Since its inaugural season in 2008, IPL has become India’s premier sporting event, with a valuation of $15.4 billion. It has taken several star performers to make the Indian Premier League the biggest league in the world. But who is IPL Baap according to ICC ranking? While the competition has played host to superstars from around the globe, some legendary Indian cricketers have shined brightly in IPL history.
Among the many legends, one stands tall as the true godfather. So, let’s find out who is the Baap of cricket among legends and relatively new Indian players who have the potential to become one in the next IPL 2025 season, which is expected to take place next year between March-May, 2025.
Table of Contents
Virat Kohli – Baap of Batting
The run-machine of IPL, Virat Kohli, is a Baap of IPL among batsmen. He is head and shoulders above all batsmen in the competition’s history. He is another father of the IPL team in India. We will let the numbers do the talking. With eight centuries, Kohli has scored 8,004 runs in 252 matches, at an average of 61.75! He has also contributed with the bat in three IPL final matches.
A consistent presence in the Royal Challengers Bangalore set-up since 2008, Kohli has batted at various spots for the franchise, including opening the innings. With a 741-run lead over second-placed Dhawan, Kohli is comfortably on top of the all-time run-scorers list. And even if he gets displaced from the top spot, King Kohli’s one feat will stay untouchable. In 2016, the former India captain broke the IPL record for most runs in a season with 973!
MS Dhoni – Baap of IPL
What can we say about another Baap of cricket IPL MS Dhoni? The Baap of the IPL team in India (with all due respect to Sachin Tendulkar), MS Dhoni, has been the backbone of the consistently successful Chennai Super Kings. Under his leadership, the Chennai Super Kings won the IPL trophy four times (in four IPL championships in 2010, 2011, 2018, and 2021) and reached the playoff and IPL finals 11 and 9 times, respectively. Chennai Super Kings also won the 2023 IPL trophy under the leadership of the new successful captain, but it is hard to overestimate MS Dhoni’s contribution to the team’s success.
MS Dhoni’s Performance in IPL from 2008 to 2024
| Year | Runs | Average |
| 2008 | 414 | 41.40 |
| 2009 | 332 | 41.50 |
| 2010 | 287 | 31.88 |
| 2011 | 392 | 43.55 |
| 2012 | 258 | 29.83 |
| 2013 | 461 | 41.90 |
| 2014 | 371 | 74.20 |
| 2015 | 372 | 31.00 |
| 2016 | 284 | 40.57 |
| 2017 | 290 | 26.36 |
| 2018 | 455 | 75.83 |
| 2019 | 416 | 83.20 |
| 2020 | 200 | 25.00 |
| 2021 | 114 | 16.28 |
| 2022 | 232 | 33.14 |
| 2023 | 104 | 34.67 |
| 2024 | 161 | 53.66 |
Maybe MS Dhoni is the IPL’s godfather? While ‘Captain Cool’ has long been celebrated, MS Dhoni, the batsman, also deserves all the praise. He is sixth on the list of highest run-scorers; his 5,243 runs have averaged between 16.28 and 83.20. So who is the godfather of IPL, if not him? And while he is generally ignored when it comes to IPL’s most successful batsman, it is essential to remember that MS Dhoni bats in the lower order and still has the numbers to back it up. The ‘Thalaiva’ is not the captain of Chennai Super Kings anymore, but MS Dhoni’s status as the godfather or Baap of IPL throughout IPL history is permanent.
Shikhar Dhawan – Baap of Consistency and Father of IPL Teams
Shikhar Dhawan can be called the Bapp of IPL in terms of Consistency. The second-highest run-getter in the history of IPL, Shikhar Dhawan has been a constant presence in the Indian Premier League since the beginning. The beloved ‘Gabbar’ has played for five IPL teams and succeeded in all of them. On the all-time list, Dhawan has scored more runs than superstars such as Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, and Rohit Sharma and is only behind the impressive record of Virat Kohli in the IPL.
