/sky247-english/media/agency_attachments/u8Dd4hyaH0mQGXmyg0Eo.png)
/sky247-english/media/media_files/oXHoxgPA7CrylmMTcwp1.jpg)
Follow Us/sky247-english/media/media_files/UewFyK7qXBt6kFOHhKRW.png)
Glenn Maxwell & Nicholas Pooran (Source: Twitter)
In an era where a batter's caliber is measured by the runs he scores or the average he carries, power hitters/finishers are undervalued. This assessment can be accepted in Test and to some extent in the ODI format, but in T20 cricket, players with high strike rates are more important. Instead of anchoring the innings, there should be players who can accelerate right from the start in a 20-over game.
/sky247-english/media/media_files/L36rCpmHRJkAgRgNCcLd.jpg)
The presence of big hitters in a team is necessary to win a T20 match or tournament. Such impactful players will generally bat in the middle order or lower middle order to score maximum runs in the death overs. Over the years, the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has had many power hitters who have set the stage on fire with their ruthless hitting. In this article, we take a look at the 5 batters with the highest strike rate in IPL history.
5. Nicholas Pooran (156.79)
/sky247-english/media/post_attachments/d1cce5e7-4d8.png "publive-image")
There is no stopping for Nicholas Pooran when he is on song. The West Indies striker, who previously represented Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), is currently part of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Apart from SRH, the left-hander has displayed some stunning knocks for the other two franchises. Batting at No.4 or 5, Pooran's task is to finish the innings well. In his 62 IPL matches, his average maybe just 27.02, but his strike rate is a massive 156.79.
4. Glenn Maxwell (157.62)
/sky247-english/media/post_attachments/da23e581-5fa.png "publive-image")
It's not a myth that the match is not over until Glenn Maxwell is dismissed. The Australian all-rounder is capable of single-handedly pulling off wins. The middle-order batter can hit any part of the ground, making it hard for the bowlers to find an area to bowl. Maxwell averages just 26.4 in 124 IPL matches but has an incredible strike rate of 157.62.
3. Sunil Narine (159.69)
/sky247-english/media/post_attachments/2ef0210e-ed9.png "publive-image")
Sunil Narine is not just one of the best spinners, but also an impactful T20 batter. Perhaps the cricketer himself realised this fact while playing for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL. Narine was given the role of the all-rounder by the franchise and was assigned to bat down the order and sometimes open the innings. There was never pressure for Narine the batter, so he used to swing his bat against any world-class bowlers. As a result, the Windies left-hander has scored 1046 runs in 162 IPL matches at a strike rate of 159.69.
2. Liam Livingstone (165.6)
/sky247-english/media/post_attachments/666e62fb-556.png "publive-image")
The English all-rounder has only played 32 IPL matches but has already proved how devastating he can be. With a strike rate of 165.6, Livingstone has amassed 828 runs in the cash-rich league. He is currently part of PBKS.
1. Andre Russell (174)
/sky247-english/media/post_attachments/4de94b18-16e.png "publive-image")
No wonder Caribbean storm Andre Russell tops the list. The all-rounder has spent most of his IPL career with KKR and has been delivering what they expect from him. With a strike rate of 174 in 112 IPL matches, Russell is undoubtedly a nightmare for opponents. Russell in full flow is very hard to stop and he can singlehandedly take the game away from his opposition.