769 | 35.26 | 127.1 |
4 | David Warner | 184 | 6,565 | 40.52 | 139.8 |
5 | KL Rahul | 160 | 5,815 | 46.15 | 139.1 |
6 | Suresh Raina | 204 | 5,528 | 32.52 | 136.7 |
7 | MS Dhoni | 277 | 5,439 | 38.30 | 137.5 |
8 | Ajinkya Rahane | 212 | 5,367 | 30.15 | 125.6 |
9 | Sanju Samson | 190 | 5,181 | 31.79 | 141.1 |
10 | AB de Villiers | 183 | 5,162 | 39.71 | 151.7 |
11 | Chris Gayle | 141 | 4,965 | 39.72 | 149.0 |
12 | Robin Uthappa | 205 | 4,952 | 27.51 | 130.4 |
13 | Dinesh Karthik | 257 | 4,842 | 26.32 | 135.4 |
14 | Faf du Plessis | 154 | 4,773 | 35.10 | 135.8 |
15 | Jos Buttler | 138 | 4,646 | 39.71 | 149.7 |
16 | Shubman Gill | 134 | 4,598 | 40.33 | 142.1 |
17 | Suryakumar Yadav | 179 | 4,581 | 33.68 | 148.6 |
18 | Ambati Rayudu | 204 | 4,348 | 28.23 | 127.5 |
19 | Shreyas Iyer | 147 | 4,229 | 35.84 | 136.7 |
20 | Gautam Gambhir | 154 | 4,217 | 31.01 | 123.9 |
1. Virat Kohli – The Leading Run-Scorer in IPL History
Virat Kohli has established himself as the most prolific batter in IPL history. Representing Royal Challengers Bengaluru throughout his IPL career, the right-handed batter has scored 9,336 runs in 282 matches.
His consistency across multiple seasons has been central to his position at the top of the rankings. Kohli combines technical control with the ability to accelerate when required, making him one of the most dependable batters in the competition.
His remarkable 2016 campaign, when he scored 973 runs in a single season, remains one of the greatest individual batting achievements in IPL history.
2. Rohit Sharma – Mumbai Indians' Run-Scoring Leader
Rohit Sharma occupies second place on the all-time IPL run-scoring list with 7,329 runs. He has represented multiple franchises, including Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians.
Known for his timing, range of strokes and ability to build innings, Rohit has remained an important contributor throughout his IPL career. His leadership also helped Mumbai Indians establish themselves as one of the most successful franchises in the tournament.
3. Shikhar Dhawan – A Consistent Opening Batter
Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan sits third with 6,769 runs. Across his IPL career, he represented several franchises, including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Punjab.
Dhawan was known for his consistency at the top of the order, particularly his ability to provide solid starts and build partnerships. His two IPL centuries and numerous half-centuries underline his contribution to the competition.
4. David Warner – One of the Most Successful Overseas Batters
Australian opener David Warner is fourth with 6,565 runs. His aggressive approach and consistency made him one of the most successful overseas players in IPL history.
Warner enjoyed particularly successful campaigns with Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he played a major role in the franchise's batting success and its 2016 championship-winning campaign.
5. KL Rahul – A Remarkable Run-Scoring Record
KL Rahul completes the top five with 5,815 runs. His impressive average of 46.15 among the leading run-scorers highlights his ability to combine consistency with attacking stroke play.
Rahul has represented multiple franchises and has regularly contributed at the top of the batting order. His highest IPL score of 152 underlines his ability to produce substantial innings.
Other Notable IPL Run-Scorers
Several other players have made lasting contributions to the tournament.
Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni remain two of the most recognisable names in IPL history, particularly for their contributions to Chennai Super Kings. Raina was one of the competition's early batting stars, while Dhoni has built a reputation for finishing innings and delivering under pressure.
AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle brought extraordinary power-hitting ability to the tournament. De Villiers was known for his innovative shot-making, while Gayle's explosive batting produced some of the IPL's most memorable performances.
Among the newer generation, Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav have established themselves among the leading run-scorers through their consistency and attacking approach.
Why the IPL All-Time Run-Scoring Record Matters
Accumulating runs in the IPL requires more than individual talent. Batters must adapt to different venues, bowling attacks, match situations and team responsibilities.
Some players build innings through consistency, while others make their impact through aggressive power-hitting. The all-time rankings recognise both approaches and reward players who maintain their performance across multiple seasons.
With every new IPL campaign, the rankings can change as active players add to their career totals. Kohli's position at the top, however, reflects an exceptional level of consistency across the tournament's history.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who has scored the most runs in IPL history?
Virat Kohli holds the record for the most runs in IPL history, with 9,336 runs for Royal Challengers Bengaluru through the 2026 season.
2. Who is second on the list of most IPL runs?
Rohit Sharma is second with 7,329 runs in the Indian Premier League.
3. Who is the third-highest run-scorer in IPL history?
Shikhar Dhawan occupies third place with 6,769 runs.
4. Which overseas player has scored the most runs in IPL history?
David Warner is the leading overseas run-scorer in the list, with 6,565 runs.
5. How many IPL runs has MS Dhoni scored?
MS Dhoni has scored 5,439 runs in the IPL, placing him seventh on the all-time list.
6. Who has the highest batting average among the top five IPL run-scorers?
KL Rahul has the highest batting average among the top five players, with an average of 46.15.
7. Who scored the most runs in a single IPL season?
Virat Kohli holds the record with 973 runs for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 2016 IPL season.
8. Who has scored the most sixes in IPL history?
Chris Gayle holds the record for the most sixes in IPL history, with 357 sixes in the career statistics used for this article.
9. When did the IPL begin?
The inaugural IPL season began in 2008, with Rajasthan Royals winning the first edition.
10. Do IPL career run totals include performances for different franchises?
Yes. A player's career total combines runs scored for every franchise they have represented in the IPL.
