Only 10 players have played over 200 matches in the IPL. The IPL started in 2008, bringing together top players from around the world for the first time in one tournament. This made the IPL very popular. Over 16 seasons have happened so far.
But only a few players have had long careers in the IPL, lasting around 14 or 15 seasons, because it’s tough to keep playing when there are so many good players. In this article, we’ll talk about the top ten players who have played the most matches and consistently performed well in the IPL.
Here are the top 10 cricketers who have played the most matches in the IPL:
10. Ambati Rayudu- 204 matches
Ambati Rayudu used to play cricket for two teams, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. He started playing for Mumbai Indians in 2010 and stopped playing after winning with Chennai Super Kings in 2023. In total, he played 204 games and scored 4348 runs, with his highest score being 100 not out.
9. Robin Uthappa – 205 matches
Robin Uthappa won lots of prizes playing for two different teams: Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings. He played for six teams in total. He stopped playing in 2022 after playing 205 games, scoring 4952 runs with an average of 27.51, and his best score was 88.
8. Suresh Raina – 205 matches
Suresh Raina was really good at batting in the Indian Premier League. People called him “Mr. IPL” because he was so good. He played a big part in helping the Chennai Super Kings win. Raina has scored the most runs in IPL knockout matches, which helped his team win titles. He stopped playing in 2021 after playing 205 matches. In those matches, he scored 5523 runs with an average of 32.51, and his highest score was 100 not out.
7. Ravi Ashwin – 208 matches
Ravi Ashwin has been playing in the IPL since 2009. He started with Chennai Super Kings and then joined four other teams. Now he plays for Rajasthan Royals. Recently, he became the 10th player to play 200 games. In total, he has played 208 matches, taken 176 wickets, and scored 771 runs.
6. Shikhar Dhawan – 222 matches
Shikhar Dhawan, a cricket player from India, has been playing in the league since it started in 2008. He started with the Delhi Daredevils, now called Delhi Capitals, and also played for Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Punjab Kings. He’s really good at scoring runs and is the second-best scorer in the IPL. Dhawan has played 222 games, scored 6769 runs, and has an average of 35.25. He’s scored two centuries and 51 half-centuries.
5. Ravindra Jadeja – 239 matches
Ravindra Jadeja is the only player in the top ten who won the IPL in the first season with Rajasthan Royals. He played for them for three seasons before joining Chennai Super Kings in 2011. Since then, he’s played 239 games, taken 160 wickets, and scored 2912 runs.
4. Virat Kohli – 250 matches
Virat Kohli has played for only one team, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, in every season of the IPL since it started in 2008. He’s really good at batting and has scored the most runs and centuries in the whole tournament. He’s played 250 games, scored 7924 runs, and hit eight centuries.
3. Dinesh Karthik – 254 matches
Dinesh Karthik, an experienced wicket-keeper, has been in every IPL season. He’s played for six teams and now plays for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. In total, he’s played 254 matches, scored 4817 runs at an average of 26.61. He’s been part of teams like Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), Gujarat Lions, Kolkata Knight Riders, Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), Mumbai Indians, and RCB.
2. Rohit Sharma – 256 matches
Rohit Sharma started playing in the IPL for Deccan Chargers in 2008 and helped them win the 2009 championship. In 2011, he switched to Mumbai Indians, and by 2013, he became their captain. Under his leadership, Mumbai Indians have won the IPL title five times, which is tied for the most wins in the tournament. Rohit has played 256 matches and scored 6560 runs with an average of 29.54. Additionally, he has achieved an IPL hat-trick.
1. MS Dhoni – 263 matches
The guy who made Indian cricket better as a leader is also the best IPL captain ever. MS Dhoni made Chennai Super Kings really strong. They got to the finals 10 times and won five. He took them to the playoffs 12 times and played the most games as a player and captain in the IPL. Dhoni played 263 games and scored 5218 runs with an average of 39.23, with his highest score being 84 not out.
