Batsmen with the best batting average in the IPL

In modern-day cricket, the way data is analysed has changed leaps and bounds. It is no longer only the average or the strike rate of a batsman that is taken into consideration, especially in the IPL. There are several other dynamics that have come into play and the process is a lot more complex now.

For instance, a sum of average and strike rate is used as a metric in T20 cricket nowadays. Anything above 200 is great. Data analysis has progressed a lot in recent times with various different metrics that come into play, particularly while assembling the squads for T20 leagues such as the IPL. However, batting average still is a valid reference point when considered for a minimum number of games. Some of the batsmen have a brilliant batting average in the IPL.

The likes of Jonny Bairstow, Adam Voges, Hashim Amla and Iqbal Abdullah have averages of 56, 45, 44 and 44, respectively. But the sample size for them is a bit too low as none of them have played more than 20 innings.

The big guys

Amongst the batsmen who played over 100 games in the league, David Warner, MS Dhoni and Chris Gayle have got the best averages. Warner has batted in 126 innings thus far and was not out on 17 occasions. He scored 4,706 runs at an average of 43.17 and a strike rate of 142.39.

MS Dhoni has the next best average, having batted in 170 innings with an average of 42.20 combined with a strike rate of 137.85. The CSK captain has remained not out on 65 occasions. Chris Gayle has batted in 124 innings, scoring 4,484 runs and has maintained an average of 41.13 combined with a strike rate of 151.02. He was unbeaten on 15 occasions.

The surprise entries

KL Rahul is also right up there amongst the batsmen with best averages. In 58 innings, he was not out 11 times, scoring 1,977 runs at an average of 42.06. His strike rate is a little over 138. Paul Collingwood and Lendl Simmons batted in 7 and 29 innings respectively and have an average of 40.60 and 39.96.

AB de Villiers and Shaun Marsh have got exactly the same average at 39.95. While de Villiers batted in 142 innings and scored 4,395 runs, Marsh mustered 2,447 runs in 69 innings. JP Duminy is next on the list with 2,029 runs in 77 innings and has got a batting average of 39.78.

Michael Hussey and Kane Williamson are the other two batsmen who find a place in the Top-15. The left-hander scored 1,977 runs in 58 innings at an average of 38.76. Williamson, on the other hand, has accumulated 1,302 runs in 41 innings at an average of 38.29 so far.

(Stats as of before 19th September 2020)