List Of Orange Cap Winners in IPL (2008 - 2023)

The orange cap is awarded to the player with the most runs in a season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The cap is rotated throughout the season as the run-scoring charts see changes being made with the winner formally getting it as an award at the conclusion of the season. Here we look at all the orange cap winners in IPL so far.

Shaun Marsh (2008)

The Kings XI Punjab opener missed the initial 4 matches of the season yet finished as the highest run scorer in the inaugural edition of Indian Premier League. He scored 616 runs at an average of 68.44 and impressive strike rate of 139.68. His innings of 115 against Rajasthan Royals in the final group game of the season finished KXIP to finish second in the points table.

Matthew Hayden (2009)

Another Australian left-handed opening batter had the honours of finishing as IPL’s leading run scorer as Chennai Super Kings’ giant Matthew Hayden finished at the top of the run-scoring charts in 2009 with 572 runs at an average and strike rate of 52 and 144.81 respectively. Hayden hit 5 half-centuries in 12 innings that season.

Sachin Tendulkar (2010)

The Mumbai Indians captain became the first Indian player to win the orange cap scoring 618 runs in 15 innings. Tendulkar’s 5 fifties in the season helped MI finish at the top of the table but the side eventually lost to Chennai Super Kings in the finals.

Chris Gayle (2011, 2012)

The Universe Boss who had formerly featured for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL found no bidders in the 2011 auction and only entered the fray as a replacement for Dirk Nannes in the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad. He arrived in style scoring a century against his former side and hit another ton in the season finishing with 608 runs at 67.55 with a strike rate of 183.13. He continued his solid form in 2012 notching 733 runs in 15 matches with 7 fifties and a superb knock of 128 not out against Delhi Daredevils. Gayle became the first player in IPL to win multiple orange caps achieving the feat in consecutive seasons.

Michael Hussey (2013)

The Chennai Super Kings’ veteran left-hand batter equalled Gayle’s record of scoring most runs in a single IPL season from 2012. Michael Hussey amassed 733 runs in 17 innings hitting 6 half-centuries with a best of 95 while opening the innings against Kolkata Knight Riders. His performance helped the team finish at the top of the table with Mumbai Indians handing the side a defeat in the grand finale.

Robin Uthappa (2014)

The opening batter featured for Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2014 edition, his 4th team in 7 seasons of IPL. The 28-year-old opening batter was in supreme form that season churning 660 runs in 16 matches. Uthappa also created a world record of scoring more than 40+ runs in 10 consecutive innings. His form helped the Kolkata Knight Riders win their 2nd IPL title.

David Warner (2015, 2017, 2019)

Initially starting off with Delhi Daredevils, the Australian left-handed opening batter David Warner was acquired by Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2014 and was appointed as the captain in the next season. Warner led by example scoring 562 runs in 14 innings with 7 half-centuries to win the orange cap. He was denied the orange cap in 2016 as he finished 2nd in the table scoring 848 runs but won the cap in 2017 and 2019. Warner scored 641 runs with 4 fifties and a ton in the 2017 season and dominated the charts in 2019 with 692 runs hitting 8 fifties and an unbeaten 100 against Royal Challengers Bangalore. David Warner is the most orange cap winner in IPL.

Virat Kohli (2016)

The Royal Challengers Bangalore captain became only the third Indian batter in IPL history to clinch the orange cap. Virat Kohli looked unstoppable in the 2016 season and smashed a record 973 runs with an average of 81 and a strike rate of 152. Kohli also scored 4 centuries in that season, a record that was equalled by Jos Buttler in 2022. With 11 fifty-plus scores, Kohli has the IPL record for scoring the most runs in a single season.

Kane Williamson (2018)

The modern-day genius Kiwi batter replaced David Warner as Sunrisers Hyderabad captain in the 2018 edition and took the team to the finals scoring 735 runs at an average of 52.5 with 8 half-centuries. Williamson also hit 28 sixes and 64 fours that season scoring the runs at a strike rate of 142.44.

KL Rahul (2020)

The Kings XI Punjab captain continued his great form in the Indian Premier League and won the orange cap in the 2020 season. It was Rahul’s third consecutive where he averaged more than 50. In this case, his average at the end of the tournament was 55.83 having 670 runs behind him. He also scored the highest individual score in the IPL by an Indian with an unbeaten 132 against his former team Royal Challengers Bangalore. Rahul’s great form in the tournament continued as he scored over 600 runs in the next 2 seasons as well.

Ruturaj Gaikwad (2021)

After showcasing his skills in the 2020 season where he scored 204 runs at an average of 51 in 6 matches, Gaikwad got a full season in the playing XI in 2021 where he won the “emerging player of the season’’ award and also the orange cap scoring 635 runs with a century against Rajasthan Royals and 4 half centuries. Gaikwad averaged 45.35 and had a healthy strike rate of 136.26 as an opener. The successful season paved the way to don the Indian jersey in July 2021.

Jos Buttler (2022)

The experienced opening batter from England set the stage on fire in the 2022 IPL edition scoring 863 runs at a strike rate of 149 and averaged 57.53. Buttler also equaled Virat Kohli’s record of scoring most centuries in an IPL season hitting 4 tons with a best of 116 against Delhi Capitals. Buttler also won the player of the match award on three occasions. His performance helped the side to reach the finals where they were put down by Gujarat Titans. Buttler finished with the most fours and most sixes in the season and was also awarded the “most valuable player of the season” trophy.