Virat Kohli:
Dhoni’s immediate successor as the captain in the Indian team – Virat Kohli – currently rules the IPL roster. Many would argue, but Virat Kohli, India’s captain in all format, certainly fits as one of the most influential players to have ever played in the IPL. He entered the IPL as a teenager touted as the next big thing of Indian cricket and was roped in by Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Kohli flourished in no time and with the help of the ‘Bradmanesque’ run in the 216 season, where he score over 1000 runs in a season, ended up becoming the top run-getter in the history of the league. At present, his numbers read 4110 runs in 139 matches with 4 centuries and 26 fifties. Better than anyone who has played in the IPL.