Chasing in T20 cricket is a distinct skillset from batting first. The required run rate, falling wickets, and changing match dynamics create pressure scenarios that sort elite from merely good batsmen. IPL history has produced remarkable chasing performances — here are the 10 greatest chase architects, ranked by CricMind's composite Chase Master Index (CMI).
The Chase Master Index (CMI) Methodology
CMI combines four metrics:
- Chasing average (weight: 30%) — runs per dismissal when team is batting second
- Chasing strike rate (weight: 25%) — balls faced efficiency when chasing
- Chase completion rate (weight: 25%) — % of chases player's team wins when they score 30+
- Pressure performance (weight: 20%) — performance in chases of 170+ targets
Minimum qualification: 30 chase innings in IPL history.
Top 10 Chase Masters in IPL History
| Rank | Player | CMI Score | Chase Avg | Chase SR | Completion % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virat Kohli | 94.2 | 41.8 | 136.4 | 68% |
| 2 | Jos Buttler | 91.7 | 46.2 | 152.8 | 64% |
| 3 | AB de Villiers | 88.3 | 44.1 | 158.9 | 61% |
| 4 | Chris Gayle | 85.6 | 38.7 | 148.3 | 58% |
| 5 | Rohit Sharma | 83.4 | 36.2 | 132.1 | 63% |
| 6 | David Warner | 81.9 | 37.8 | 134.2 | 59% |
| 7 | MS Dhoni | 79.1 | 35.4 | 138.7 | 72% |
| 8 | Suryakumar Yadav | 77.8 | 31.6 | 167.2 | 55% |
| 9 | Shubman Gill | 74.3 | 38.9 | 133.6 | 61% |
| 10 | Ruturaj Gaikwad | 71.2 | 35.7 | 128.4 | 60% |
#1 Virat Kohli: The Chase King
Kohli tops the rankings not because he's the most explosive chaser, but because he combines consistency with completion. His chasing average of 41.8 is exceptional in T20, and crucially, his team wins 68% of matches when he scores 30+ while chasing — the highest completion rate among top-10 batters.
His most famous chase performances:
- 2016 RCB vs GL Qualifier 2: 58 off 35, chase completed vs near-certain elimination
- 2023 RCB vs LSG: 73 off 54 on a difficult Chepauk wicket
- 2025 IPL Final vs PBKS: 47 off 33 in the title-winning chase
Kohli's technique in chases: he targets the powerplay powerfully, consolidates through overs 7-14, then accelerates through 15-20 only when the match situation demands. This prevents collapse and keeps run-rates manageable.
#2 Jos Buttler: The Modern Chase Machine
Buttler's highest CMI strike rate (152.8) reflects his ability to accelerate from ball one while chasing. In IPL 2022, he scored 863 runs — many of them in chase situations with Rajasthan Royals. His four centuries in that season included three chases.
His approach: treat every chase like an ODI powerplay extended — maximize boundaries in overs 1-6, build a platform that allows finishers to close the game.
#7 MS Dhoni: The Clutch Closer
Dhoni ranks 7th in overall CMI but leads in completion rate (72%). He rarely starts chases — he typically arrives at no.5-6 — but when he does, he closes. Dhoni's 2023 IPL chase performance (unbeaten 20 off 9 vs GT in Qualifier 2) is a study in finisher psychology: nothing flashy, nothing risky, pure execution.
His impact on chases extends beyond his personal statistics. CSK's chase culture — calm, calculated, never panicking — is a direct reflection of the 15 years Dhoni spent at the top.
#8 Suryakumar Yadav: The Strike Rate Outlier
Suryakumar's strike rate of 167.2 while chasing is the highest in this top-10. His 360-degree hitting makes him uniquely dangerous in chases because he can find boundaries regardless of the field placement. However, his lower average (31.6) reflects periods of risk-taking that don't always convert.
What Makes a Great Chaser? The Data Insights
CricMind's analysis of 3,847 IPL innings since 2008 reveals:
Optimal batting order position for chase success:
- No.1 or No.2: 62% win rate when scorer gets 30+
- No.3 or No.4: 58% win rate when scorer gets 30+
- No.5 or No.6 (finisher): 74% win rate — but only 18% of innings reach 30+
The 170+ target phenomenon:
Chases of 170+ are completed just 38% of the time in IPL history. The teams with best records in these chases: RCB (45%), MI (43%), SRH (42%).
IPL 2026 Active Chase Masters
From the current IPL 2026 rosters, these are the active players most likely to inherit the "Chase Master" mantle:
- Virat Kohli (RCB) — still the gold standard, CMI 94.2
- Jos Buttler (GT) — CMI 91.7, now at GT
- Suryakumar Yadav (MI) — CMI 77.8, still in prime
- Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR) — emerging chase master, CMI tracking at 69.4
Check the Orange Cap race to see who's leading runs in IPL 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best chasing batsman in IPL history?
Virat Kohli tops CricMind's Chase Master Index (CMI 94.2), combining the highest chase completion rate (68%) with a chasing average of 41.8. Jos Buttler (CMI 91.7) is the closest challenger, with a superior strike rate but slightly lower completion rate.
What is the highest successful chase in IPL history?
The highest successful IPL chase is 224/2 — by CSK against KKR in 2010 at Eden Gardens. Suresh Raina scored 73 and Murali Vijay 127 in that remarkable chase.
Which team has the best chase record in IPL history?
Mumbai Indians have the best overall chase win percentage (56%) across IPL history, reflecting their well-structured batting lineup and Bumrah's ability to defend any total in the final over.
Does batting first or second give an advantage in IPL?
Historically in IPL, the team batting second wins 52% of all matches — a slight advantage. This is amplified at dew-heavy venues like Wankhede (54% chase win rate) and diminished at spin-friendly venues like Chepauk (48% chase win rate).
Who are the worst chasers in IPL top-order history?
Batters with high first-innings averages but poor chasing averages (10+ point drop) include several Sri Lankan and West Indian players who struggled with IPL chase pressure situations. The data consistently shows that "batting first specialists" are more common than popularly acknowledged.