Chase Master Of Cricket - Updated 2025

Let’s talk about one of cricket’s most thrilling challenges, the thrill of chasing under pressure. You know the feeling when the scoreboard is ticking, the required run rate is climbing, and the weight of an entire match rests on a batter’s shoulders. It’s the ultimate test of nerve, skill, and sheer willpower.

Over the years, a few legends have made this art their own. They’ve turned tough run chases into personal playgrounds and earned the nickname we all know and respect: "Chase Masters."

As we head into 2025, the debate is still alive and well. Who truly owns that crown today? While several exciting names are rising through the ranks, the numbers and clutch performances point to one clear standout. Still, the next great Chase Master could be just one inning away.

How We Have Ranked Chase Master of Cricket

We have ranked all the players on the basis of some specific ranking factors so that all the contenders for the chase master of Cricket get ranked fairly.

• Batting Average in Chases: A high batting average in chases demonstrates a player's consistency and ability to perform under pressure, often steering the team towards victory. Players like MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli have set benchmarks with averages nearing or exceeding 90 in successful run chases, highlighting their reliability. This metric is crucial for identifying players who can repeatedly deliver when the stakes are high.
• Runs Scored in Chases: The total runs scored in chases reflect a player's overall impact and the volume of their contributions to their team’s success. Accumulating thousands of runs while chasing, as seen with Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar, underscores a player's longevity and sustained excellence in pressure situations. This factor helps distinguish players who consistently shoulder the responsibility of guiding their team during difficult pursuits.
• Strike Rate in Chases: A high strike rate in chases indicates a player's ability to keep the scoreboard moving, which is especially vital in limited-overs cricket. Players who maintain aggressive strike rates while chasing, like Kohli, can shift momentum and reduce pressure on their teammates. This metric highlights those who can accelerate the scoring rate without compromising their wicket.
• Match-Winning Knocks: Delivering match-winning knocks in chases highlights a player’s ability to rise to the occasion, particularly in high-stakes or knockout matches. These performances often define a player's legacy, as they directly contribute to the team's success under pressure. Players renowned for such innings, like Kohli, have repeatedly proven their mettle in the toughest scenarios.

List of Top 5 Chase Master in Cricket

Chasing a target in cricket isn’t just about scoring runs; it’s about holding your nerve when the heat is on. You’ve seen those moments, right? When the team’s in trouble, one player steps up, calm and calculated. These players have turned run chases into an art form, guiding their sides to victory time and again when it matters most. Here are the top 5 chase masters who have redefined finishing games with their exceptional batting prowess.

Who is the Chase Master of Cricket All Time?

Virat Kohli is widely recognised as the chase master of cricket. He has scored over 8,000 ODI runs while chasing, with a remarkable average and 28 centuries in successful run chases, consistently delivering match-winning performances under pressure. Kohli’s record-breaking feats have cemented his legacy as the modern game’s ultimate chase master.

5. Shreyas Iyer | India

Shreyas Iyer has emerged as a formidable chaser in recent years, especially in the IPL. His calmness under pressure and ability to anchor or accelerate as needed were on full display during the 2025 IPL playoffs, where he scored a match-winning 87* off 41 balls to guide Punjab Kings to the highest chase in IPL playoff history. His growing reputation as a finisher and leader in run chases has earned him the “chase master” tag from teammates and opponents alike.

4. Sachin Tendulkar | India

The “Master Blaster” was a pioneer in chasing, holding the record for most runs in ODI chases for years. With 17 centuries in successful ODI chases, Tendulkar’s ability to set the tone and anchor innings was unmatched during his era. His contributions laid the foundation for future Indian chase specialists. During his time, he was one of the best chase masters in the world.

3. MS Dhoni | India

No list is complete without “Captain Cool.” MS Dhoni’s calmness and finishing prowess in run chases, especially in white-ball cricket, are legendary. His unbeaten 91 in the 2011 World Cup final remains one of the most iconic chase innings in history. Dhoni’s tactical acumen and ability to absorb pressure made him one of the greatest finishers ever.

