Top 3 Players who have scored highest runs in the IPL playoffs

The IPL of one of the grandest tournaments in the history of T20 leagues across the world. Many teams have competed for the prestigious trophy but only a few have won it. The Mumbai Indians have won the coveted trophy a record 5 times while the Chennai Super Kings have claimed it 4 times to their name. These are also the two teams that have qualified for the most number of times in the IPL playoffs, the Chennai Super Kings doing it 11 times in the 13 seasons they have played and the Mumbai Indians doing it 9 times out of 15 seasons. having played more games would translate to an opportunity to score more runs and fittingly so, the top three run-scorers in the IPL Playoffs are all from the Chennai Super Kings or have played for them. Here is a list of the highest run-scorers in the IPL Playoffs

1. Suresh Raina (CSK, GL)

A pivotal player for the Chennai Super Kings across seasons since their start in 2008, Raina has always been among the runs. He tops the list for the Highest run scorers in the IPL playoffs. He is known as Mr. IPL and has never failed to deliver as he has scored 300+ in every season he played from 2008 to 2019. The Chennai Super Kings, being the most consistent teams to grace the playoffs, Raina has made a mark in the Playoffs as he tops the list of highest run-scorers in the IPL playoffs. He has played 24 innings in the playoffs and scored a whopping 714 runs.

One of his most memorable innings where he scored blazing 87 off just 25 deliveries came against the Kings XI Punjab (now known as Punjab Kings) in Qualifier 2 in 2014. He has an average of 37.57 and a Strike Rate of 155.21 when it comes to the IPL playoffs. Raina also holds a few other records such as most number of sixes (40) and fours (51), fastest fifty (16 balls), Most MoM (3 Joint with Kieron Pollard), and most fifties (7) in IPL Playoffs.

2. MS Dhoni (CSK, RPS)

The Captain of the Chennai Super Kings from 2008 till date, MS Dhoni has seen playoff qualification success like no other team. Having played the most number of games in the IPL playoffs for a player (26 games), Dhoni has amassed 522 runs in the playoffs of the Indian Premier League thus placing him second on the list for highest run scorers in the IPL Playoffs.

He has an average and a strike rate of 40.13 and 132.82 respectively. Having the finisher’s role for the Chennai Super Kings, Dhoni has been integral to the success of the franchise over the years. He has scored two 50s and his highest score of 63* off 45 balls came in 2013 final when they lost to the Mumbai Indians. Dhoni also holds the records for Captain with the most wins in IPL playoffs (15) and also Captain with the most losses in IPL playoffs (9).

3. Shane Watson (RR, RCB, CSK)

Shane Watson has been one of the most prolific all-rounders to have played the IPL. He is a real asset to the team as he contributes with both the bat and ball. He has the ability to bat anywhere in the batting order be it opening the innings like he did at the Chennai Super Kings or played in the Middle Order for the Rajasthan Royals. Watson has been instrumental for the teams he has played for, winning the inaugural season of the IPL in 2008 with the Rajasthan Royals.

Watson was also named player of the tournament as he scored 472 runs and picked 17 wickets. He then joined the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2016 as they reached the final but were denied a title by the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Watson did well with the ball that season too picking 20 wickets. He was bought by the Chennai Super Kings in 2018 and was the player of the final as his 117 off 57 ensured the Chennai Super Kings their 3rd IPL title. He also was the lone fighter for CSK in the final in 2019 scoring a gritty 80 off 59 where they fell short of 1 run and lost to the Mumbai Indians. Over the years, Watson has played 12 games and has scored 389 runs in the IPL Playoffs at an average and strike rate of 35.36 and 151.36 respectively.