Decoding the lesser-known IPL records of Shikhar Dhawan
Punjab Kings skipper Shikhar Dhawan has been away from action lately in the ongoing 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) due to fitness issues. The Mohali-based team would want the veteran to return sooner than later as he is the second-highest run-getter in IPL history. Moreover, he is among the most consistent batters in the tournament's history. Here we decode his unique IPL records.
Most runs as an opener
Dhawan holds the record of scoring the most runs as a designated opener in IPL. He owns 6,362 runs across 202 innings in this regard as no other batter has 6,000-plus IPL runs while opening the innings. The southpaw averages 35.54 while batting at the top (SR: 128.11). He has 47 fifties besides a couple of tons.
One of the two batters with this record
Dhawan happens to be one of the only two batters with 2,000-plus IPL runs for multiple franchises. While he scored 2,518 runs for Sunrisers Hyderabad at 34.49, the southpaw tallied 2,066 runs for Delhi Capitals at 38.98. David Warner is the only other batter with this feat as he owns 2,550 and 4,014 runs for DC and SRH, respectively.
First batter with this feat
In 2020, Dhawan became the first batter to slam two consecutive centuries in IPL. Paying for DC, he made an unbeaten 58-ball 101 against Chennai Super Kings and followed it up with a career-best 61-ball 106* against Punjab Kings. Dhawan was later joined by Jos Buttler, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill in this unique list.
Most runs versus CSK
CSK are among the most successful IPL teams as scoring against them has been difficult for several batters. However, Dhawan has aced this challenge as he is the highest run-getter against the five-time champions with 1,057 runs across 29 matches at 44.04. The tally includes eight fifties besides a ton. Kohli (1,006) is the only other batter with 900-plus runs versus CSK.
