Such is the fleeting nature of Twenty20s that very often an innings of 30 runs is often considered to be match-winning and hence batsmen who peel off 50 runs are perhaps priceless assets for any team.
More often than not, an innings of 50 galvanises the entire batting effort and hence is helpful in building a decent total.
Here in this article, we take a look at the top three batsmen in the IPL to have scored the must number of half-centuries.
- Rohit Sharma
The languid right-hander has been a force to reckon with in the Indian Premier League and right from the inception when he played for the Deccan Chargers was a match-winner by all means.
However, his career turned for the better when he made the switch to Mumbai Indians and quickly established himself as one of the marquee players for the team.
He replaced Ricky Ponting as the captain of the team in 2013 and his batting has grown ever since. The only skipper to have won three IPL titles, Rohit has scored 32 fifties in 159 matches. Along the way, he has also managed to one century.
With 4207 runs in 159 matches at an average of 32.61 and with a strike rate of 130.89, Rohit will once again be the man to watch out for from the Mumbai Indians.
- Gautam Gambhir
Perhaps the most consistent player in T20s, Gautam Gambhir has been a prolific run-maker in the IPLs and in his tenure with the Kolkata Knight Riders, the southpaw was like a run-machine.
In 148 matches in the IPL, Gambhir has scored 35 fifties with 483 boundaries and 58 sixes.
Also, he has scored 4132 runs at an average of 31.78 and with a strike rate of 124.60.
He will lead the Delhi Daredevils this season and would hope to replicate his form at the Feroz Shah Kotla.
His great ability to maneuver the ball, both against seam and spin works perfectly for him and back on his home territory, Gambhir would look to lead the Delhi Daredevils to the elusive IPL crown.
- David Warner
It will be a crying shame that the diminutive Australian batsman will not be able to take part in this season’s IPL and his absence will impede Sunrisers Hyderabad’s progress in the season.
However, despite all his controversies, the fact remains that Warner is one of the most prolific batsmen in this format and his presence at the top of the order is both intimidating and match-winning.
In 114 matches, Warner has peeled of 36 fifties and also three centuries.
Along the way, he has scored 4014 runs at an average of 40.54 and with a strike rate of 142.13.
Not only will SRH miss his leadership, but his panache with the bat at the top of the order.
