The Indian Premier League ignites fierce battles for batting supremacy each year, with Virat Kohli holding the record for the most runs in a single season with 973 in just 16 matches during IPL 2016 for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Since its inception in 2008, the tournament has shattered records and launched new cricket stars.
Certain seasons remain etched in memory, where select players amassed staggering run totals that continue to stun fans. Dive into the top 10 single-season run-scorers in IPL history, celebrating these extraordinary batting marathons that define T20 excellence.
Most Runs In An IPL Season
Here is a table followed by details of most runs in an IPL season.
| Player | Season | Runs | Matches | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 100’s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli (RCB) | 2016 | 973 | 16 | 113 | 81.08 | 152.03 | 4 |
| Shubman Gill (GT) | 2023 | 890 | 17 | 129 | 59.33 | 157.80 | 3 |
| Jos Buttler (RR) | 2022 | 863 | 17 | 116 | 57.53 | 149.05 | 4 |
| David Warner (SRH) | 2016 | 848 | 17 | 93* | 60.57 | 151.42 | – |
| Sai Sudarshan (GT) | 2025 | 759 | 15 | 108* | 54.21 | 156.17 | 1 |
| Virat Kohli (RCB) | 2024 | 741 | 15 | 113* | 61.75 | 154.69 | 1 |
| Kane Williamson (SRH) | 2018 | 735 | 17 | 84 | 52.50 | 156.17 | – |
| Chris Gayle (RCB) | 2012 | 733 | 15 | 128* | 61.08 | 160.74 | 1 |
| Michael Hussey (CSK) | 2013 | 733 | 17 | 95 | 52.35 | 129.50 | – |
| Faf Du Plessis (RCB) | 2023 | 730 | 14 | 84 | 56.15 | 153.68 | – |
1. Virat Kohli (RCB) – 973 Runs In 2016
Virat Kohli’s 2016 run is just wild. He hammered 973 runs for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, yeah, that’s still the record, and it doesn’t look like anyone’s going to touch it anytime soon. He played all 16 matches that year, smashed four centuries and seven fifties, averaged a ridiculous 81.08, and kept his strike rate above 150. He just kept finding ways to score, no matter the pressure. RCB rode his form all the way to the final.
2. Shubman Gill (GT) – 890 Runs In 2023
Shubman Gill gave Kohli a real scare in 2023. He piled up 890 runs for the Gujarat Titans, grabbed the Orange Cap, and hit three centuries. His best knock was a stunning 129. Gill averaged 59.33 and kept things moving with a strike rate near 158. He batted with a calm that belied his age, and his runs carried the Gujarat Titans back into the playoffs.
3. Jos Buttler (RR) – 863 Runs In 2022
Jos Buttler went on a tear in 2022. The English opener smashed 863 runs for the Rajasthan Royals, including four centuries in a single season. Buttler’s strike rate was 149, shows how fast he scored, and he topped out with an unbeaten 116. Rajasthan made the final, and Buttler was a nightmare for bowlers all tournament.
4. David Warner (SRH) – 848 Runs In 2016
David Warner was a force in 2016, too. He collected 848 runs for Sunrisers Hyderabad, racked up nine fifties, and didn’t even need a century to make his mark. Warner averaged over 60 and led SRH to their first IPL trophy. He honestly just kept proving he’s one of the best in T20 cricket.
5. Sai Sudharsan (GT) – 759 Runs In 2025
Sai Sudharsan announced himself in IPL 2025. He scored 759 runs for the Gujarat Titans, picking up the Orange Cap along the way. His best? An unbeaten 108. With a strike rate over 156 and an average north of 54, Sudharsan chalked up a century and six fifties, showing he belongs with the big names.
6. Virat Kohli (RCB) – 741 Runs In 2024
And Kohli wasn’t done. In 2024, he punched out 741 runs and bagged another Orange Cap, his fifth season with over 600 runs. No one else has managed that. He lifted his strike rate to nearly 155, added a century and five fifties, and helped RCB recover after a slow start.
7. Kane Williamson (SRH) – 735 Runs In 2018
Kane Williamson steadied the ship for Sunrisers in 2018, scoring 735 runs across 17 games. No centuries, but eight fifties and a level-headed approach took SRH to the final. He grabbed the Orange Cap, proving that playing it smart pays off.
8. Chris Gayle (RCB) – 733 Runs In 2012
Chris Gayle lit up IPL 2012 with pure Caribbean swagger. He hammered 733 runs in just 15 games for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, smashing bowlers all over the park at a wild strike rate of 160.74. That unbeaten 128? Just classic Gayle, powerful, fearless, and impossible to predict. He finished with one century and seven fifties, averaging a ridiculous 61.08. Honestly, nobody had an answer for his six-hitting. With Gayle at the crease, even harrowing chases suddenly looked simple.
9. Michael Hussey (CSK) – 733 Runs In 2013
Michael Hussey matched Gayle’s run tally in 2013, but his approach was night and day compared to the Universe Boss. Playing for Chennai Super Kings, Hussey racked up 733 runs across 17 games, but he built his innings patiently, picking his moments instead of going full throttle from the start. His top score was 95, and while he didn’t get to triple figures, he still notched up six half-centuries. He averaged 52.35—steady, reliable, always giving CSK a strong foundation up top. The team leaned on him every time.
10. Faf du Plessis (RCB) – 730 Runs In 2023
Then there’s Faf du Plessis in IPL 2023. He led from the front for RCB, piling up 730 runs in just 14 matches. No centuries that season, but he was a picture of consistency with eight fifties and a strike rate of 153.68. His best was 84, and he averaged 56.15. Faf set the tone every time he walked out to bat. His leadership and steady scoring kept RCB in the playoff race right to the end.
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Conclusion: Virat Kohli Tops The List For Most Runs In An IPL Season
Kohli’s 973 runs in 2016 still stand tall, but every season brings a new challenger. Gill nearly caught him, Sudharsan burst onto the scene, and the IPL just keeps producing new heroes. These numbers aren’t just stats, they’re proof of just how electric this league has become.
