The Indian Premier League (IPL) began in 2008 and has completed 17 editions to date, establishing itself as the world’s premier T20 franchise league.
Over nearly two decades, the tournament has witnessed extraordinary batting performances across different venues and conditions. Among all batters, Virat Kohli stands out as the highest run-scorer with 8661 runs in IPL history between 2008 and 2025.
He is followed by his Mumbai Indians counterpart Rohit Sharma with 7046 runs in 272 matches. Among the top 10, only Rohit Sharma has won the IPL trophy multiple times as captain. Read on to explore the complete list of the top 10 run-scorers and their IPL records
Top 10 Players With Most Runs In The IPL
Here is the list of the top 10 players with the most runs in IPL history.
| Rank | Player | Team | Runs | Matches | Innings | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virat Kohli | RCB | 8661 | 267 | 259 | 113 | 39.55 | 132.86 | 8 | 63 | 771 | 291 |
| 2 | Rohit Sharma | MI | 7046 | 272 | 267 | 109* | 29.73 | 132.10 | 2 | 47 | 640 | 302 |
| 3 | Shikhar Dhawan | PBKS | 6769 | 222 | 221 | 106* | 35.26 | 127.14 | 2 | 51 | 768 | 152 |
| 4 | David Warner | DC | 6565 | 184 | 184 | 126 | 40.52 | 139.77 | 4 | 61 | 663 | 236 |
| 5 | Suresh Raina | CSK | 5528 | 205 | 200 | 100* | 32.52 | 136.76 | 1 | 39 | 506 | 203 |
| 6 | MS Dhoni | CSK | 5439 | 278 | 242 | 84* | 38.30 | 137.45 | 0 | 24 | 375 | 264 |
| 7 | KL Rahul | DC | 5222 | 145 | 136 | 132* | 46.21 | 136.03 | 5 | 40 | 452 | 208 |
| 8 | AB de Villiers | RCB | 5162 | 184 | 170 | 133* | 39.70 | 151.68 | 3 | 40 | 413 | 251 |
| 9 | Ajinkya Rahane | KKR | 5032 | 198 | 183 | 105* | 30.50 | 125.02 | 2 | 33 | 514 | 123 |
| 10 | Chris Gayle | PBKS | 4965 | 142 | 141 | 175* | 39.72 | 150.11 | 6 | 31 | 405 | 357 |
1. Virat Kohli: 8661 Runs
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru legend tops the IPL all-time run-scorers chart with 8661 runs from 2008 to 2025. Kohli became the first player to breach the 8000-run mark during IPL 2024’s Eliminator against Rajasthan Royals.
His record 973 runs in IPL 2016 remains the highest single-season tally, featuring an explosive unbeaten 113 off 50 balls against Kings XI Punjab. With 8 centuries, the most by any batter, and 63 fifties, Kohli’s consistency is unmatched in tournament history.
| Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 267 | 259 | 8661 | 113 | 39.55 | 132.86 | 8 | 63 | 771 | 291 |
2. Rohit Sharma: 7046 Runs
Mumbai Indians’ most decorated captain, Rohit Sharma, has lifted five IPL trophies (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020) while amassing 7046 runs between 2008 and 2025.
His maiden IPL century came in 2012, an unbeaten 109 against Kolkata Knight Riders, establishing his reputation as a clutch finisher. Sharma’s 302 sixes rank among the tournament’s highest, showcasing his ability to clear boundaries effortlessly across all phases of the game.
| Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 272 | 267 | 7046 | 109* | 29.73 | 132.10 | 2 | 47 | 640 | 302 |
3. Shikhar Dhawan: 6769 Runs
Fondly called “Gabbar,” Dhawan has been a pillar of strength for Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Punjab Kings across 222 matches from 2008 to 2025. His elegant stroke-play is evident from 768 fours, the most among the top 10.
A memorable unbeaten 106 off 61 balls against Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2020 highlighted his ability to anchor while accelerating. Dhawan’s 51 half-centuries reflect remarkable consistency as an opening batter.
| Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
| 222 | 221 | 6769 | 106* | 35.26 | 127.14 | 2 | 51 | 768 | 152 |
4. David Warner: 6565 Runs
Australia’s explosive opener has terrorized IPL bowlers for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals since 2009. Warner captained SRH to their maiden championship in 2016, piling up 848 runs at an average of 60.57 that season.
