Since its inception in 2008, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed the rise of numerous talented cricketers who have left an indelible mark on the tournament. Among these players, only seven have featured in all 16 seasons of the T20 event, showcasing their consistency and longevity in the league. These players include Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni, Wriddhiman Saha, Shikhar Dhawan, Dinesh Karthik, and Manish Pandey.
Virat Kohli, representing the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) throughout his IPL career, has been a prolific run-scorer and a prominent figure in the league. Despite not winning an IPL title, Kohli has etched his name in the record books, accumulating 7,043 runs in 233 matches with an average of 36.68 and a strike rate of 129.49. His ability to consistently perform at a high level has made him one of the most revered batsmen in the tournament’s history.
Rohit Sharma, who initially played for the Deccan Chargers and then moved to the Mumbai Indians (MI), has enjoyed tremendous success in the IPL. With six IPL titles to his name, five of which were won with MI, Rohit has been an influential leader and a vital cog in his team’s success. He has amassed 6,063 runs in 237 matches, including one century and 41 fifties, with an average of 29.72 and a strike rate of 129.80.
Another iconic figure in the IPL is MS Dhoni, who has captained the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for a significant portion of his IPL career. Under his leadership, CSK has secured four IPL titles, highlighting Dhoni’s astute captaincy skills. Known for his lightning-quick glovework behind the stumps, Dhoni has also contributed with the bat, scoring 5,054 runs in 244 matches at an average of 39.48 and a strike rate of 135.86.
Wriddhiman Saha, one of the few wicketkeeper-batters on this list, has represented multiple teams in the IPL. From the Kolkata Knight Riders to the Sunrisers Hyderabad and currently playing for the Gujarat Titans, Saha has been a reliable presence behind the stumps. He has accumulated 2,700 runs in 155 matches, including a century and 12 fifties, with an average of 25.47 and a strike rate of 128.76.
Shikhar Dhawan, known for his aggressive batting style, has showcased his talent for various franchises in the IPL. Starting with the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) and then playing for multiple teams, including the Sunrisers Hyderabad and the Punjab Kings, Dhawan has been a consistent run-getter. With 6,536 runs in 213 matches, he has two centuries and 49 fifties to his name, with an average of 35.72 and a strike rate of 127.21.
Dinesh Karthik, a versatile cricketer who has represented several teams in the IPL, has showcased his skills both as a batsman and a wicketkeeper. Playing for teams like the Delhi Daredevils, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Kolkata Knight Riders, Karthik has been a dependable middle-order batsman. He has scored 4,486 runs in 239 matches, including 20 fifties, with an average of 26.08 and a strike rate of 132.64.
Manish Pandey, who started his IPL journey with MI and later played for teams such as the Royal Challengers Bangalore.