Chasing in cricket is an art that most cricketers fail to master. However, the ones who do are altogether of a different mould as not only do they play under the cosh and come out in flying colours but also display a character of the finest metal.
Indian Premier League is the breeding ground of several such talents, one of which is scoring a half-century while chasing. Once again, it is not necessary that scoring a fifty will ensure a victory for one’s team but it gives you the spectrum to fire beyond the ordinary.
We will look at five cricketers who scored the highest number of fifties while chasing in an IPL game, irrespective of the upshot of the game.
- David Warner – 24
The big-hitting Australian has been one of the most successful cricketers in India’s most glamorous domestic extravaganza. Racking up the Orange Cap for a whopping three times, he managed to smash 4706 runs from 126 games.
While chasing, Warner has managed to string 24 half-centuries out of the total 44 fifties that he has scored. Known for his pyrotechnics at the beginning of the innings, Warner is an absolute cracker whom Sunrisers Hyderabad blindly pin their hopes on.
- Gautam Gambhir – 20
The Delhi-born cricketer, Gautam Gambhir played a pivotal role in helping India lift two World Cups and also captained KKR to their maiden IPL trophy. A brilliant opener and an even better captain, he was an absolute hit in his IPL days.
He turned even better whenever he was chasing totals. This brought out the best in him as he hammered the cherry at will in any corner of the park. He has managed to string 20 half-centuries while chasing out of the total 36 that he has struck in Indian Premier League.
- Virat Kohli – 16
The chasing specialist, Virat Kohli is altogether a new incarnation of himself when he comes out to chase. Though he is third in this list, he still continues to dominate the proceedings with his exquisite stroke play.
His chasing records for the national team are as impressive as his IPL statistics. Kohli has struck 16 half-centuries while chasing. The total number of fifties up his sleeves is 36 that has seen him garnering 5412 runs at a decent average of 37.84.
4. Shikhar Dhawan – 16
India’s second opener, Shikhar Dhawan is unaware of how exactly to stop with the bat in his hand. Seeing him defend is a rare spectacle. He is always on the move, attacking every single delivery and hammering them to the fence.
He has managed to score 16 fifties while chasing that saw him become one of the best forces of Indian Premier League. The southpaw has managed to amass 4579 runs from 159 games at a steady average of 33.42 which also features 37 half-centuries in total.
5. Rohit Sharma – 15
Another consistent name in the cricketing ranks, irrespective of the fact that whether the fray is domestic or international, this man never relents. With his shots ranging from dancing down the pitch to the perfectly-struck pulls, Sharma is one of the most relentless strikers of the ball.
India’s hitman has managed to smash 15 half-centuries while chasing as the total number of fifties for this hard-hitter goes up to 36.
