Virat Kohli issues an official statement after winning the IPL 2024 Orange Cap

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) might have failed to cross the elimination hurdle, but their majestic batter Virat Kohli shone extremely bright with the bat in the recently concluded IPL 2024. The batting maestro Kohli won the IPL 2024 Orange Cap for being the leading run scorer this season.

Kohli was awarded the Orange Cap trophy after the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) crushed SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) by eight wickets in the IPL 2024 Final at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, May 26, to clinch their third title.

Virat Kohli's stellar performance earns him second IPL Orange Cap Trophy

However, IPL 2024-winning captain Shreyas Iyer collected the award on behalf of Kohli since the former RCB skipper was not present in Chennai. He is currently on a mini-break from the game after the RCB crashed out of the IPL 2024 following their eliminator loss to the Rajasthan Royals (RR).

Kohli had a stellar IPL 2024 season, reaffirming his status as one of the premier batters in the world’s biggest T20 extravaganza. The dashing right-hander scored 741 runs in 15 innings at an impressive average of 61.75 and a strike rate of 154.70, making him the highest run scorer of the season.

His consistency at the top of the order was remarkable for RCB, featuring five half-centuries and one hundred, with a highest score of 113 not out in the IPL 2024. Kohli's ability to anchor the innings while also accelerating the run rate when required played a crucial role in RCB's revival this season.

Apart from his enthralled batting and fielding, Kohli also motivated RCB through challenging matches and provided his tactical acumen in tight situations. Additionally, Kohli's energy levels were exceptional throughout the season. Despite RCB falling short in the IPL 2024 playoffs, his performance stood out, earning him widespread praise from one and all.

Extremely honored to receive the orange cap for this season: Virat Kohli

Meanwhile, this was the second time Kohli won the Orange Cap award for being the leading run-getter in the IPL. He had scored 973 runs in the IPL 2016 and won the award for the first time. After winning the Orange Cap trophy for the second time, Kohli thanked everyone for their support.

Virat Kohli was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz on receiving the honor: “Extremely honored to receive the orange cap for this season. It was a roller-coaster of a ride, I was really pleased with the way I performed for my team throughout the season but more importantly in the latter half where we needed to win every game to qualify. Something that I hope to replicate in the 2025 season of the IPL as well. Thank you everyone for your support.”

Notably, Kohli missed the flight with the first group of Indian players for New York, as he will travel late to the USA for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024, starting on June 1, after taking a mini-break from the game. The BCCI had reportedly approved his plea before the mega event, where India kicked off their campaign against Ireland on June 5.