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Highest strike rate in IPL 2023: Award frontrunners and predictions

Who has the highest strike rate in IPL 2023? As we head into the make or break moments of the playoffs this season, it's a question that more and more fans are paying attention to.

Known for its exhilarating cricketing action, the IPL has always been a platform for batters to showcase their explosive stroke play and dominance over the opposition. With each passing season, the quest for the highest strike rate becomes a thrilling contest among power hitters, captivating fans worldwide.

Since its inception in 2018, the Electric Striker of the Season Award has become a highly sought-after accolade in the exciting world of the Indian Premier League. This prestigious award recognizes the batter who has the highest strike rate while facing a minimum of 100 balls in a season.

As IPL 2023 comes to an end, cricket enthusiasts eagerly await to witness jaw-dropping batting performances and potential record-breaking moments. We have some extraordinary players in the highest strike rate in IPL 2023 list.

Highest strike rate in IPL 2023
Photo by Icon Sports

In this article, we dive deep into the realm of run-scoring dynamism, exploring the top contenders vying for the coveted Electric Striker of the Season Award.

Additionally, we present a glimpse into the history of this award, revisiting past winners who left their indelible mark on the league. Join us as we analyze the numbers, assess player capabilities, and venture into predictions for IPL 2023's highest strike rate chart.

Brace yourselves for an electrifying journey through the realm of boundary-clearing brilliance!

READ: Where to watch IPL 2023? 

Top 10 players with the highest strike rates in IPL 2023

Sl.No Batter Matches Inns Runs Avg Strike-rate
1 Rashid Khan 15 7 125 41.67 223.21
2 MS Dhoni 15 11 104 34.67 185.71
3 Suryakumar Yadav 15 15 544 41.85 183.78
4 Glenn Maxwell 14 14 400 33.33 183.49
5 Heinrich Klaasen 12 11 448 49.78 177.08
6 Nicholas Pooran 15 15 358 29.83 172.95
7 Dhruv Jurel 13 11 152 21.71 172.73
8 Ajinkya Rahane 13 10 299 33.22 169.89
9 Shahrukh Khan 14 13 156 22.29 165.96
10 Krishnappa Gowtham 7 7 61 15.25 164.86

*Stats as of May 26, 2023

With plenty of big numbers in the top 10 strikers of the IPL 2023, who's most likely to take out the award for the highest strike rate in IPL 2023? Below, we analyse the top five contenders.

Top 5 contenders for the highest strike rate in IPL 2023

1. Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane has experienced a resurgence this season, bouncing back from a series of quiet performances in recent years. He had been a consistently reliable run-scorer in the league, surpassing 300 runs in each season from 2012 to 2019.

However, in 2020, Rahane had a subdued stint with the Delhi Capitals, managing just over 130 runs in seven games. His appearances were further limited to only two games in 2021, leading him to enter the auction pool in 2022.

Kolkata Knight Riders secured Rahane's services in the mega auction, acquiring him for his base price of INR 1 crore. Unfortunately, his time with KKR was cut short due to a hamstring injury after featuring in seven matches.

In 2023, Rahane found a new home with the Chennai Super Kings, who purchased him for INR 50 lakh. Representing the four-time champions, Rahane has already participated in 11 games, amassing 282 runs at an impressive strike rate of 169.88.

Notably, this season marks the first time Rahane has maintained a strike rate exceeding 140 despite being part of the tournament since its inception.

2. Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan's performance with the bat in the IPL 2023 has been nothing short of remarkable. He has emerged as the player with the best batting strike-rate in the tournament as we get to the back-end of it. His ability to accelerate the innings and provide quick runs has made him a valuable asset for his team, and he has played some crucial knocks throughout the season.

One of Rashid Khan's most memorable innings came in the Qualifier 1 match against CSK in Chennai. The match was a high-stakes encounter, and Khan rose to the occasion with his power-hitting skills, nearly helping Gujarat over the line with a remarkable knock on a sluggish wicket. Coming in at a crucial moment, he unleashed an onslaught on the CSK bowlers, smashing boundaries and clearing the ropes with ease. His fearless approach and clean striking of the ball stunned the opposition but he couldn't sustain it longer as CSK emerged victorious. He also made a rollicking 79* off just 32 balls, the highest score ever by a No.8 batter in the league, against Mumbai Indians.

3. Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav has emerged as the top run-scorer for the Mumbai Indians this season, amassing an impressive 544 runs in 15 games at an average of 41.85 and a phenomenal strike rate of 183.78.

Remarkably, he boasts the highest strike rate among all batters who have faced over 100 deliveries this season. Although Suryakumar faced some initial challenges, experiencing three single-digit scores in his first five appearances, he regained his form in the 31st game against the Punjab Kings, smashing 57 runs off a mere 26 deliveries.

Since that remarkable performance, he has secured three half-centuries and even achieved his maiden century. Notably, this marks the first time that Suryakumar has maintained a strike rate exceeding 150 since his IPL debut in 2012. His most remarkable season to date was during the 2018 campaign, where he accumulated 512 runs in 14 matches, averaging 36.57 with a strike rate of 133.33.

Now, he has an incredible opportunity to surpass this record and establish new heights during the current season. He is near the top in the IPL 2023 highest strike rate list.

Tiago.ev Electric Striker of the Season Award
Photo by Icon Sports

Who will win the Highest Strike Rate in IPL 2023 Award?

Suryakumar Yadav has been enjoying the best form of his career since 2022, solidifying his position as one of the premier batters in the game.

He currently holds the coveted top spot in the ICC rankings, a testament to his exceptional performances. Standing as the sole Indian batter to surpass the 2000-run mark in T20s since 2022, Suryakumar has undoubtedly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the shortest format of the game.

In the ongoing season, he has already taken the lead as the highest run-scorer for the Mumbai Indians, and it seems likely that he will retain this position till the end of the season.

 

Having amassed four half-centuries and a century this season, Suryakumar has surpassed his previous records, marking the first time he has achieved more than five scores of 50+ in the IPL since his debut.

Suryakumar Yadav's scintillating performances in the 2023 season of the IPL indicate that he is a strong contender to finish with the Tiago.ev Electric Striker of the Season Award.

Past Winners of the Highest Strike Rate Award in IPL History

In the initial years, the Caribbean players left an indelible mark on this category, dominating the charts with their breathtaking power-hitting prowess.

Over the years, Sunil Narine kicked off the streak by clinching the award in 2018, followed by Andre Russell in 2019, Kieron Pollard in 2020, and Shimron Hetmyer in 2021. 

Name Year Strike Rate
Dinesh Karthik 2022 183.33
Shimron Hetmyer 2021 168.05
Kieron Pollard 2020 191.42
Andre Russell 2019 204.81
Sunil Narine 2018 189.89
Chris Lynn 2017 180.98
Krunal Pandya 2016 191.12
Andre Russell 2015 192.89
Glenn Maxwell 2014 187.75
David Miller 2013 164.56
David Warner 2012 164.1
Chris Gayle 2011 183.13
Kieron Pollard 2010 185.71
Dwayne Smith 2009 162.87
Virender Sehwag 2008 184.54

However, the previous season witnessed a significant shift as Dinesh Karthik emerged as the winner. With a scintillating strike rate of 183.33, Karthik amassed an impressive total of 330 runs across 16 games, making him the first Indian player to claim this prestigious honor.

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