The Indian Premier League (IPL) has successfully completed 12 seasons, ever since its inception in 2008. Since then, the tournament has unquestionably come a long way, as there have also been ample records created. The records continue to grow bigger with each passing season.
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As the 13th edition begins this Saturday, further new records ought to be scripted, while some records are surely under the threat of being broken, as we take a look at some.
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Most appearances:There are a few players who continue to play to date since the inaugural edition. On the same note, three Indian players are on the verge of playing their 200th game in the tournament, which is: MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma.
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As of now, Raina leads the chart, having played 193 matches. However, his uncertainty regarding his participation this season is likely to allow Dhoni to eclipse him.
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5,000 runs by an overseas player:Some overseas players have had tremendous success in the IPL, despite the tough playing conditions in the sub-continent. One such player is Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) opener David Warner, who is on the cusp of scripting history, as he looks to become the first foreign player to reach the landmark of 5,000 IPL runs. He is currently just 294 runs away, and judging by the form he is in currently, he is certain to script the record by this season itself.
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Most purple cap holder:While Warner already holds the record of winning three orange caps (highest run-scorer for the season), the same could be the case for the purple cap (highest wicket-taker for the season) as well. As of now, SRH seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all-rounder Dwyane Bravo, are the only ones to have won the purple cap on two occasions.
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Winning it this season would certainly make either of them the most formidable bowler of the tournament. Also, judging by the current form, it is extremely difficult to predict who exactly is in the driver's seat, as both are strong favourites for the same.
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Most IPL centuries:Scoring a century in the shortest format of the game is a herculean task and deserves critical acclaim for doing so. As of now, Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) opener Chris Gayle holds the record of scoring the most tons in the tournament (6).
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However, just next to him is Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Virat Kohli, who has five to his name, and would certainly fancy himself to level the feat, or even break it, this season. Given the form he is in currently, he could certainly do the same, unless Gayle has some other intentions of pulling off some miracle innings and keeping the record to his name.
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6,000 IPL runs? Not just in terms of centuries, Kohli also has a chance to become the first player in the IPL to reach the 6,000 runs landmark. As of now, he has scored 5,412 runs. Although he is still considerably far away from the feat, provided he comes up with a crazy season this term, he could attain the feat in no time.
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Dhoni in danger of losing his reign?CSK skipper Dhoni is a holder of a number of records in his bag, including some behind the wicket. However, come this season, he could lose his spot. While he currently holds the record of most dismissals (133), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Dinesh Karthik is just a couple behind. Although both men are likely to go neck-on-neck throughout the season, Dhoni has a realistic chance that he could be surpassed by his former Indian counterpart.
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Lasith Malinga too could lose his spot: In the bowling department, Mumbai Indians (MI) pacer Lasith Malinga is the all-time highest wicket-taker in the tournament, with 170 scalps. However, his uncertainty over his participation in the tournament could compel him to squander his spot, as Delhi Capitals' (DC) Amit Mishra is next in line, who is just 13 behind the great feat. CSK's Harbhajan Singh too could be in the frame, as he is just 20 behind.
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