Top 5 Most Valuable Players (MVPs) In IPL this Decade
Sportsmonks

5 Most Valuable Players (MVPs) In IPL this Decade

When it comes to the shortest format of the game, one can mention the Indian Premier League or IPL in the same breath as the T-20 World Cup. Not only has it brought the essence of your dream players sharing the same dressing room, it has also been a massive platform for the young-guns to showcase their talent.

Since its inauguration 11 years ago, the popularity of this cricketing extravaganza has only increased over the years. None of this would have been made possible without the consistent displays of the participating players. With the unreal hard-hitting cricketing action that takes place on the field, there are some players who, more than others, have been the oxygen providers to this league.

No matter with the bat or ball or both, these players have captivated the attention of the fans consistently. With their constant attitude of rising to the occasion, they have rightfully earned the distinction of being the Most Valuable Players or MVPs in the league.

Top Valuable Players (MVPs) in this IPL

  • Suresh Raina

In the 12 year-long history of the league, very few have been as consistently successful with the bat as Suresh Raina. Being one of the best first-downs in this format, Raina has cemented his IPL legacy by both being an anchor as well as a hard-hitter. After Virat Kohli, he ranks second in terms of “Runs Scored” in this tournament. This CSK veteran has been one of the select few who were able to score over 350 runs in every edition of IPL. With a cumulative score of over 4,500 runs in the last decade, he has rightfully earned the moniker of Mr. IPL.

Raina has played more than a significant role behind Chennai Super Kings winning this prestigious tournament thrice in 2010, 2011 and 2018. For two years, he has also lead the Gujarat Lions in the years 2016 and 17. Not only that, he was even capable enough to lead the team to the top of the table.

  • Sunil Narine

From Trinidad, this 31-year old spinner earned his share of fame after he became the difference-maker for the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2012. In that edition of the tournament, no one even came close in terms of being the MVP to Sunil Narine.  He was the talk of the town in his debut season itself.

Dubbed as the Mystery Spinner, Narine is now the second-highest wicket-taker for the Kolkata-based franchise, taking 122 wickets in only 110 appearances. Not only has he been a phenomenon with the ball, but he has also shone with the bat. He showed his aggressive side while opening the innings for KKR, scoring a fifty, which was the fastest in the entire 2017 edition of the tournament. It also happened to be the 3rd most rapid fifty in the whole history of this cricketing extravaganza. For his magnificent performance in 2018, he was bestowed with the title of MVP for the second time, being only the second cricketer to achieve the feat.

  • David Warner

The Australian opener, who started his IPL venture with the-then Delhi Daredevils, did not receive any adequate opportunity to demonstrate his hard-hitting talents. When given the opportunity, he was not able to justify his selection in the first team, either. With him being traded to the Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2014, his luck seemed to change as the Aussie top-order batsman set the tournament on fire.

Despite being the top run-getter that season, the Australian opener was unable to take the Hyderabad-based franchise to the playoffs. In the following years as well, he became a significant cog for the “men in Orange.” In 2015, he became the skipper of the team, eventually leading the Sunrisers to their much-coveted maiden title victory.

As one of the most ferocious openers in the tournament, his representation for the Sunrisers has been prolific. It has been most evident with him bagging three orange caps, the highest in the entire history of the tournament.  He has been the highest overseas run-getter in the competition, scoring a mammoth 4543 runs in the last ten years.

  • Rohit Sharma

Renowned in the cricketing world to be the Hitman, Rohit Sharma credits most of his cricketing achievements to the Indian Premier League. After representing the now-obsolete Deccan Chargers in the first few editions of the IPL, he was roped in by the Mumbai Indians. And, the rest was history. His fortunes started to change when he was announced as the skipper mid-way in the tournament. Not only that, he was able to guide the team to ultimate glory in that edition itself.

The Mumbai-based franchise has seen significant success under his captaincy, as they ended up with four championships in the last seven editions.  He has been the flag-bearer for the franchise and has also been declared as the best captain of the competition.

With 31 half-centuries and 2 tons, the prolific Indian opener was able to score 4000+ runs since 2010. Rohit is in third place when it comes to most runs scored in the tournament.  Given his talent, these numbers may not glorify his contribution, but his role and impact behind MI’s success and victories go beyond mere statistics.

  • Virat Kohli

No one has been in the limelight more in the last decade, in terms of cricket, than Virat Kohli. But, time was not in his favor for the entire time. He was not able to live up to his talent for the first few years of the IPL. Despite sticking with the Bangalore-based side, he was never a part of IPL folklore due to his on-and-off performances with the bat.

From 2011, his fortunes started changing for the better as his tally of 557 runs was a significant contributor to them getting to the tournament finals, only to fall short to the Chennai Super Kings. However, ever since 2011, he has only gotten better with every passing year. He became so good by the end of 2016 that he became the Orange-cap holder, scoring almost a thousand runs in a single edition of the tournament. In the history of IPL, he is now the highest run-scorer. He made over 5000+ runs in this decade alone, scoring 35 fifties in the process. Despite being unable to win the big trophy yet, no one can deny his contribution to the overall enigma of the IPL.

Leave a Reply