IPL: A look at highest run-scorers in death overs
The advent of T20 cricket enhanced the role of providing finishing touches with the bat. It became prominent with each passing season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Legend Mahendra Singh Dhoni has emerged as the flag-bearer of finishers in the cash-rich league. His exploits in the death overs remain indispensable. Here are IPL's highest run-scorers in this phase (last four overs).
MS Dhoni: 2,671 runs and 165 sixes
Chennai Super Kings veteran batter Dhoni leads this tally by miles. He remains the only batter with over 2,000 runs (2,671) in the last four overs (16-20) in the IPL. Thala Dhoni strikes at a staggering 187.30 in this phase (165 sixes). Interestingly, 736 of these runs have come in the 20th over, with his strike rate shooting to 241.31.
Kieron Pollard: 1,708 runs and 127 sixes
As of now, former Mumbai Indians player Kieron Pollard is the only batter other than Dhoni with over 1,500 runs in death overs (IPL). Pollard has 1,708 runs off just 941 balls at a strike rate of 181.50 in this regard. His tally includes 127 sixes and 110 fours. Like Dhoni, the Caribbean batter strikes at over 200 in the final over.
Dinesh Karthik: 1,433 runs and 79 sixes
After playing for a host of franchises, Dinesh Karthik has made his name as a potent finisher in T20 cricket. In the past two seasons, Karthik has finished several games for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He has raced to 1,433 runs in the final four overs at a strike rate of 184.19. The tally includes 79 sixes and 134 fours.
AB de Villiers: 1,421 runs and 112 sixes
Throughout his IPL career, RCB's AB de Villiers was at his absolute best while slogging the ball. Even the greatest bowlers couldn't defuse the variations of de Villiers' iconic sweep. Notably, he has the highest strike rate in death overs (232.56) among batters with over 1,000 runs in this regard. De Villiers smacked 1,421 runs off just 611 balls in this phase (112 sixes).
Ravindra Jadeja: 1,351 runs and 63 sixes
Dhoni's teammate Ravindra Jadeja has also lit up the league with his blazing cameos in death overs. Jadeja, who has also represented Rajasthan Royals, owns 1,351 runs in this phase at a strike rate of 158.19. He has hammered 63 sixes and 101 fours in this regard. Despite operating in Dhoni's shadow, the CSK all-rounder struck at over 200 in the 20th over.