Scoring one century in a T20 is tough. In the 2020 IPL season, Dhawan became the only player to score back-to-back centuries. With 6,769 runs to his name, the 38-year-old has been IPL’s Mr. Consistent. He has scored 152 runs in the IPL 2024. In his IPL career, Shikhar Dhawan has smashed 768 fours and 152 sixes.
Jasprit Bumrah – Baap of Bowling
Jasprit Bumrah is the Baap of IPL if we talk about bowling skills. Be it the blue jersey of India or Mumbai Indians, Jasprit Bumrah leads the attack with gusto. Though he is 9th on the list of most wickets in IPL, there’s a reason ‘Boom Boom Bumrah’ has won 5 IPL titles with Mumbai Indians (they got the first title in the sixth IPL season). Lethal upfront with his zip, seam, and swing, Bumrah is equally devastating in the death overs with his yorkers and slower ones.
Bumrah’s 165 Wickets (In 133 IPL innings) have come at a strike rate of 18.50, which means he strikes every three overs. And when he’s not picking up wickets, he restricts the batsman with his incredible pace and control. There’s a reason Bumrah as the best batsman, was given the India vice-captain role earlier this year. He is also one of the fastest bowlers in the world.
Rohit Sharma – Baap of IPL Captains
Rohit Sharma earned the Baap of the IPL title as a captain, having led Mumbai Indians from 2013 to 2023. He was replaced by Hardik Pandya in the latest 2024 season. The leader of the most successful among IPL teams, Rohit, has led Mumbai Indians to the IPL trophy five times! His success in franchise cricket also promoted him to Indian cricket team captain in Test and ODI formats. And if his leadership and IPL titles aren’t enough, the Hitman is known to shred bowling attacks.
Third in the all-time run-scorers list, Rohit Sharma’s 6,628 runs have come at an average of 29.72. Remember that he scored the runs while opening the batting, setting the tone for the rest of the team. One of the true godfathers of IPL, Rohit (Mumbai Indians), is in a league of his own.
Surya Kumar Yadav – Baap of Innovative Strokeplay
Suryakumar Yadav, also known as SKY, is currently the Number One ranked player in T20 Internationals with a total of 1073 points to his name. He is only the third Mumbai Indians player who has scored more than 300 runs (345 to be precise), in a single IPL season (2024). He achieved this feat at an astounding average of 34.50 runs and a superb strike rate of above 160.
All in all, he scored one century, 102 (not out) and three half-centuries in IPL 2024. His century came in an all-important match, Playoff against IPL 2016 champions Sunrisers Hyderabad. Scoring consistently for the MI for the past 6 seasons, he is also known as Mr. 360 for his ability to hit boundaries at will in all directions of the ground. So, SKY is definitely one of the top contenders for the Baap of IPL (Innovative Strokeplay) in the making.
Shubman Gill – Baap of Consistent Openers
Touted to be the next big thing in Indian cricket by legends like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill rose up the ranks quite quickly for his age, 24 years. From serving as vice-captain and bringing the 2018 Under 19 World Cup home to becoming India’s top choice for the opening spot, his cricketing journey suggests that he is, in fact, the next Big Thing.
Apart from playing consistently across all formats for Team India, his IPL career has been on the rise since his debut for KKR in 2018. Though he has seen some ups and downs in his short stint of 6 seasons in the IPL, he proved that he has the mettle to come back strongly by scoring (426 runs) in the IPL 2024 season. With a batting average of 38.73 coupled with an astounding strike rate of 147.40, he was named the 2024 IPL Most Valuable Player for Gujarat Tigers. With age by his side and the exceptional talent that he has, Gill is undoubtedly the Baap of IPL (Consistent Openers) in the making.
Yuzvendra Chahal — Baap of Leg Spin Bowling
Known for his 34-wicket knock in the National Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy in 2009, Yuzvendra Chahal is a 34-year-old leg spin bowler from Haryana. He is a former chess player and has also represented Team India at junior levels and Champions League T20. His bowling attack is a smart mix of flight, spin, dip, and guile.
