IPL Ka Badshah Kaun Hai? Digging Into The Reign of IPL’s Greatest Icons

Ask that question — “IPL ka badshah kaun hai?” — anywhere in India, and prepare for a debate. It won’t end quietly. Because the Indian Premier League, in its nearly two-decade-long history, has given us legends, cult heroes, and unstoppable records. But it has also given us loyalty. And in the IPL, being the king isn’t just about runs or titles. It’s about impact. About dominance. And about memory.

There’s no simple answer. Kohli fans scream numbers. Dhoni fans scream trophies. Rohit fans flash five-finger salutes for titles. And then there’s Gayle, the Universe Boss — who changed the game itself. To figure out who truly wears the crown, we need to dig deeper than the memes.

The Candidates for the IPL Crown

Over the years, a few names have stood head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to performance and legacy. Let’s look at five top contenders in the IPL ka badshah kaun hai debate:

Player	Team(s) Played For	Titles Won	Runs (as of 2025)	Major Records
MS Dhoni	CSK, RPS	5	5200+	Most matches as captain
Rohit Sharma	MI, DC	5	6200+	Most successful IPL captain (titles)
Virat Kohli	RCB	0	7500+	Most runs in IPL history
Chris Gayle	KKR, RCB, PBKS	0	4900+	Highest individual score (175*)
AB de Villiers	RCB	0	5100+	Most 360-degree shots

Every name here represents a different kind of royalty. Dhoni, the ruler of calm. Kohli, the warrior king. Rohit, the strategic emperor. Gayle, the party monarch. AB, the genius.

But who’s the real badshah?

Virat Kohli: The Statistical Emperor

Let’s not ignore the obvious. Kohli’s numbers are ridiculous. He’s not just the leading run scorer — he’s lapped the field. Over 7500 runs, 7 centuries, 50+ fifties, and that 973-run season in 2016 — a record that might stand forever.

But numbers aside, what makes Kohli a true contender for IPL ka badshah is how he’s carried RCB for years. No trophies, yes. But go to Chinnaswamy when Kohli walks out — you’ll feel the aura. He’s not just playing for a team. He is the team.

His impact transcends wins. He gave RCB identity. In a league full of short-term trades, Kohli has been RCB’s long-term soul. And that’s royalty.

MS Dhoni: The Trophy General

If Kohli is numbers, Dhoni is trophies. Pure, clean, five titles, two more finals, and a legacy that no franchise can touch. As captain, Dhoni has more playoff qualifications than some teams have wins. He’s the architect of CSK’s yellow cult — the reason every kid in Tamil Nadu wears “7” on their back.

His finishing? Iconic. His captaincy? Icy. And even in 2023, with grey in his beard and a knee brace on, he could still pull off a last-over six and walk off without blinking.

The craziest part? Dhoni might not have the most runs or sixes, but ask any fan — he defines IPL.

Rohit Sharma: Five Titles. Enough Said.

No one has lifted more trophies as captain than Rohit Sharma. Period. Five IPL titles with Mumbai Indians, often in seasons where they didn’t start strong. His calm, almost detached style works wonders under pressure.

He doesn’t get into many on-field arguments. Doesn’t celebrate like a maniac. But give him a final — and he wins it. Whether it’s his smart bowling changes, his cool batting under pressure, or just his knack for bringing the best out of his squad — Rohit built a dynasty in blue.

Some fans argue he’s the real IPL king — and they’ve got five reasons why.

Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers: The Kings Without Crowns

No title? Doesn’t matter. Because if cricket was a party, Gayle would still be the host. His 175* remains the most outrageous innings in IPL history. And when he got going, stadiums turned into concerts.

AB, meanwhile, wasn’t just a batter — he was a magician. Ramp shots, scoops, blind sweeps — no one knew what to expect. Bowlers feared him, fans adored him, and even Kohli admitted he was in awe.

They didn’t win trophies. But they changed how T20 cricket is played. And for that? Badshahs in their own right.

Career Batting Summary: IPL Kings by The Numbers

Player	Matches	Runs	100s	50s	Strike Rate	Best Score
Virat Kohli	240+	7500+	7	50+	130+	113
Rohit Sharma	240+	6200+	2	40+	130+	109*
MS Dhoni	250+	5200+	0	25+	135+	84*
Chris Gayle	140+	4900+	6	30+	150+	175*
AB de Villiers	170+	5100+	3	35+	150+	133*

Kohli dominates the runs. Gayle and AB lead the destruction. Rohit balances it all. Dhoni? He does everything quietly — but wins loudly.

Conclusion: IPL Ka Badshah Kaun Hai?

The answer is still ambiguous, and that’s the enticing part. If you value titles and legacy, it’s Dhoni. If you value calm under sustained dominance, then it’s Rohit. Kohli takes the prize if you go by strong loyalty and figures—numbers.

If one leans more towards love for showbiz and shock value, then Gayle and AB take the crown as your kings.

But, if we dig deeper, we will see that the IPL doesn’t have one badshah. There are many. Each is devoted to different types of cricketers and covers a different area in this cricketing realm.

And we are fortunate enough to have witnessed them all as fans.