IPL 2022: Complete List Of Orange Cap Winners In The Tournament History

The past 14 seasons of the Indian Premier League have treated cricket fans across the world to some of T20 cricket’s most memorable batting performances, many of which are still talked about to this day.

While it may not always be possible for individual batting efforts to carry a team all the way to the IPL title, these exploits receive their due recognition in the form of the Orange Cap, which is awarded to the highest run-scorer at the end of each IPL season.

Over the years, this honour has been claimed by superstars, emerging talents, and dark horses alike. So, with the 2022 edition of the competition set to start soon, let’s take a trip down memory lane by going over the complete list of Orange Cap winners in the tournament history of the IPL.

IPL 2022: Complete List Of Orange Cap Winners In The Tournament History

1. 2008 – Shaun Marsh (Kings XI Punjab, 616 runs)

Shaun Marsh was an unknown quantity at the start of the inaugural edition of the IPL, but the Australian’s name was on everyone’s lips by the time the tournament ended. Playing for Kings XI Punjab, the elegant southpaw amassed 616 runs in just 11 matches at an astonishing average of 68.44 and a healthy strike rate of 139.68. Marsh’s tally included five fifties and one ton as well.

2. 2009 – Matthew Hayden (Chennai Super Kings, 572 runs)

Matthew Hayden carried on the tradition of left-handed Australian openers claiming the Orange cap in the IPL by taking home the coveted prize in the second edition of the tournament, which was played in South Africa.

The wickets were perfect for Hayden’s brand of attacking cricket, and the Chennai Super Kings benefitted greatly from his runs. In all, Hayden racked up 572 runs in 12 matches, scoring at an average of 52 and a strike rate of 144.81.

3. 2010 – Sachin Tendulkar (Mumbai Indians, 618 runs)

Although the Mumbai Indians finished runners-up in the 2010 edition of the IPL, Sachin Tendulkar gave their fans some consolation by finishing atop the pile of run-getters in the tournament and bagging the Orange Cap.

The Master Blaster scored 618 runs in 15 matches at an average of 47.53 and a strike rate of 132.61. Interestingly, Tendulkar hit only three sixes in the entirety of the tournament, pereferring to deal in fours, of which he hit 86.

4. 2011 – Chris Gayle (Royal Challengers Bangalore, 608 runs)

A T20 stalwart and a bona fide IPL legend, Chris Gayle claimed the first of his two Orange Caps in the 2011 edition of the IPL. Playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore, the Universe Boss was at the top of his game, scoring 608 runs in just 12 matches at an average of 67.55 and an incredible strike rate of 183.13. Had his side gone deeper in the tournament, we might have seen Gayle put up even more impressive numbers.

5. 2012 – Chris Gayle (Royal Challengers Bangalore, 733 runs)

The 2012 edition of the IPL saw Chris Gayle do the Orange Cap double, retaining his title as the tournament’s top scorer by improving on his showing from last year. Gayle was the first batsman to breach the 700-run mark in a single season of the IPL, scoring 733 in 14 innings at an average of 61.08 and an equally impressive strike rate of 160.74. Amazingly, the West Indian hit more sixes than fours in the tournament, sending the ball soaring over the ropes 59 times as compared to his 46 fours.

6. 2013 – Michael Hussey (Chennai Super Kings, 733 runs)

Although he was never a big hitter of the ball, Michael Hussey made full use of his technique and temperament to establish himself as a fine T20 player and acquitted himself extremely well in the IPL, particularly for Chennai Super Kings.

The 2013 season was his finest on a personal level, as he took home the Orange Cap by matching Chris Gayle’s tally of 733 runs from last year. Hussey scored his runs in 17 matches at a healthy average of 52.35 and was a mainstay at the top of the CSK batting lineup. However, the team in yellow would end up losing in the finals to Mumbai Indians.

7. 2014 – Robin Uthappa (Kolkata Knight Riders, 660 runs)

Robin Uthappa was instrumental in Kolkata Knight Riders securing their second IPL title in 2014 as he led the scoring charts that year with a massive tally of 660 runs.