With his debut in 2013 in IPL, he has played for MI and RCB, before playing for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2024. He is the top bowler to date in the IPL, having played 160 IPL matches and taken the maximum 205-wicket haul at an economy of 7.84.
In the 2022 IPL, he won the Purple cap for the best bowler and led RCB to the finals against Gujarat Titans, being the leading wicket-taker with 27 wickets. He is undoubtedly a strong contender for the Baap of IPL title for leg spin bowling.
Suresh Raina — Baap of All-Rounders
With good reflexes on the field, an astounding batting record, and a decent bowling performance that snips wickets at the right time, Suresh Raina is the master of his art. He is blessed with the ability to perform well under pressure and lead his team to the finishing line.
Though he did not play in the recently-concluded 2024 IPL season, he had been a consistent performer for Chennai Super Kings since the inauguration of IPL which won four IPL trophies with him in the squad and were runners up in another five. However, he retired from IPL in 2022 and also missed the 2020 season. He played 205 IPL matches and scored a total of 5528 runs with a strike rate of 136.76, more than that of Virat Kohli.
Chris Gayle — Baap of Flamboyant Performance
Christopher Henry Gayle, the West-Indian cricketer brought utter madness to cricket in the T20 cricket format. He scored the first-ever century in T20 cricket format against South Africa in 200. He also performs with the ball and is a right-arm off-spinner.
He played for Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Punjab Kings since 2009 and concluded his IPL journey in 2021. He was the highest run scorer with 4695 runs and holds the record for the highest not-out score of 175 and a strike rate of 148.96, the second highest among batsmen who scored more than 4000 runs. He is the only player in IPL with 357 6s to his name and has earned back-to-back orange caps in the 2011 and 2012 seasons.
The Baap of Cricket – Ranking
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During its 17-year reign, the Indian Premier League and its superstars have become household names. The true cricket ‘Deewane’ knows who is the new god of cricket and who is the king of cricket IPL captains. But what about the overall father of IPL 2024?
The Baap of cricket in the world has to be a player with sensational figures and success. He has to be part of a successful team. He also has to be someone with a stature befitting the moniker, who has become more significant than the game itself. It has to be a ‘Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi’. So, let’s find out who that superstar is, the god of IPL.
Conclusion
Now you know the answer to who is baap of IPL. The Indian Premier League is succeeding thanks to the roster of superstars. The aforementioned players won matches, moments, and hearts when representing India. And when it came to the IPL, they gave their franchises an identity and a leader to root for.
Imagine an IPL 2025 without Jasprit Bumrah steaming in, sending down a perfect yorker or a sizzling bouncer. Without Shikhar Dhawan consistently getting his team to a rollicking start. Without a Rohit Sharma signature pull shot or a Virat Kohli cover drive. And, of course, without Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s calmness behind, or in front of, the stumps.
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FAQ
Who is the Baap of the IPL?
The only name that delivers the answer is Virat Kohli. He is definitely the Baap of IPL regarding runs scored.
Who is Baap of cricket?
Rohit Sharma is to claim the tag of baap of cricket world. After all, he is the leader of the most successful team in the history of the Indian Premier League.
Who is the best Baap IPL?
Virat Kohli’s stats show that he is the best Bap of IPL. He has worked hard over the years to become the tournament’s most dominant run machine. Accept it! Who is the Baap of IPL? The tally’s leader is Virat Kohli, above all batsmen in the competition’s history.
Who is father of IPL?
Lalit Kumar Modi is considered the IPL godfather as he founded the IPL in 2008. Late Shane Warne, Anil Kumble, and Sourab Ganguly deserve a spot on the list of fathers of the Indian Premier League as well.
Who is the IPL best team?
Looking at the total points table, Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Readers tie with 160 points and may be considered the best team in IPL history.
Who is the father of IPL teams?
Many people refer to MS Dhoni as the father of IPL teams. The distinction of participating in most IPL finals belongs to this strongman.