As IPL 2025 gears up to resume with the high-stakes clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders, attention has returned to the standout performances—and surprising struggles—across the league.
While the Indian Premier League is often celebrated for explosive batting and non-stop boundaries, there’s another side to the game that often gets overlooked: dot balls. In a format built on run-scoring, facing a large number of dot balls can slow momentum and shift pressure back to the batting side.
Interestingly, many of the batters with the most dot balls in IPL 2025 are also among the tournament’s highest run-scorers. That reveals a trend—players may take their time to settle before launching into high gear, which still leads to impressive strike rates.
Here are the top five batters with the most dot balls in IPL 2025 so far:
1. Yashasvi Jaiswal – Rajasthan Royals
- Dot Balls Faced: 110
- Balls Faced: 306
- Strike Rate: 154.57
Analysis:
Yashasvi Jaiswal leads the list with 110 dot balls—the highest of any batter this season. On the surface, this might appear to be a worrying stat. But when paired with his strike rate of 154.57, the picture becomes clearer: Jaiswal may take his time initially, but he makes up for it with incredible acceleration once he gets in.
As the Rajasthan Royals have struggled for consistency, Jaiswal’s aggression at the top has been a key differentiator. His innings often feature a cautious start, followed by an all-out attack that can change the course of a match in a few overs. His dot ball count also reflects the weight of responsibility he carries in a struggling batting lineup.
2. Ajinkya Rahane – Kolkata Knight Riders
- Dot Balls Faced: 96
- Balls Faced: 256
- Strike Rate: 146.48
Analysis:
A veteran of Indian cricket, Ajinkya Rahane may not be the most flamboyant batter in the T20 format, but his adaptation over the past few seasons has been impressive. Rahane’s 96 dot balls show that he still leans on his classical roots, often taking his time to judge pitch conditions and bowlers early on.
Despite that, his strike rate of 146.48 shows he’s capable of making up for the slow starts. His ability to pick gaps and switch gears has allowed KKR to stabilize their middle overs and build strong finishes. For someone often written off in T20s, Rahane continues to prove his worth—even when not hitting from ball one.
3. Sai Sudharsan – Gujarat Titans
- Dot Balls Faced: 95
- Balls Faced: 332
- Strike Rate: 153.31
- Runs: 509 (Second-highest in IPL 2025)
Analysis:
Sai Sudharsan has been one of the standout performers in IPL 2025. The Gujarat Titans batter has matured rapidly, showing exceptional temperament and awareness. His 95 dot balls indicate that he takes a few deliveries to settle in, but once he’s locked in, there are few who can stop him.
With 509 runs, Sudharsan is currently the second-leading run-scorer in the tournament, and his strike rate of 153.31 confirms that his early caution is a tactical choice. His ability to rotate strike after getting set is strong, and his performance under pressure has been key to GT’s top-four push.
4. Virat Kohli – Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- Dot Balls Faced: 94
- Balls Faced: 352
- Strike Rate: 143.46
Analysis:
It’s unusual to see Virat Kohli, widely regarded as one of the best strike-rotators in cricket, on this list. Yet, in IPL 2025, Kohli has faced 94 dot balls—a stat that points to a more cautious and calculated approach.
The former RCB captain has taken it upon himself to anchor the innings more often, allowing other power-hitters to bat around him. His strike rate of 143.46 is still well above par, but it’s clear that Kohli is prioritizing innings-building over fireworks. His ability to shift gears remains intact, but he’s choosing his moments carefully, often spending a few overs setting himself before unleashing.
5. Ryan Rickelton – Mumbai Indians
- Dot Balls Faced: 92
- Balls Faced: 219
- Strike Rate: 153.42
Analysis:
Ryan Rickelton has been one of Mumbai Indians’ brightest finds this season. The South African import has brought his aggressive top-order batting from the SA20 league straight into the IPL. While he has faced 92 dot balls, he’s also been one of the most dynamic scorers, with a blistering strike rate of 153.42.
Rickelton’s early caution is usually short-lived. He often takes 5–10 deliveries to assess conditions and then switches into attack mode. His approach has worked wonders, particularly against spin-heavy attacks, where he’s been able to take full control after his initial sighters.
Summary Table: Batters with the Most Dot Balls in IPL 2025
| Rank | Player | Team | Dot Balls | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yashasvi Jaiswal | Rajasthan Royals | 110 | 306 | 154.57 | Most dot balls; still strikes at a phenomenal rate once settled |
| 2 | Ajinkya Rahane | Kolkata Knight Riders | 96 | 256 | 146.48 | Balanced classical style with late-innings acceleration |
| 3 | Sai Sudharsan | Gujarat Titans | 95 | 332 | 153.31 | Among top scorers; calculated starts followed by explosive finishing |
| 4 | Virat Kohli | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 94 | 352 | 143.46 | Takes time to assess; plays anchor role with sharp acceleration phases |
| 5 | Ryan Rickelton | Mumbai Indians | 92 | 219 | 153.42 | Short sighter phase followed by aggressive strokeplay up the order |
Dot Balls Don’t Always Mean Inefficiency
It’s important to note that facing dot balls doesn’t always reflect poor performance. In many cases, especially with top-order batters, a few dot balls early in the innings serve as a strategic setup for explosive hitting later. The common thread among these players is their ability to compensate with high strike rates, proving that calculated starts can still result in match-winning contributions.
As the playoffs approach, these batters will continue to play vital roles for their teams—whether it’s through patient starts, fiery finishes, or both.
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