In the Indian Premier League, the top order often gets the spotlight. But when it comes to consistent match-winners, middle-order batters have shown just as much brilliance. The record for the Most Runs by Non Openers in an IPL Season reveals how players outside the opening duo have changed the course of matches with their batting. These batsmen not only supported their teams in critical moments but also became the backbone of their batting line-ups.
Let’s look at the five players with the Most Runs by Non Openers in an IPL Season, showing how the middle order has produced some of the finest and most impactful innings in IPL history.
List of 5 Most Runs by Non Openers in an IPL Season
5. Suryakumar Yadav – 605 Runs (2023)
Suryakumar Yadav made a powerful statement in IPL 2023 with the Mumbai Indians. Despite not opening, he scored a massive 605 runs in just 16 matches. His batting position ranged between No. 3 and No. 5, making his achievements even more impressive. One of his standout performances was his century against Gujarat Titans, which solidified his status as one of the most dependable middle-order batters in the tournament.
This performance made him one of the few players to record the Most Runs by Non Openers in an IPL Season. He surpassed legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Quinton de Kock in Mumbai Indians’ history by becoming the only MI player with 500+ runs in three different seasons.
| Matches | Runs | 50s | 100s | Average |
| 16 | 605 | 5 | 1 | 43.21 |
The 2023 season added Suryakumar’s name to the elite list of players with the Most Runs by Non Openers in an IPL Season, reminding fans of the value of a reliable middle-order presence.
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4. Kane Williamson – 622 Runs (2018)
Kane Williamson was not just a captain but also the batting anchor for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2018. Coming in mostly at No. 3, he crafted 622 runs in 14 matches, leading SRH to the final. His calm presence and ability to control the innings made him a standout performer that year.
Williamson’s 2018 season was one of the finest examples of the Most Runs by Non Openers in an IPL Season, especially considering he wasn’t known for big-hitting but for controlled, tactical play. Despite not having a single century that year, his eight fifties highlight his consistency.
| Matches | Runs | 50s | 100s | Average |
| 14 | 622 | 8 | 0 | 52.00 |
This performance reinforced his reputation and became a prime example of how the Most Runs by Non Openers in an IPL Season can be achieved through smart cricket rather than just power-hitting.
3. Rishabh Pant – 684 Runs (2018)
Delhi Capitals’ explosive wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant had a breakthrough season in 2018. Playing as a middle-order aggressor, Pant scored 684 runs in just 14 matches. His fearless approach, combined with his ability to clear boundaries, helped him become one of the top players with the Most Runs by Non Openers in an IPL Season.
His unbeaten 128* against Sunrisers Hyderabad is still considered one of the most powerful innings by a non-opener. That season, Pant scored runs at a strike rate of over 170, which is rare for players in the No. 4 or 5 slot.
| Matches | Runs | 50s | 100s | Average |
| 14 | 684 | 5 | 1 | 52.61 |
Pant’s attacking approach proved that even young players can top the chart of Most Runs by Non Openers in an IPL Season, changing the mindset around middle-order batsmen.
2. AB de Villiers – 687 Runs (2016)
Known as “Mr. 360,” AB de Villiers had one of his best IPL seasons in 2016 for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Coming in the middle order, he smashed 687 runs in 16 games. His partnership with Virat Kohli, especially during the record-breaking 229-run stand, was one of the season’s highlights.
His ability to dominate bowlers at any stage made him a perfect fit for achieving the Most Runs by Non Openers in an IPL Season. De Villiers struck at nearly 169 and averaged over 52, which shows how dependable and dangerous he was.
| Matches | Runs | 50s | 100s | Average |
| 16 | 687 | 6 | 1 | 52.84 |
His 2016 season remains one of the benchmarks for players aiming to be listed in the Most Runs by Non Openers in an IPL Season, especially for foreign players in the IPL.
1. Suryakumar Yadav – 717 Runs (2025)
Suryakumar Yadav again proved his dominance in IPL 2025 by becoming the highest-scoring non-opener in IPL history. This time, he went a step further, scoring 717 runs in 16 matches for Mumbai Indians. His position remained within the middle-order, and yet he showed extraordinary consistency and shot selection.
He averaged 61.00 with five fifties and a strike rate of 167.83, breaking AB de Villiers’ record for the Most Runs by Non Openers in an IPL Season. No other batter has crossed the 700-run mark in a single season without being an opener, making this a historic feat.
| Matches | Runs | 50s | 100s | Average |
| 16 | 717 | 5 | 0 | 61.00 |
This record-setting season has now become the new benchmark for the Most Runs by Non Openers in an IPL Season, showcasing how dominant Suryakumar has become in the middle order.
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