Scoring at an average of 44 and a strike rate of 137.78 at the top of the order, Uthappa was responsible for his side getting off to many a fast start in the tournament. His efforts ultimately culminated in KKR lifting the trophy in Bangalore after defeating Kings XI Punjab in the final.

8. 2015 – David Warner (Sunrisers Hyderabad, 562 runs)

The fourth left-handed Australian opener to feature on this complete list of Orange Cap winners in the tournament history of the IPL, Warner topped the scoring charts for the first time in 2015.

Representing the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Warner scored 562 runs in 14 matches at an average of 43.23 at the top of the order for SRH. Interestingly, this is the lowest tally of runs with which a batsman has won the Orange Cap in the history of the IPL.

9. 2016 – Virat Kohli (Royal Challengers Bangalore, 973 runs)

Former Indian skipper and mainstay of the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Virat Kohli makes his first (and till now, only) appearance on this list, but what a way to make an appearance! Kohli’s incredible tally of 973 runs in 16 matches remains the best individual performance by a batsman in a single IPL season, which included an unprecedented four centuries.

Kohli scored at an average of 81.08 and a strike rate of 152.03, but his team fell at the final hurdle, losing to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final. King Kohli also sits atop the all-time run-scoring charts by quite some distance, but this was definitely his finest individual season.

10. 2017 – David Warner (Sunrisers Hyderabad, 641 runs)

Having finished second in the charts with a total of 848 runs the previous year, David Warner reclaimed the Orange Cap from Virat Kohli in the 2017 edition of the IPL with his tally of 641 runs in 14 matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad. The explosive southpaw finished with an average of 58.27 and a strike rate of 141.81, smashing four half-centuries and a century along the way.

11. 2018 – Kane Williamson (Sunrisers Hyderabad, 735 runs)

Kane Williamson ensured that the Orange Cap would remain in the Sunrisers Hyderabad camp by topping the run-scoring charts in the 2018 edition of the IPL. The dependable Kiwi scored 735 runs in 17 matches at an average of 52.50 and a strike rate of 142.44, a feat made even more impressive by the fact that Williamson is a middle-order mainstay rather than an opener like most of the other players featured on the complete list of Orange Cap winners in the tournament history of the IPL.

Unfortunately, Williamson’s runs could not propel SRH to the title, as they lost in the final to Chennai Super Kings.

12. 2019 – David Warner (Sunrisers Hyderabad, 692 runs)

Having lost the Orange Cap to his Sunrisers Hyderabad teammate Kane Williamson in 2018, David Warner wrested the title back in 2019 with another dominant performance atop the SRH batting order.

Warner amassed 692 runs in just 12 innings, scoring at an average of 69.20 and a strike rate of 143.86. This was Warner’s third time achieving this feat, making him the first and as yet only player to do so three times.

13. 2020 – KL Rahul (Kings XI Punjab, 670 runs)

KL Rahul celebrated his appointment as the captain of the Kings XI Punjab by topping the run-scoring charts in 2020, racking up 670 runs in 14 innings. The stylish right-hander scored at an average of 55.83 and a strike rate of 129.34, anchoring many an impressive batting display by his new side.

Rahul was part of a formidable Kings XI Punjab opening partnership alongside his good friend and Karnataka teammate Mayank Agarwal, who contributed 424 runs of his own in 11 matches.

14. 2021 – Ruturaj Gaikwad (Chennai Super Kings, 635 runs)

The latest recipient and the current holder of the IPL Orange cap is Ruturaj Gaikwad, whose exploits with the bat earned him a spot in some of the recent Indian squads as well. The Maharashtra opener scored 635 runs in the tournament at an impressive average of 45.35 and a strike rate of 136.26, which included a ton and four fifties.

Gaikwad was partnered by South African Faf du Plessis, who finished second in the charts, just two runs behind his young Indian teammate. Together, the duo powered Chennai to yet another IPL title, as they bested Kolkata Knight Riders in the final in Dubai.