The Orange Cap is one of those prestigious individual awards in the IPL or Indian Premier League which represent your batting strength as a team. The award goes to the leading run-scorer in each season of the IPL. The first took place in 2008 and since then, many legendary batters have donned the Orange Cap that goes to the leading run-scorer of the tournament like Virat Kohli, David Warner, Chris Gayle, Jos Buttler, etc.
As the tournament progresses, batters rotate keeping hold of the Orange Cap leading run-scorer. The trophy is awarded officially to the player with the most runs at the end of the tournament.
What is the Orange Cap in IPL?
Highest runs scorer in an IPL season is awarded the Orange Cap. Whoever is on top of the run charts in the tournament gets to wear this Orange Cap while out on the field.
It was first presented during the inaugural IPL season in 2008 and is one of the most significant individual accomplishments in franchise cricket.
IPL Orange Cap Winners List (2008 to 2026)
| Year | Player | Team | Runs |
| 2008 | Shaun Marsh | Kings XI Punjab | 616 |
| 2009 | Matthew Hayden | Chennai Super Kings | 572 |
| 2010 | Sachin Tendulkar | Mumbai Indians | 618 |
| 2011 | Chris Gayle | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 608 |
| 2012 | Chris Gayle | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 733 |
| 2013 | Michael Hussey | Chennai Super Kings | 733 |
| 2014 | Robin Uthappa | Kolkata Knight Riders | 660 |
| 2015 | David Warner | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 562 |
| 2016 | Virat Kohli | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 973 |
| 2017 | David Warner | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 641 |
| 2018 | Kane Williamson | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 735 |
| 2019 | David Warner | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 692 |
| 2020 | KL Rahul | Kings XI Punjab | 670 |
| 2021 | Ruturaj Gaikwad | Chennai Super Kings | 635 |
| 2022 | Jos Buttler | Rajasthan Royals | 863 |
| 2023 | Shubman Gill | Gujarat Titans | 890 |
| 2024 | Virat Kohli | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 741 |
| 2025 | Sai Sudharsan | Gujarat Titans | 759 |
| 2026 | Ongoing Season* | IPL 2026 | Yet to be decided |
Top 10 Highest Run-Scorers in a Single IPL Season
These are the greatest batting seasons in IPL history based on total runs scored.
| Rank | Player | Season | Runs |
| 1 | Virat Kohli | 2016 | 973 |
| 2 | Shubman Gill | 2023 | 890 |
| 3 | Jos Buttler | 2022 | 863 |
| 4 | David Warner | 2016 | 848 |
| 5 | Kane Williamson | 2018 | 735 |
| 6 | Chris Gayle | 2012 | 733 |
| 7 | Michael Hussey | 2013 | 733 |
| 8 | Virat Kohli | 2024 | 741 |
| 9 | Sai Sudharsan | 2025 | 759 |
| 10 | KL Rahul | 2020 | 670 |
Players with Most Orange Caps in IPL History
| Player | Orange Caps Won | Years |
| David Warner | 3 | 2015, 2017, 2019 |
| Virat Kohli | 2 | 2016, 2024 |
| Chris Gayle | 2 | 2011, 2012 |
| Others | 1 each | Various seasons |
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Virat Kohli’s Historic 2016 IPL Season
Virat Kohli owns the record for the best-ever Orange Cap season in IPL history. In IPL 2016, he had notched a staggering 973 runs with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
That season included:
- 4 centuries
- 7 half-centuries
- Average above 80
- Strike rate above 150
Not a single batter has crossed the 900-run mark more than once in IPL history.
Chris Gayle’s Dominance in IPL
Chris Gayle remarkable performances at RCB changed T20 batting forever. Who has bagged himself consecutive Orange Caps in 2011 and 2012.
He was one of the most risky batsmen as he could blast any ball bowled to him and that made him an entertainment in IPL history.
David Warner – The King of Consistency
David Warner is one of the greatest overseas players in IPL history as well. Won Orange Cap at least thrice, registered 500+ runs almost each season for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
SRH were very dangerous during Warner’s time at the top of the order with aggressive starts.
Young Stars Who Won the Orange Cap
- Shubman Gill – 890 runs in 2023
- Ruturaj Gaikwad – Winner in 2021
- Sai Sudharsan – Winner in 2025
IPL 2026 Orange Cap Race
Initially, the race for IPL 2026 Orange Cap was an intense one. Heinrich Klaasen, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi have all shared the lead throughout the tournament too.
Conclusion
The Orange Cap is not only an award – it signifies the bidding excellence across the biggest T20 league in the history of cricket. Be it 2008 when Shaun Marsh was the top scorer or Virat Kohli with a record 973 runs and in more modern times Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan put up mammoth numbers, the IPL has given us memorable seasons of batting each year.
With the IPL still on its way to becoming a huge tournament, Fanangan watches attentively every season Orange Cap leaderboard and also which batter will make it big in the tournament year-on-year.
FAQs
Who won the first Orange Cap in IPL history?
Shaun Marsh won the first IPL Orange Cap in 2008 while playing for Kings XI Punjab.
Who has won the most Orange Caps in IPL?
David Warner has won the Orange Cap three times.
Who scored the most runs in a single IPL season?
Virat Kohli scored 973 runs in IPL 2016, which is the highest ever.
Who won the Orange Cap in IPL 2025?
Sai Sudharsan won the Orange Cap in IPL 2025 for Gujarat Titans.