2. AB de Villiers | South Africa

AB de Villiers revolutionised ODI chases with his unmatched 360-degree strokeplay and the ability to accelerate explosively at any stage of the innings. Averaging close to 57 in run chases, he was South Africa’s most dependable batsman when the situation demanded something extraordinary, often turning impossible targets into memorable victories. Have you ever watched someone chase a target and make it look effortless? That was him. What stood out wasn’t just the big shots. It was the calm, the creativity, the confidence. ​And in doing so, he showed young cricketers that chasing isn’t about panic, it’s about belief.

1. Virat Kohli | India

Virat Kohli stands alone at the summit. With an ODI average of 64.50 in chases, nearly eight runs ahead of the next best, AB de Villiers. King Kohli has a record 28 centuries while chasing. Kohli’s numbers are staggering. In successful ODI chases, his average soars to an astonishing 89.50. He has also broken the IPL record for most runs in successful run chases, with 2,205 runs for RCB as of 2025. Kohli’s latest heroics in the 2025 Champions Trophy, including a match-winning 100* against Pakistan and a crucial 84 against Australia in the semifinal, have only solidified his legacy as the ultimate chase master.

Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 82 off 53 balls against Pakistan at the MCG sits at the top of his milestones. The 2022 T20 World Cup knock is hailed as one of cricket’s greatest chases, rescuing India from 31/4 to victory. He has been the 2nd owner of the MRF chase master cricket bat, who owns the chasing skill.

Why is Virat Kohli named as Chase Master of Cricket?

Virat Kohli’s chase mastery is built on a foundation of:

• Consistency: Kohli’s average of 64.50 in ODI chases is the highest in history among players with significant runs. His remarkable consistency ensures India can rely on him in almost every pressure situation.
• Volume: He has scored 8,720 runs in ODI chases and 2,205 runs in successful IPL chases, both records. This incredible volume of runs highlights his longevity and dominance across formats and conditions.
• Match-Winning Knocks: 28 ODI centuries in chases, including several in ICC tournaments and high-pressure games. Many of these centuries have come when India needed them most, cementing his legacy as a true match-winner.
• Strike Rotation: Kohli’s ability to find singles and keep the scoreboard moving is unmatched, holding the record for most singles in ODI history. His sharp running between the wickets puts constant pressure on the opposition and builds crucial partnerships.
• Temperament: He thrives under pressure, often pacing his innings perfectly to finish games, as seen in the 2025 Champions Trophy and IPL. Kohli’s mental strength and composure in crunch moments have set new standards for chasing in modern cricket.

As Steve Smith put it, “He’s arguably the best chaser the game has ever seen.” Apart from that, Kohli's statistics leave little room for debate.

Who is the new Chase Master in Cricket 2025?

While Virat Kohli continues to reign supreme, new contenders are emerging. In 2025, Shreyas Iyer is hailed as the “chase master” by peers like Nehal Wadhera after his match-winning exploits in the IPL playoffs. Iyer’s ability to anchor and finish chases on big occasions, along with his leadership, has made him the face of the next generation of chase specialists.

Shreyas Iyer didn’t just show his masterclass in the IPL 2025 playoffs. During the Champions Trophy 2025, he steadied the ship in the middle overs whenever India lost wickets early. However, the unbeaten 87* against the Mumbai Indians was more than a score. It was a torch being picked up in the dark. A whisper that the next chase master may already be here.

Virat Kohli, though, still sits on the throne as the chase master of cricket in India. His chases are stories told in dressing rooms. His knocks are blueprints. His presence at the crease feels like gravity. But the winds are shifting. Iyer is no echo. He’s the beginning of a new song. And as the old guard stands tall, the next wave waits with sharpened blades. The chase lives on. The fire doesn’t dim. It simply finds new hands to hold it.