There is no official “baap of IPL” or confirmed answer to who is father of IPL, as the title is based entirely on fan opinion rather than any formal recognition. In cricket discussions, “baap of IPL” is used to describe the most dominant and influential player in the league’s history.
From icons like Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni to modern stars, the debate continues across generations.
This guide explains what the term means, ranks the top contenders in 2026, and breaks down who truly stands out based on performance, legacy, and impact.
Table of Contents
Baap of IPL: Complete List [Updated]
|
Player |
Known As (Baap Of) |
|
Virat Kohli |
Baap of Batting |
| MS Dhoni |
Baap of IPL (Leadership) |
|
Rohit Sharma |
Baap of Captains |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar |
Baap of Swing Bowling |
|
Shikhar Dhawan |
Baap of Consistency |
| Vaibhav Sooryavanshi |
Baap of All IPL Openers |
|
Shubman Gill |
Future Baap of IPL |
| Yuzvendra Chahal |
Baap of Leg Spin |
|
Chris Gayle |
Baap of Power Hitting |
| Suresh Raina |
Mr. Baap of IPL |
What is Meant by Baap in IPL?
In the IPL, “baap” is a slang term. The fans of the game use it to describe the most dominant or respected figure on a team or in the league. It’s not an official title or anything. Rather, the baap of IPL/father of IPL is just a nickname that fans use when they want to acknowledge a player. It can be his batting, bowling, captaincy, or huge legacy.
The word “baap” literally means “father.” But in cricket it’s a bit more than that. It’s more like a symbol for being the master of your craft, the best of the best. So, the baap of IPL is the godfather of cricket in IPL.
- It usually refers to a legendary player or a really good leader.
- It can also refer to someone who’s been dominating the league for a very long time or has a huge impact on the game.
IPL ka baap kaun hai? There are many. Examples include Dhoni. He is the “Baap of IPL.” The next is Kohli. He is the current gen god father of cricket and the “Baap of RCB.” All these are just down to what the fans think and feel about the player – no more, no less.
Virat Kohli – Baap of Batting
Virat Kohli (International: India national cricket team and IPL: RCB) is the 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 nine centuries, Kohli has scored 9336 runs in 275 innings, at an average of 40.41. Kohli holds the record for the most runs scored in a single season (973 runs in 2016). He has scored 630+ in his past 4 seasons, which is the most by any player. Plus, Virat is the only player to have 9 500+ runs seasons. He has also contributed with the bat in three IPL final matches. In 2026, he was named the Player of the Match in the final against GT.
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 2000+ run lead over second-placed Rohit Sharma, 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!
Who is Baap of RCB?
Virat Kohli is considered the “Baap of RCB” because he’s been an on-field leader for RCB for so long, has some seriously impressive batting stats, and is a genuine icon within the franchise. He’s been the face of Royal Challengers Bengaluru pretty much from the start and is still their most celebrated and influential player, no matter what the scoreboard says.
Kohli holds just about every single major batting record for RCB:
- Top run-scorer in franchise history.
- Holds the record for most runs scored in a single IPL season (he smashed 973 in 2016).
- Everyone knows him as the man behind RCB’s branding and fan following.
- He’s been a key part of the team’s identity for over a decade now. His consistency, along with his star power, makes him the undisputed “Baap of RCB.”
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 2026
| 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 |
| 2025 | 196 | 24.50 |
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 5,439 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.
Who is Baap of the IPL in 2026?
MS Dhoni is widely known as the “Baap of the IPL Captain” thanks to his incredible leadership skills, awesome consistency and the amazing success he brought to Chennai Super Kings. People have a lot of respect for him because of all the titles he’s won with CSK, the number of times they’ve played off in the playoffs, and the huge following they have – all of which makes him the most influential figure in IPL history.
Dhoni’s got a track record of keeping a level head under pressure, always managing to score when it really matters, and delivering results for CSK, which is what makes him the face of excellence in the IPL.
Key points:
- Took CSK to five IPL titles (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and then they won again in 2023).
- Has one of the highest success rates in getting them through to the playoffs.
- Has this knack of turning young players into top players.
- He’s got one of the biggest fan bases across India – and it’s no surprise he’s the natural choice for the “Baap of IPL” nickname.
Rohit Sharma – Baap of IPL Captains
Ask any Mumbiker, “IPL cha baap kon ahe?” They will answer Rohit Bhau! 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 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.
Second in the all-time run-scorers list, Rohit Sharma’s 7,329 runs have come at an average of 29.91. 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.
Fun Fact: After leading RCB to consecutive IPL titles, Rajat Patidar has been buzzing as a new contender for the title of the “father of IPL captaincy.” Although he is far from reaching the five-title legacy left behind by Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni, experts believe that if Patidar continues to get the resources and support he received in 2025 and 2026, he could become one of the all-time IPL greats.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar – Baap of Swing Bowling
Who is baap of IPL among bowlers? In today’s time, the answer is simple: Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Bhuvi is the Baap of IPL if we talk about swing bowling skills. Be it in the powerplay, middle overs or death overs, Bhuvneshwar Kumar leads the attack with gusto. He is 2nd on the list of most wickets in the IPL and first among pacers. Bhuvi has won the Purple Cap twice (2016 & 2017 with SRH). He missed the purple cap in 2026 by just 1 wicket.
