Well, for a majority of uncapped as well as seasoned players, it’s nothing short of a dream to clinch the coveted Orange Cap award at the end of each season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). If you’re still wondering, the Orange Cap is awarded to the highest run-scorer at the end of the IPL season. In the previous IPL 2024 edition, the flag bearer of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Virat Kohli, clinched the Orange Cap award for the second time after the 2016 edition for amassing the highest total of 741 runs in a total of 16 matches.
In this article we will take a look at all the iconic cricketers who have clinched the coveted Orange Cap award from the inaugural IPL 2008 edition to the latest IPL 2024 season.
IPL Orange Cap Winners List (2008–2024)
Shaun Marsh (2008) – Kings XI Punjab
The Australian international cricketer, Shaun Marsh, etched his name in the golden pages of IPL history after clinching the Orange Cap award at the end of the inaugural IPL 2008 edition. Shaun Marsh played for the Kings XI Punjab (Joe Punjab Kings) franchise throughout the IPL 2008 edition and smashed the highest total of 616 runs at a brilliant average of 68.44 and an impressive strike rate of 139.68.
Matthew Hayden (2009) – Chennai Super Kings
Yet another Australian star cricketer, Matthew Hayden, who claimed the coveted Orange Cap award in the IPL 2009 season and created history. Matthew Hayden played for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise in the IPL 2009 edition and amassed a total of 572 runs in a total of 12 matches that he played throughout the tournament at an average of 52 and an explosive strike rate of 144.81.
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Sachin Tendulkar (2010) – Mumbai Indians
Former Indian legendary international cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar, often hailed as the “god” of Indian cricket, was honoured with the prestigious Orange Cap award at the end of the IPL 2010 edition for being the highest run-scorer of the Mumbai Indians (MI) squad. Tendulkar played a total of 15 matches and scored the highest total of 618 runs at an average of 47.53 and an impressive strike rate of 132.61.
Chris Gayle (2011) – Royal Challengers Bangalore
The powerhouse of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won the Orange Cap award in the IPL 2010 edition for being the highest run-scorer of the tournament. Chris Gayle played a total of 12 matches and amassed a total of 608 runs at an average of 67.55 and a strike rate of 183.13.
Chris Gayle (2012) – Royal Challengers Bangalore
The legendary West Indies cricketer and the flag bearer of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) created history and became the first-ever cricketer to secure the prestigious Orange Cap twice in a row at the end of the IPL 2012 season. Gayle played a total of 15 matches and scored the highest total of 733 runs at an impressive average of 61.08 and maintaining a strike rate of 160.74.
Michael Hussey (2013) – Chennai Super Kings
The IPL 2013 edition proved to be a gamechanger for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise. At the end of the season, CSK’s Michael Hussey was awarded the Orange Cap award for scoring the highest total of 733 runs in a total of 17 matches that he played throughout the season.
Robin Uthappa (2014) – Kolkata Knight Riders
Robin Uthappa witnessed a major transformation in his batting style in the IPL 2014 edition, and it paid off pretty well, as the Indian cricketer from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad clinched the Orange Cap award at the end of the season for scoring 660 runs in 16 matches at an impressive average of 44 and a remarkable strike rate of 137.78.
David Warner (2015) – Sunrisers Hyderabad
The star batsman of the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) squad, David Warner, proved his dominance on the field throughout the IPL 2015 edition and clinched the prestigious Orange Cap award for being the highest run-scorer of the tournament. David Warner played a total of 14 matches and scored 562 runs in the IPL 2015 season.
Virat Kohli (2016) – Royal Challengers Bangalore
The legendary Indian cricketer and the mainstay for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) proved his mettle on the field and clinched the Orange Cap award for the first time in the IPL 2016 edition. Kohli played a total of 16 matches and scored 973 runs at an extraordinary average of 81.08 and a remarkable strike rate of 152.03.
David Warner (2017) – Sunrisers Hyderabad
The Australian opener and one of the most reliable openers for the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) franchise clinched his career’s second Orange Cap award at the end of the IPL 2017 edition. Warner played a total of 14 matches and amassed a total of 641 runs at a lightning average of 58.27 and a strike rate of 141.81.
Kane Williamson (2018) – Sunrisers Hyderabad
As a skipper of the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) squad, Kane Williamson played his career’s finest innings throughout the IPL 2018 edition and also claimed his maiden Orange Cap award for amassing the highest total of 735 runs in 17 matches at an impressive average of 52.50 maintaining a strike rate of 142.44.
David Warner (2019) – Sunrisers Hyderabad
Although the Australian opener missed out on the IPL 2018 edition, he managed to make a roaring comeback in the IPL 2019 edition and proved his never-fading dominance on the field. David Warner played a total of 12 matches in the entire 2018 edition and scored a total of 692 runs, being the highest run-scorer of the tournament, clinching his career’s third Orange Cap award.
KL Rahul (2020) – Kings XI Punjab
KL Rahul undoubtedly left everyone stunned with his ground-breaking batting exploits throughout the IPL 2020 edition for the Kings XI Punjab side. KL Rahul played a total of 14 matches and scored a phenomenal total of 670 runs at a stellar average of 55.83 and an impressive strike rate of 129.34.
Ruturaj Gaikwad (2021) – Chennai Super Kings
Often hailed as of the most reliable openers of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Ruturaj Gaikwad displayed an annihilating batting spell throughout the IPL 2021 edition and ended up being the higher run scorer of the tournament with a phenomenal total of 635 runs in 13 matches that he played.
Jos Buttler (2022) – Rajasthan Royals
Well, the IPL 2022 edition undoubtedly proved to be extremely successful for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) franchise as the team’s dynamic opener clinched the prestigious Orange Cap award for the very first time. RR’s opening batsman, Jos Buttler, played a total of 14 matches throughout the tournament and scored the highest total of the season i.e. 863 runs. Additionally, Butler also played a major role in leading the Rajasthan Royals (RR) to the IPL finals for the first time in 2022.
Shubhman Gill (2023) – Gujarat Titans
The young cricketing sensation Shubhman Gill took over the command of Gujarat Titans’ batting lineup and never looked back. With his countless match-winning performances throughout the IPL 2023 season, Shubhman scored a total of 890 runs being the highest run-scorer of the season including three centuries.
Virat Kohli (2024) – Royal Challengers Bangalore
The flag bearer of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Virat Kohli clinched his career’s second Orange Cap award in the previous edition of the Indian Premier League. Kohli scored a phenomenal total of 841 runs at an average of 61.75 and an impressive strike of 154.70. The legendary Indian international cricketer and the mainstay of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Virat Kohli, smashed a total of five half-tons and a century, as well, in the IPL 2024 edition.
