Stats: Captains with Most 500+ Runs in an IPL Season
In the high-stakes IPL, being a captain is no easy task. They need to pick the perfect team combination, inspire each player to perform at their best, and keep the winning momentum going. This pressure can sometimes affect their own performance. However, some captains have consistently excelled, season after season, whether with the bat or the ball.
Many standout batters have led their teams by scoring massive runs. A few of these captains have made it a habit to score 500+ runs in multiple seasons.
In this article, we’ll dive into the list of captains with most 500+ runs in an IPL season, showcasing their incredible consistency and leadership on the field.
Top IPL Captains with 500+ Run Seasons
In the IPL, certain captains have consistently delivered outstanding performances with the bat, leading their teams by example. David Warner tops the list with five seasons of scoring 500+ runs (2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2023). Virat Kohli and KL Rahul follow closely, each with four seasons; Kohli achieved this in 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2018, while Rahul did so in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024.
Legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir each have two 500+ run seasons, with Tendulkar in 2010 and 2011 and Gambhir in 2012 and 2016. Other captains who have reached this milestone include Kane Williamson (2018), Shreyas Iyer (2020), Faf du Plessis (2023), and the newest entrants, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson, both achieving this in 2024.
| Captain | Number of 500+ Run Seasons | IPL Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| David Warner | 5 | 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2023 |
| Virat Kohli | 4 | 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018 |
| KL Rahul | 4 | 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 2 | 2010, 2011 |
| Gautam Gambhir | 2 | 2012, 2016 |
| Kane Williamson | 1 | 2018 |
| Shreyas Iyer | 1 | 2020 |
| Faf du Plessis | 1 | 2023 |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | 1 | 2024 |
| Sanju Samson | 1 | 2024 |
IPL Captains Who Shine with the Bat: Key Insights
David Warner holds the record for scoring 500+ runs the most times in an IPL season as a captain, achieving this remarkable feat in 5 seasons while leading 2 different teams.
David Warner and KL Rahul are the only captains to score 500+ runs in a single season for 2 different teams. Warner did it 4 times for Sunrisers Hyderabad (2015, 2016, 2017, 2020) and once for Delhi Capitals (2023). KL Rahul achieved this twice for Punjab Kings (2020, 2021) and once for Lucknow Super Giants (2022).
Sachin Tendulkar was the first captain to score 500+ runs in an IPL season and win the Orange Cap. In 2010, he scored 618 runs in 15 innings for Mumbai Indians, securing the Orange Cap that season.
Warner, Rahul, and Tendulkar are the only captains to score 500+ runs in 2 or more consecutive seasons. Warner did it three times (2015, 2016, 2017), Rahul also did it three times (2020, 2021, 2022), and Tendulkar continued his form from 2010 into the 2011 season.
Kane Williamson (2018), KL Rahul (2020), and Ruturaj Gaikwad (2024) are the only captains to score 500+ runs in their debut IPL seasons as captains.
Virat Kohli holds the record for the most centuries in a single IPL season as a captain, hitting 4 hundreds in 2016. That year, Kohli also set a record by scoring 973 runs in 16 matches — the most runs in a single IPL season.
