Sanju Samson has effortlessly made his way to the list of the most consistent players at the No. 3 position in IPL history. He’s a Rajasthan Royals player mostly, but he has been the very definition of an anchor.
Samson has not only amassed a good amount of runs at No. 3 but also traced his name at the very top 5 of the elite list.
On this point, a deep dive into the highest run-scorers No. 3 slots in IPL history is below with the top five.
Most Runs At Number 3 in IPL
5. Manish Pandey – 1942 runs
Manish Pandey, one of the IPL’s earliest Indian century-makers, has somehow sneaked in to bag a commendable record at No. 3. Pandey, being slow and calm, used to bat in the most difficult situations and was thus highly appropriate for the top order. One might say he has not been too flashy like some others on this list, but still, his 14 half-centuries do confirm his worth as a stable top-order batter who has played for different teams.
4. AB de Villiers – 2188 runs
AB de Villiers is a man who could send the ball wherever he wanted. Even though he was a universal player, his record at 3 is astonishing. The African hero hit 3 tons and 18 fifties while boosting his runs in a “wife-like” manner at a scorching strike rate of 154.
Whether it was scooping the yorkers for sixes or punishing the spinners over extra cover, ABD had made batting a piece of cake. In fact, not many could compare his creativity and strength.
3. Virat Kohli – 2815 runs
Before taking over as RCB’s opening batsman, Virat Kohli monopolized the No. 3 spot. With the utmost intensity and selective sure-fire methods, Kohli’s middle-order batting was the key factor for many successful RCB chases.
Kohli at No. 3, composed, with his 20 fifties and several match-winning partnerships, was indeed instrumental during RCB’s golden period. Kohli’s ability to rotate the strike and then accelerate late in the innings has made him one of the hardest hitters to bowl to in the IPl.
2. Sanju Samson – 3096 runs
From the very beginning, Sanju Samson was a youngster who played without fear and slowly transformed into an absolute master of the IPL. Featuring mainly at the No.3 position in the batting order for the Rajasthan Royals, the batsman was able to combine power and elegance and perform the dual role of an anchoring and finishing batsman.
His 3 centuries and 20 half-centuries are evidence of his capability to overpower the bowlers irrespective of the pitch and weather. Moreover, the player has an outstanding strike rate of 143 which is a major reason behind him being the mainstay of the Rajasthan Royals’ batting line-up and still taking steps to break Raina’s long-time record.
1. Suresh Raina – 4934 runs
Suresh Raina is the man behind the phrase Mr. IPL. The left-handed stylist was the winner of the league for more than a decade and the main run-scorer for the CSK team playing in the 3 position. Despite his total of 4934 runs and 37 fifties, Raina remains the undisputed king for this one-down slot.
The player’s smooth batting style, lightning-fast running, and ability to score points even under pressure were the traits that made him one of the most trusted batsmen in IPL history. An astronomical score of 100 not out is just a sign of his talent and consistency.