Bhuvi’s 226 wickets (In 2026 IPL innings) have come at an economy of under 8. Considering that he bowls 2 or 3 overs in the powerplay, the numbers are top class. He restricts the batsman with his incredible swing bowling and variations. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is one of the main factors behind RCB’s trophy triumph in 2025 and 2026.
Shikhar Dhawan – Baap of Consistency and Father of IPL Teams
For many fans, the answer to “Who is the baap of IPL” is Gabbar. Shikhar Dhawan can be called the Bapp of IPL in terms of Consistency. The third-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 David Warner, and is only behind the impressive records of Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma 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 39-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.
Did You Know? GT’s Sai Sudarshan has emerged as the new father of cricket in IPL in terms of consistent performance. In 2023, he scored 362 runs, and in 2024, he scored 527 runs. Then, in 2025 and 2026, Sai scored 700+ runs.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi – Baap of IPL Openers
Born on March 27, 2011, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi deserves the “Baap of IPL Openers” tag. He pulled off the most statistically explosive power-hitting season in T20 history during the IPL 2026 campaign. Playing as a 15-year-old opener, Sooryavanshi ran away with the Orange Cap and MVP honours. That is some feat.
Vaibhav scored 776 runs across 16 matches at an unbelievable strike rate of 237.31. Plus, he maintained an average of 48.50 till Qualifier 2. Sooryavanshi smashed a world record 72 sixes in a single tournament. He surpassed Chris Gayle’s legendary 2012 record of 59. He also became the fastest player in history to reach 1,000 IPL career runs.
A definite prodigy! If Vaibhav continues this way, soon he will become the only answer to “Who is IPL baap?”
Shubman Gill – Future Baap of IPL
Touted to be the next big thing in Indian cricket by legends like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill is one of the most fitting contenders for the title “future baap of the IPL.” The current captain of the senior national team is leading Gujarat in the IPL with flair.
Gill’s 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 8 IPL seasons, he is already 16th in the ranking of highest run-getters. In 2026, Gill finished as the second-highest run scorer. He scored 732 runs at an average of 45.75 and led GT to the finals.
With age by his side and the exceptional talent that he has, Gill is undoubtedly the Baap of IPL 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 35-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 174 IPL matches and taken the maximum 221-wicket haul at an economy of 7.96.
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 2025 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 18-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 2026?
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 2027 without Bhuvi steaming in, sending down a perfect in swinger. Without Vaibhav hitting sizes from ball one. Without a Rohit Sharma signature pull shot or a Virat Kohli cover drive.
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FAQ
When is the IPL 2026 first match?
The IPL 2027 schedule is not officially out yet. But we think the first of the 20th edition will take place in the second week of March.
Who is the godfather of cricket IPL?
Virat Kohli is the godfather of cricket in the IPL. He is the top run scorer. Other popular choices for the godfather of IPL are MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzi Chahal, and Chris Gayle.
What are the awards won by MS Dhoni?
MS Dhoni has won many major awards. These include the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (2008), Padma Shri (2009), and Padma Bhushan (2018). He also won ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year twice and was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2025.
Who is considered the Baap of the IPL?
MS Dhoni is often regarded as the Baap of the IPL, thanks to the impact he’s had on the league – through his leadership, his consistency and the successful run of the Chennai Super Kings, including a string of championships and playoff appearances.
Who’s known as the Baap of RCB?
Virat Kohli is commonly called the Baap of RCB because of his years of association with the franchise, his record-breaking batting feats and the fact he’s still the team’s most iconic and influential player.
What does “Baap” mean in IPL jargon?
In IPL lingo, “baap” means the player who’s the most respected or dominant within a team or the league. It’s a nickname fans have come up with to reflect the player’s leadership, performance or status as a league legend.
Who do fans refer to as the “Baba of the IPL”?
Some fans are fond of describing MS Dhoni as the ‘Baba of the IPL’ due to his calm and collected nature, and the fact he’s one of the most senior and respected names in the league – though this term isn’t as widely used as “Baap of the IPL”.
Who is the real godfather of the IPL?
MS Dhoni is still widely regarded as the godfather of the IPL, thanks to his incredible leadership record, the brains behind his on-field tactical decisions and the fact that CSK under his captaincy has been pretty much unstoppable.
Who is better in the IPL – Dhoni or Virat Kohli?
Dhoni and Kohli are the best in the world in their own ways. Dhoni stands out as a leader and a finisher, leading CSK to multiple championships. Kohli, on the other hand, is one of the greatest IPL batsmen ever, holding all sorts of scoring records. It’s a tough call, but Dhoni has the edge in terms of team success & Kohli has the edge in terms of pure batting statistics.
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?
Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians are the best IPL teams ever. But in recent times, RCB has been the top performing team. They have won the title in 2025 and 2026.
Who is the father of IPL team?
Many people refer to MS Dhoni as the father of IPL teams. The distinction of participating in most IPL finals belongs to this strongman.