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5 batters to have never scored hundred in IPL history
The Indian Premier League is one of the most competitive leagues in the world. There is a huge talent pool and the best players in the world take part in the league. As a result, it is difficult for the players to perform in the league. Many players who have a good record in domestic cricket have failed to make a mark in the league. Given the fact that the best bowlers in the world take part in the tournament, it is difficult for the batters to perform.
The bowlers do not have an easy time either. Given the fact that the pitches are increasingly getting difficult to bat on, given the fact that the batters have become stronger and do not find it difficult to score boundaries due to thicker willows, and because the boundaries are shortened, the league has become favourable to the batters in a huge way. Hence, there are very few bowlers who have an edge over the batters in the league.
The competition among the batters and the bowlers is usually intense in the league. The bowlers who are of high quality, find their way to get rid of the batters. It means that the batters do not have it easy to play big knocks. Although many have hit hundreds for fun in the league, some big players have never been able to score a hundred in the history of the league till now.
Here are the five players who have not been able to score a hundred in the IPL till now:
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5. Glenn Maxwell
Five players who have not been able to score a hundred in the IPL till now (Source: X)
Glenn Maxwell is known for his terrific knocks in the IPL. The fact that the star batter scores quickfire knocks in a matter of few overs without wasting many balls makes him a threatening batter. It takes insane efforts to get rid of him. In the T20 cricket, he is one of the most aggressive batters.
However, Glenn has not been able to score a hundred in his IPL career till now. In the IPL 2014, Maxwell was at his prime and scored runs for fun. In the 7th edition of the league, Maxwell scored back-to-back nineties, which remain arguably his best performances in the league. Yet, a 3-digit score has eluded the Australian.
4. Kieron Pollard
Five players who have not been able to score a hundred in the IPL till now (Source: X)
Kieron Pollard is one such batter who can win matches on his own. When in flow, it is very difficult to stop him. In the fag end of the match, he can pull off sensational feats which cannot be achieved by many. Pollard played all his career for Mumbai Indians but could not score a hundred in the league.
It is understandable too. By the time Pollard gets to bat, there will not be as many balls left for him to get to a huge score. For the same reason, he could not have many scores over 70. The highest score of Pollard in the league was 87, which came in the winning cause against the archrivals CSK in 2021.
3. Faf Du Plessis
Five players who have not been able to score a hundred in the IPL till now (Source: X)
Faf Du Plessis is one such batter who played in different positions in his IPL career. The star batter was initially a middle-order batter for SA and in CSK. Since 2018, Faf has been opening innings for both CSK and RCB. Post-pandemic, Du Plessis has been highly accomplished as a batter. However, he has not been able to score a hundred till now.
The experienced batter has played for three franchises in the IPL till now. When CSK were banned in 2016 and 2017, Faf played for RPS. In the last two seasons, Faf has led RCB as a skipper. In the 2023 season, Faf was at his best where he scored over 700 runs at an average of over 55 and a SR of over 150.
2. Gautam Gambhir
Five players who have not been able to score a hundred in the IPL till now (Source: X)
Gautam Gambhir was unfortunate to miss out on a hundred on two occasions. The former KKR skipper scored the 90s two times in his career and could not convert either of them into a hundred. In both instances, Gambhir won the match for his side. He is one of the fewest players to have won multiple titles as a skipper.
Gambhir played mainly for KKR and Delhi Capitals. His legacy was in helping KKR to transform from a mediocre team to a team that has the second most number of titles. Under the leadership of Gautam, KKR reached new heights. However, Gambhir was unfortunate to never score a hundred in the IPL.
1. MS Dhoni
Five players who have not been able to score a hundred in the IPL till now (Source: X)
MS Dhoni was a lower middle-order batter in the IPL. There are not many instances where the batters get to post big scores in T20 cricket. Having batted most of his career at number 5 or number.6, Dhoni has the reputation of being the best finisher in the league. However, he has never been able to score a hundred in the league.
Dhoni has the highest score of 84 in the league, a match which was lost by CSK against RCB by just a run. Having played for CSK and RPS, Dhoni is one of the oldest players in the league in the IPL 2024. While he is well past his prime and has retired from international cricket, the fans would be hoping for him to score a hundred in the league.