Since the IPL has started way back in 2008, the Australian cricketers have always lit up the IPL with their performances. Most of the Australian players enjoy their time in the IPL and are committed to the franchise. A player like David Warner said that Hyderabad is now his second home which is great for the growth of IPL. Harsha Bhogle once said that the IPL is mass immigration of Australians to India for a two-month period. Many Australian batsmen have come to the IPL and dominated in the league. Six Australian batsmen have scored more than 2000 runs in the IPL. So, let’s have a look at who are the six batsmen who have crossed 2000 IPL runs.
6. Aaron Finch – 2005 runs
Aaron Finch became the latest entrant to the 2000 run club amongst the Australian batsmen. The Australian white-ball captain has played for eight teams and still hasn’t managed to nail his spot in any side.
He was a part of the RCB team this year but he failed to make an impact. Finch has scored 2005 runs in 85 innings at an average of 25.70 and a strike-rate of 127.70. The IPL hasn’t seen the best of Aaron Finch and maybe we might see it in the upcoming seasons.
5. Adam Gilchrist – 2069 runs
Adam Gilchrist was part of the Deccan Chargers in the first three years and he led them to the trophy in 2009. It was an incredible journey as they had finished last on the points table in 2008.
The left-handed wicket-keeper batsman has scored 2069 runs in 80 innings at an average of 27.22 and a strike-rate of 138.39 with a couple of hundreds in the IPL. He struggled in his last season but one of the innings everyone might remember is the one in which he smashed Delhi Capitals in the semis to take his team to the Finals.
4. Steve Smith – 2333 runs
Steve Smith who is the captain of the Rajasthan Royals has been a part of the IPL since the Pune Warriors India days. Smith has scored 2333 runs in 86 innings at an average of 35.34 and a strike-rate of 129.25. He led the Rising Pune Supergiant to the Final in IPL 2017. He didn’t have a great IPL Season this year but he will surely make a strong comeback in the next IPL.
3. Shaun Marsh – 2477 runs
Shaun Marsh is the most underrated batsman in the IPL. In the inaugural season of the IPL, he was the leading run-scorer as he won the Orange Cap for Kings XI Punjab. He has scored 2477 runs in 69 innings at an average of 39.95 and a strike-rate of 132.74. He has played for only one franchise in the IPL – Kings XI Punjab but he was more than successful for them. It is really unfortunate that a player like Marsh doesn’t get picked in the auction.
2. Shane Watson – 3874 runs
Shane Watson has been an IPL great. He is one of those rare species who can open the batting, bat in the middle-order, field well and can bowl his four overs as well. Shane Watson has been the Most Valuable Player twice in his IPL career.
He has won the IPL for Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings and almost won with Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2016. He has scored 3874 runs in 141 innings at an average of 30.99 and a strike-rate of 137.91 with four IPL hundreds to his name. After IPL 2020, he announced his retirement from T20 cricket.
1. David Warner – 5254 runs
People are asking whether David Warner is the greatest batsmen in the IPL and rightly so because his record is at another level. Warner has won the Orange Cap thrice as he has scored 5254 runs in 142 innings at an average of 42.71 and a strike-rate of 141.54 with four IPL tons.
He has scored more than 500 runs in the last five seasons which he has played which is insane. He has the most 50+ scores in the IPL. His numbers are just at a different level and he is the best Australian batsmen to play the IPL.
