The Indian Premier League (IPL 2019) has seen some of the most destructive batsmen in the world. These batters have the ability to hit the ground running from the get-go and they can demolish any bowler on their given day. In fact, we have seen many instances in the Indian Premier League where a cameo from a destructive batsman has been the difference between winning and losing.
The 20-overs doesn’t give the liberty for the batsman to get their eye in. Consequently, it is pivotal that the batsman is able to get going from the word go. We have seen in the history of the IPL that the batsman who can get runs in a jiffy helps his respective team in winning more matches.
Here are the top five most destructive IPL players:
Chris Gayle
The Oxford dictionary can include Chris Gayle as a synonym for ‘Destructive‘. Gayle is not only the most destructive batsman in the IPL but also in the world. Furthermore, the Universe Boss is in fine form in the recent past. Gayle had scored 424 runs in the four innings against England with the help of two hundred. The combative southpaw opener has always believed in hitting more boundaries than running singles.
Gayle has scored his runs with an impressive strike rate of 150.72. He has scored 3994 runs in the IPL.
Here are Gayle’s IPL stats which proves why is the most destructive batsman.
| IPL Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
| 112 | 3994 | 41.18 | 150.72 |
AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers has the skills to demolish the best in the business. The talisman batsman can turn the course of the match in a jiffy with his pyrotechnics. The Proteas batsman has played some of the best innings in the Indian Premier League and he can make the best bowlers look like fools on his day.
de Villiers has a staggering strike rate of 150.94 in the IPL as he can hit the straps from the outset. The linchpin right-hander can play all around the ground and that is why he is named as a 360-degree batsman. Thus, AB makes the bowler’s job more complicated as he can hit everywhere in the stadium.
| IPL Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
| 141 | 3953 | 39.53 | 150.94 |
David Warner
Australia’s David Warner has savoured great success while playing in the Indian Premier League while playing for the Sunriser Hyderabad. The southpaw batsman has done a great job for the Orange Army. The combative left-hander was the second highest run-getter in the IPL 2016 and he was instrumental in the success of the team.
Warner has done a great job in the IPL and he would like to roar back into form for the Hyderabad when he will return after a year gap. The left-hander has performed consistently in the IPL and he would like to repeat his performances in the T20 league.
| IPL Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
| 114 | 4014 | 40.55 | 142.14 |
Jos Buttler
Jos Buttler was instrumental in taking Rajasthan Royals to the playoff stages as he had scored five consecutive fifties in the previous season. Buttler has been in fine form for the England team and he has done a great job in the recent past. The talisman right-hander is well known for his aggressive batting display and he can be a nightmare for the bowlers.
The England batsman will like to be at the top of his game in the IPL 2019. The right-hander is well known for his pyrotechnics and he would be a batsman to look out for. Buttler has a staggering strike rate of 150.56 in IPL.
| IPL Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
| 37 | 1075 | 34.68 | 150.56 |
Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma has a great skill of timing under his belt. Sharma’s batting often looks effortless and he can race to a good score even without breaking a sweat. The right-hander was in fine form in 2018 where he got runs all around the globe. Furthermore, the flamboyant has led the Mumbai Indians with aplomb as he has taken them to three titles.
The stylish batsman will like to bring his best to the table. Furthermore, Rohit Sharma is one of the leading run-getters in the IPL.
| IPL Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
| 173 | 4493 | 31.83 | 131.03 |