Rishabh Pant vs Shreyas Iyer: Who Is The Better Batter In IPL?

Rishabh Pant vs Shreyas Iyer [Source: @iplt20.com]

In the Indian Premier League (IPL), where reputations are built in a matter of overs, Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer have emerged as two of the most talked-about names. Both have lit up the league with their batting brilliance and leadership.

While Rishabh Pant has set the stage on fire with his audacious shot-making and unorthodox flamboyance, Shreyas Iyer has often been the calm before the storm: steady, strategic and stormy with the bat

Pant has smashed records with his fearless batting, captained Delhi Capitals and became the most expensive IPL player ever with a INR 27 crore move to Lucknow in 2025. On the other hand, Shreyas Iyer became the highest-paid uncapped player in 2015, led Delhi to their first final in 2020 and lifted the title with KKR in 2024.

As they now lead rival teams in the IPL 2025 season, it is time to settle the debate: who as been the more impactful IPL batter? Let’s analyze.

Rishabh Pant vs Shreyas Iyer: Overall IPL Record

Analysis

• Pant and Iyer are neck-and-neck in total runs but it is the strike rate that separates them. Pant operates at a blistering 148.2 compared to Iyer’s more conventional 129.2. That is a big deal in T20 cricket where acceleration is the name of the game.
• Pant has smashed 155 sixes to Iyer’s 122, a clear sign of who brings the fireworks. And although Iyer has more fifties, Pant’s century, that unforgettable 128* remains one of the most iconic IPL knocks. Pant also faces fewer dot balls which shows how well he keeps the scoreboard ticking.

Rishabh Pant vs Shreyas Iyer: IPL Record Against Pacers

Analysis

• This is where Pant absolutely roars. His strike rate of 156.6 against pace is elite. That is the number of a pure power-hitter. The LSG captain loves pace on the ball and doesn’t hesitate to take on even the quickest bowlers. His six tally here is almost double that of Iyer, which shows how much more dangerous he is in the deep end of the pitch.
• On the other hand, Iyer has more runs but they have come at a slower clip and with more dot balls, which doesn’t help much in pressure chases or high-scoring games. Pant's intent is clear: take down pacers and don’t let them settle.

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Rishabh Pant vs Shreyas Iyer: IPL Record Against Spinners

Analysis

• Iyer is rock solid against spin. His average is a notch better and he has faced spin with less risk, which is why he has a slightly lower dot ball percentage too. The PBKS captain uses his feet well and finds the gaps.
• But Pant’s approach is a bit more explosive; his strike rate of 137.4 is higher and he plays more aggressive shots. Though he might give chances, Pant can rip spinners apart, especially in middle overs. Iyer plays the smart game; Pant goes for the jugular.

Rishabh Pant vs Shreyas Iyer: IPL Record In Powerplay Overs (1-6)

Analysis

• Iyer has had more time at the top,and that is reflected in his volume of runs. But Pant? He is clinical. His average in the powerplay is a mammoth 53.7 and he rarely loses his wicket early. He is not a blaster up front but manages to play with maturity, rotating strike and keeping things smooth.
• Iyer's strike rate is a bit pedestrian and he has chewed up more dot balls in the phase which is not ideal when the field is up. Pant’s ability to lay a solid foundation early without taking unnecessary risks gives him the upper hand.

Rishabh Pant vs Shreyas Iyer: IPL Record In Middle Overs (7-15)

Analysis

• This is where matches are won or lost and Pant is a proper middle-over monster. He knows how to anchor but also how to counter-attack. His strike rate, again, edges past Iyer, and he has hit more sixes too.
• That said, Iyer’s dot ball percentage is slightly better which shows he is good at rotating strike. Still, Pant’s ability to switch gears, especially against spinners during this phase, makes him more lethal. He can bat through the middle and accelerate with ease.

Rishabh Pant vs Shreyas Iyer: IPL Record In Death Overs (16-20)

Analysis

• Pant is pure chaos in the death. A strike rate of 203.3 is bonkers. He is not just hitting sixes, he is changing games in the last five overs. That ability to finish innings is rare and priceless.
• While Iyer has been decent, his role usually ends earlier. Pant’s raw power and timing make him one of the top finishers in the league. Yes, Iyer has a slightly better average and fewer dot balls but in the death overs, impact matters more than stats and Pant has got the X-factor.

Conclusion

When push comes to shove, Rishabh Pant edges ahead, not because he scores more runs or has more fifties but because how he scores those runs. His strike rate of 148.2 compared to Iyer’s 129.2 tells the story of a batter who consistently puts bowlers under pressure, changes the tempo of matches and forces captains to rethink their plans.

In crunch situations, you don’t just want someone to survive, you want someone to explode. And Pant, more often than not, blows the roof off. That is why, when it comes to sheer impact, Pant walks away with the honours.

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