IPL 2019: Batsmen who could reach 5000 runs landmark

T20 has always been batsmen's game. So, in this article, we will have a look at those batsmen who have a chance of completing 5000 runs mark, a feat which is yet to be achieved in IPL.

Hyderabad: As soon as India's five-match home One-Day-International series against Australia gets over the focus will be shifted to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019, one of the biggest cricketing extravaganzas of the world.

The glittering tournament is known for its quality and competitive cricketing action that played a vital role in changing the complexion of Indian cricket.

IPL is a platform where young talents get a chance to rub shoulders with their heroes, who never mind sharing their expertise and experience with agile youngsters. It will not be out of place to say that IPL plays a key role in grooming young cricketers.

Over the years, the franchise-based T20 league provided some of the unforgettable moments to its fans around the world. The list is quite long and mesmerizing. From Brendon McCullum’s swashbuckling 158 in the opening match of IPL to Chris Gayle's destructive 175 in 2013 to prolofic Virat Kohli's accumulation of record 973 runs in 2016, the batters have always found a way to entertain cricket fans with their stroke play.

Suresh Raina

Fondly known as “Mr. IPL”, Suresh Raina, is definitely one of the biggest stars of IPL. Raina is the leading run scorer in the history of the IPL. The southpaw, who now plies trade for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), only requires 15 runs to achieve the landmark of 5000 runs. Currently, Raina has 4985 runs in 172 innings. Though Raina is on the brink of achieving the record of the most runs in IPL, his poor form could be his main hurdle from making the season to his name, a thing he did smoothly when he was at his prime.

Virat Kohli

Though it will be quite easy for Raina to achieve the landmark as he needs only 15 runs, he will face tough competition from Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli, who has been in sensational form. Kohli will come to play IPL in the backdrop of sensational cricket that he played for India. The Indian 'run-machine' has already hit 41st ODI ton against Australia and became the fastest to accumulate 9000 runs across the formats as a captain.

The RCB talisman currently has 4948 runs to his name in 155 innings. With Kohli requires 52 runs to complete 5000 runs landmark, he could pip Raina and becomes the first cricketer to achieve the feat if Raina fails in the tournament opener of IPL 2019 when CSK will take on RCB in Chennai on March 23. Taking Kohli's blitzkrieg form into consideration it will not be an exaggeration to say that he has the potential to become the first batsman to achieve the feat.

Rohit Sharma

Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma is another big name in the list. Unlike, Raina and Kohli who are expected to achieve the feat in the tournament opener, Rohit will require some matches to complete the landmark.

The right-handed batsman is standing at the third position in the list with 4493 runs in 168 innings. Rohit, who will look to get his mojo back, is likely to make full use of IPL matches with the 2019 World Cup is just around the corner. If everything goes in his favour he is most likely to complete the feat as well in the forthcoming season.

Others who could complete the 5000 runs mark!

Apart from these three batsmen the list also features the name of Kolkata Knight Riders batsman Robin Uthappa (4129 runs), Team India and Delhi Capitals opener Shikhar Dhawan (4058 runs), wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni (4016 runs), David Warner (4014 runs), in-form Chris Gayle (3994 runs) and AB de Villiers (3953 runs), who now plies his trade in T20 leagues across the world after bidding adieu international cricket.

Recently, Uthappa made a return to professional cricket after recovering from an ankle injury while Delhi Capitals' Dhawan has not been in good form. Hence, their chances of featuring in the elite list of 5000 runs scorers in IPL look pale. At the same time, Sunrisers Hyderabad captain David Warner, who is set to return to IPL fold after missing the previous edition due to ban, and Chris Gayle of Kings XI Punjab will have a strong possibility of completing 5000 runs mark in IPL 2019.

On the other hand, it will be interesting to watch whether CSK skipper Dhoni and RCB talisman de Villiers will be able to complete the feat or not.