Performing well in the playoffs/semi-finals and final in the IPL is a deed much remembered by the fans. For, it is on the biggest occasions that the best and most competitive players stand up and guide their team to glory.
The playoffs/semifinals and finals are amongst the most watched cricket matches in the world, so, obviously, performing in them, with such huge stakes, is a matter of great competence.
Here are the top 3 run-scorers in IPL playoffs and finals:
Suresh Raina – 714 runs
Known as Mr. IPL for his terrific consistency in the first decade and more of the tournament, Suresh is the man with the most number of runs in the playoffs and finals. The left-handed former CSK batsman has featured in 24 matches in the last phase of the IPL – the second most after only skipper Dhoni.
In the playoffs and finals of the IPL, Raina has scored 714 runs at an average of 37 with a strike rate of 155, and has hit 7 fifties, including a Man of the Match performance in the 2010 final vs Mumbai Indians. His best in the playoffs came in that incredible knock of 87 off 25 balls against Punjab in 2014.
MS Dhoni – 522 runs
Mahendra Singh Dhoni holds the record for most playoffs/semi-finals and finals combined appearances – 26 with CSK and Rising Pune Supergiant. Mahendra Singh Dhoni averages 40 in 21 knocks in this phase of the tournament with a strike rate of 132. Both of his fifties have come against MI – one in a winning cause in 2012 Eliminatior and another in losing cause in 2013 final.
Shane Watson – 389 runs
Shane Watson has attained a legendary status in the IPL. He appeared in the playoffs with all of his three franchises – RR, RCB, and CSK, winning the title in 2008 and 2018.
Watson smoked 117* in the 2018 final vs SRH in one of the greatest IPL innings after starting off really slowly but exploding spectacularly.
Watson is the 3rd highest IPL run-scorer in playoffs/semis and final with 389 runs at an average of 35 and strike rate of 151 with 3 fifties and a century to his name in this phase of the competition.
Top 5 run-scorers in IPL playoffs:
Suresh Raina – 714 runs
MS Dhoni – 522 runs
Shane Watson – 389 runs
Mike Hussey – 388 runs
Faf du Plessis – 373 runs