His devastating 126 off 59 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2017 featured brutal hitting. With 61 fifties and 4 centuries in just 184 matches through 2025, Warner’s average of 40.52 is exceptional for an aggressive opener.
| Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 184 | 184 | 6565 | 126 | 40.52 | 139.77 | 4 | 61 | 663 | 236 |
5. Suresh Raina: 5528 Runs
Chennai Super Kings’ “Chinna Thala” was the first player to reach 5000 IPL runs, playing exclusively in yellow from 2008 until his retirement in 2021.
Raina’s match-winning, unbeaten 100 off 56 balls against Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2013 showcased his explosive potential. His consistency in the middle order, combined with his electric fielding, made him indispensable to CSK’s multiple title wins. Raina finished with 39 fifties and 5528 runs before retiring in 2022.
| Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 205 | 200 | 5528 | 100* | 32.52 | 136.76 | 1 | 39 | 506 | 203 |
6. MS Dhoni: 5439 Runs
The legendary CSK captain has orchestrated five IPL titles (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023) while batting primarily in the lower-middle order from 2008 to 2025.
Despite never scoring an IPL century, Dhoni’s finishing prowess is legendary; his unbeaten 70 off 34 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2018 exemplifies this. With 264 sixes and a strike rate of 137.45, Captain Cool continues to deliver under pressure in his late-career phase.
| Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 278 | 242 | 5439 | 84* | 38.30 | 137.45 | 0 | 24 | 375 | 264 |
7. KL Rahul: 5222 Runs
Currently with the Delhi Capitals, Rahul has represented RCB and Punjab Kings since 2013, posting the highest average (46.21) among the top 10 run-scorers.
His technical brilliance shone in a masterful 132 not out off 69 balls for PBKS against RCB in IPL 2020, one of the tournament’s finest chases. With 5 centuries and 40 fifties across 145 matches through 2025, Rahul seamlessly combines classical technique with modern power-hitting.
| Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 145 | 136 | 5222 | 132* | 46.21 | 136.03 | 5 | 40 | 452 | 208 |
8. AB de Villiers: 5162 Runs
Nicknamed “Mr. 360” for his all-around batting range, De Villiers played exclusively for RCB from 2011 until his 2021 retirement.
His strike rate of 151.68 remains the highest among batters with 4000-plus IPL runs. The South African’s audacious unbeaten 133 off 59 balls against the Mumbai Indians in 2015 redefined what’s possible in T20 cricket. De Villiers’ innovative shot-making and 251 sixes left an indelible mark on IPL history.
| Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 184 | 170 | 5162 | 133* | 39.70 | 151.68 | 3 | 40 | 413 | 251 |
9. Ajinkya Rahane: 5032 Runs
The classical technician has served the Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, Chennai Super Kings, and, currently, the Kolkata Knight Riders since 2008. Rahane’s elegant 105 not out for the Rajasthan Royals against the Delhi Daredevils in 2012 showcased his ability to pace innings perfectly.
His 514 fours, achieved through timing rather than power, demonstrate his preference for orthodox stroke-play. Through 198 matches in 2025, Rahane provides stability at the top.
| Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 198 | 183 | 5032 | 105* | 30.50 | 125.02 | 2 | 33 | 514 | 123 |
10. Chris Gayle: 4965 Runs
The “Universe Boss” revolutionized IPL batting for Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Punjab Kings from 2009 to 2021. Gayle owns the IPL’s highest individual score, a monstrous unbeaten 175 off 66 balls featuring 13 fours and 17 sixes against Pune Warriors in 2013.
His 6 centuries and 357 sixes inspired a generation of power-hitters. With a strike rate of 150.11, Gayle’s aggressive intent changed T20 cricket forever.
| Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 142 | 141 | 4965 | 175* | 39.72 | 150.11 | 6 | 31 | 405 | 357 |
Related Read:
Conclusion: Virat Kohli Leads With 8661 Runs
After 17 editions of the IPL since 2008, Virat Kohli stands as the tournament’s highest run-scorer with 8661 runs, setting a benchmark for consistency and excellence. His record is followed by Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, David Warner, and Suresh Raina.
These legends have not only accumulated massive runs but have also entertained millions worldwide with exceptional skills and match-winning performances.
