2008 To 2020: List Of All Orange Cup Winners In IPL

The Orange Cap in IPL gets for the player, who ends up as the highest run-getter in a single edition. The IPL is a land of opportunities where any batsman gets numerous chances to stamp their authority against the best bowlers worldwide and by thriving in challenging situations before them. The tournament helps the players to put the selectors in the notice.

Over the years, not only Indian players but also overseas players have established their penchant for run-scoring by grabbing the Orange cap. Such players have not only exemplified skill and consistency but also the temperament to win the confidence of the franchise owners. Their form has been crucial to the franchise’s success, making a strong case for their retention year after year.

We take a look at the holders of the Orange Cap from the inaugural to the latest season of IPL:

Shaun Marsh (2008) – 616 runs:

Shaun Marsh became a reasonably recognized name in the cricketing fraternity through his exploits for Kings XI Punjab in the inaugural edition of IPL. Shaun Marsh, who used to open for Kings XI Punjab, racked up 616 runs in 11 games at 68.64 with a strike rate of 139.68.

The Western Australian’s run-scoring spree, which included five fifties and one century, was significant in Kings XI Punjab reaching the semi-finals. All 71 games of the 37-year old came for KXIP only from 2008 to 2017. After that, Marsh faded away and is currently out of the Australian team as well.

Matthew Hayden (2009) – 572 runs:

Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden had retired from international cricket by the time he headed into the second season of IPL. Matthew Hayden had already enjoyed a productive season with the Chennai Super Kings in 2008; however, he only featured in four matches. In those four games, Hayden managed 189 runs with two fifties at a strike rate of 144.27.

Nevertheless, the southpaw played in 12 matches in South Africa the following year and brutally struck the ball. The Queensland hammered five fifties in a 572-run edition at 52 along with a strike rate of 144.81. However, the Super Kings exited the tournament in the semi-finals, losing to Royal Challengers Bangalore. But the next best Adam Gilchrist could not surpass his former opening partner as he perished for a duck in the final.

Sachin Tendulkar (2010) – 618 runs:

Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar could not precisely crack the T20 code in the first two editions, having not played enough short format games. However, Mumbai Indians and Sachin Tendulkar created an upsurge in the third season as the franchise reached not only the playoffs but also the final. Unfortunately, Chennai Super Kings gunned them down.

As for the Mumbai Indians’ skipper, he mustered 618 runs in 15 games at 47.54 with a reasonably healthy strike rate of 132.64. Tendulkar scored five fifties in the process and also valiantly fought in the final, top-scoring with 48. It would be three more years before the 47-year old was part of a set-up that lifted the first of its three IPL titles.

Chris Gayle (2011) – 608 runs:

Chris Gayle went unsold in the auction ahead of the 2011 edition; however, Royal Challengers Bangalore seized the opportunity later. With fast bowler Dirk Nannes injured, the franchise roped in Chris Gayle as a replacement. It was indeed a masterstroke as Gayle sent in records tumbling with his prolific run-scoring.

The Jamaican played 12 matches and scored three fifties along with two centuries to accumulate 608 runs at 67.56 with a strike rate of 183.13. He single-handedly won plenty of fixtures for the franchise, which was chasing its first title. Nevertheless, the Royal Challengers could not become champions as they suffered a heavy defeat to Chennai in the final.

Chris Gayle (2012) – 733 runs:

For the second successive year, Chris Gayle earned the Orange Cap and was the best batsman in a single IPL edition by a mile. The southpaw was shoulders and above the rest of the batsmen and himself as compared to the last edition. Gayle also played more matches in 2012 that helped him to rack more runs.

Chris Gayle mustered 733 runs in 15 matches at a jaw-dropping average of 61.08, maintaining a strike rate of 160.75 with seven fifties and one century. The 41-year old wreaked havoc on the opposition along with Virat Kohli and AB De Villiers to give the RCB an upper hand. However, the franchise endured yet another underwhelming season.

Michael Hussey – (2013) – 733 runs:

Chennai Super Kings batsman Michael Hussey replicated Chris Gayle’s heroics of 2012 with 733 runs under his belt. Michael Hussey’s IPL career took a turn for the better as he was prolific at the top of the order and was significant in the Super Kings’ consistent run in the cash-rich league.

The Western Australian hammered 733 runs at 52.36 with a strike rate of 129.51 alongside six half-centuries. Hussey did earn the Orange Cap; however, his efforts were not enough as Chennai Super Kings lost a second successive IPL final. After losing to Kolkata Knight Riders in 2012, Mumbai Indians beat them the following year.

