Over the years, the IPL has seen a gradual tactical shift in the roles defined to the top-order batsmen. The openers were so often the men who took on the bowling in the early going, but their role in recent times has predominantly been to provide a stable platform and ensure the team gets off to a solid start. Unsurprisingly, each of the five batsmen who feature in SPORTZWIKI’s Top 5 batsmen with Most fifties in IPL history are opening batsmen, who tend to get the maximum opportunity to build an innings and dictate the run-scoring.
5. Shaun Marsh
With 17 fifties to his name, Kings XI Punjab opening batsman Shaun Marsh in fifth in SPORTZWIKI’s Top 5 batsmen with Most fifties in IPL history countdown. The Australian opener was a revelation of sorts in the inaugral edition of the IPL when he smashed over 600 runs to help the Kings XI reach the semifinals, the only occasion Preity Zinta’s side have been in contention come the business end of the tournament. Marsh’s 17 fifties in 50 IPL matches at an average of 44.25 makes him undoubtedly the most consistent batsman in IPL history.
4. Suresh Raina
Suresh Raina has been everpresent for the Chennai Super Kings, lending that much needed balance and consistency to the CSK top order. Raina has scored 3035 runs in 109 IPL matches and his 20 fifties at an average of 34.10 and a strike rate of an impressive 140.63 make him a vital cog in the CSK setup. Suresh Raina is 4th in SPORTZWIKI’s Top 5 batsmen with Most fifties in IPL history.
3. Chris Gayle
Chris Gayle had a couple of turbulent seasons in KKR colors in the first two seasons, but his form for Royal Challengers Bangalore has tranformed Vijay Mallya’s strugglers into genuine IPL winning material. Gayle has notched up 20 fifties in 65 knocks, and his strike rate of 157.91 and average of 48.92 stand out among all the batsmen in the IPL. Gayle’s stand and deliver approach ensure a keen contest with any bowler and provide for some breathless entertainment. The Jamaican is 3rd in SPORTZWIKI’s Top 5 batsmen with Most fifties in IPL history.
2. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma was very much a settled T20 performer for India when he was purchased by the Deccan Chargers way back in 2008, but the man from Mumbai has been at his very best in the blue of Mumbai Indians. 22 fifties in 107 matches is a testament to Rohit’s temperament and ability as a top-class performer in the shortest format. And the Mumbai Indians skipper is incidently the second highest run scorer in the IPL behind Suresh Raina.
1. Gautam Gambhir
The KKR skipper may have failed to find his rhythm early on in the tournament, but the turnaround in the KKR’s fortunes can be very well attributed to Gambhir‘s consistency in the T20 format. Gambhir has 23 fifties in just 98 matches in the IPL and also holds the record for the most number of 30’s, so while the Knight Rider may not be scoring at the express pace of a Chris Gayle or Suresh Raina, his consistency across the seven seasons of the IPL remains unmatched.