Indian Premier League: Overseas batters with most runs as openers
T20 stalwart Jos Buttler has joined a unique list of batters in the Indian Premier League. Buttler, who scored 21 against Chennai Super Kings in Match 61 of the IPL 2024 season on Sunday, breached the 3,000-run mark as an opener. The Rajasthan Royals ace became just the 10th player and fifth among foreigners to score 3,000-plus runs in the IPL. Here's more.
Jos Buttler gets past 3,000 runs
Buttler scored a 25-ball 21 at Chepauk. As per ESPNcricinfo, the celebrated IPL figure has raced to 3,003 runs from 78 matches as an opener at 41.70 (SR: 149.62). All of his seven IPL tons have come while opening the innings. The former Mumbai Indians players also has 18 fifties. During the match, Buttler surpassed 11,500 T20 runs. He has scored 3,582 IPL runs.
Quinton de Kock - 3,145 runs
Lucknow Super Giants batter Quinton de Kock owns 3,145 runs from 106 innings as an opener in the IPL. He averages 31.45 and his strike rate reads 134.17. The southpaw has struck two tons and 23 fifties. All of his IPL runs have come while opening. De Kock represented Delhi Capitals Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the past.
Faf du Plessis - 3,725 runs
RCB skipper Faf du Plessis has amassed 3,725 runs as an opener in the IPL. He averages 37.62 from 107 innings and his strike rate reads 138.52. He has clobbered 32 fifties and is closing in on 150 sixes (147). The former CSK and RPS player is closing in on 4,500 IPL runs (4,494). He averages 36.24 with the help of 36 fifties.
Chris Gayle - 4,480 runs
Chris Gayle finished his IPL career with 4,480 runs as an opener. He attained the runs from 122 innings at 41.86. His strike rate was 151.40. All six of his IPL tons came while opening. He also hit 28 fifties. Notably, 326 of Gayle's 357 record IPL sixes came as an opener. Overall, the Universe Boss managed 4,965 runs from 141 innings at 39.72.
David Warner - 5,909 runs
David Warner has the most opening runs as an overseas player. The Australian southpaw has clobbered 5,909 runs from 162 matches at 40.19 (SR: 140.85). The former SRH skipper has four tons and 56 fifties as an opening batter. Warner owns 210 sixes and 600-plus fours. Overall, the Delhi Capitals batter has scored 6,564 runs from 183 matches at 40.77.