Robin Uthappa (660) – 2014:

It was Robin Uthappa’s best year in IPL so far and will possibly go down of all time, considering his current form. Robin Uthappa opened for Kolkata Knight Riders in 2014 IPL and formed a formidable opening pair with Gautam Gambhir. Their partnership was instrumental in Kolkata Knight Riders reviving their campaign.

The keeper-batsman smoked 660 runs at 44 with five fifties at a reasonably healthy strike rate of 137.79 along with six half-centuries. In the final against Kings XI Punjab in 2014, the 35-year old provided another breezy start with Gambhir in a steep chase. The Knight Riders eventually got over the line to lift their second title.

David Warner (562 runs) – 2015:

The 2015 edition marked David Warner’s rise as an IPL stalwart. Being part of SunRisers Hyderabad and the captain, David Warner, had an additional responsibility and it only made him grow from strength to strength. The southpaw became one of the most prolific players in the years to come.

The 2015 season was the first one where the former Australian vice-captain won the Orange Cap for the first time for his 562 runs in 14 games at 43.23. He struck seven fifties at a strike rate of 156.55. However, the SunRisers Hyderabad could reach the playoffs that year, finishing sixth in the points table.

Virat Kohli (2016) – 973 runs:

Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli marked his territory in IPL 2016, battling injuries to earn the Orange Cap. Virat Kohli had already been in prolific form in the 2016 ICC World T20 held before the cash-rich league and carried the same to the tournament. The number of runs scored by the 32-year old is a record for most runs in a single edition.

Kohli stormed his way to a mind-boggling 973 runs in 16 games at 81.08 at a credible strike rate of 152.03. He also slammed seven fifties and four centuries to cap it off as very few bowlers had answers to his magnificent stroke play. Despite the skipper’s fifty in the final in a chase of 209 in the final, the Royal Challengers could not get over the line against SunRisers Hyderabad.

David Warner (2017) – 641 runs:

For the second time in history, David Warner bagged the Orange Cap and continued his form from the 2016 edition. SunRisers Hyderabad were the defending champions in 2017 while Warner had piled up 848 runs last year as both he and the franchise remained the hunted.

But the southpaw stayed unfazed as the opponents ran into him. Warner emerged as the leading run-getter again with 641 runs in 14 matches at an impressive average of 58.27 and a strike rate of 141.81. The 34-year old smashed four fifties and a hundred to cap it off as the SunRisers’ campaign ended in the playoffs.

Kane Williamson (2018) – 735 runs:

Not many backed Kane Williamson to end up as the leading run-getter of the tournament since few knew he was as good a T20 player as in the other formats. The responsibility of captaincy fell on Kane Williamson’s shoulders after David Warner’s ban and not only he did the captaincy job well but also did not let it affect his batting.

The Kiwi skipper hammered 735 runs in 17 games at 52.50 with a strike rate of 142.44 and a tally of eight fifties. He also led the side astutely and wisely used the available resources to significant effect. Williamson catapulted the Orange Army to the final, where Shane Watson of Chennai Super Kings blew them away with a hundred.

David Warner (2019) – 692 runs:

All eyes were on David Warner in IPL 2019, given whether he boasted of the same touch after almost a year-long break from professional cricket. David Warner resumed normal service as he hammered a truckload of runs, taking bowlers for a ride all over the park. Despite playing only 12 games, the southpaw ended as the leading run-scorer by a mile.

In 12 games, Warner mustered 692 runs at 69.20 along with a strike rate of 143.87, hitting eight fifties and a hundred. The Australian opener also formed a fearsome opening partnership with Jonny Bairstow as SunRisers ruled over other teams in the batting department. It was the third time that he had earned the Orange Cap.

KL Rahul (2020) – 670 runs:

Kings XI Punjab captain KL Rahul did not have the desired start to IPL 2020; however, remained unstoppable moving forward. KL Rahul became the first centurion of IPL 2020 when he clubbed an unbeaten 132 off 69 deliveries that single-handedly batted the Royal Challengers out of the game.

Though there were times the 28-year old’s strike rate came under scrutiny, he learned from that quickly in the second half of the season. In 14 matches, Rahul mustered 670 runs at 55.83 with a strike rate of 129.34 alongside one century and five fifties. His captaincy was brilliant, especially in the second part of the tournament that helped them stack five wins on the bounce.

Also Read: IPL 2020 Final: Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals: Weather Forecast