Throughout the history of IPL, many legendary batters have etched their names by winning the Orange Cap for being the highest run scorer of the season. From Star players like Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and David Warner to modern-day young guns, the chase for the orange cap has always been the sparkle of the league.
In the previous season, Gujarat Titans’ Sai Sudarshan claimed the Orange Cap for scoring 759 runs in just 15 matches with an average of 54.21. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the Orange Cap winners from each IPL season.
IPL Orange Cap Winners
| Year | Name | Team | Runs | Matches | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Shaun Marsh | Kings XI Punjab | 616 | 11 | 68.44 |
| 2009 | Matthew Hayden | Chennai Super Kings | 572 | 12 | 52.00 |
| 2010 | Sachin Tendulkar | Mumbai Indians | 618 | 15 | 47.53 |
| 2011 | Chris Gayle | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 608 | 12 | 67.55 |
| 2012 | Chris Gayle | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 733 | 15 | 61.08 |
| 2013 | Michael Hussey | Chennai Super Kings | 733 | 17 | 52.35 |
| 2014 | Robin Uthappa | Kolkata Knight Riders | 660 | 16 | 44.00 |
| 2015 | David Warner | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 562 | 14 | 43.23 |
| 2016 | Virat Kohli | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 973 | 16 | 81.08 |
| 2017 | David Warner | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 641 | 14 | 58.27 |
| 2018 | Kane Williamson | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 735 | 17 | 52.50 |
| 2019 | David Warner | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 692 | 12 | 69.20 |
| 2020 | KL Rahul | Kings XI Punjab | 670 | 14 | 55.83 |
| 2021 | Ruturaj Gaikwad | Chennai Super Kings | 635 | 16 | 45.35 |
| 2022 | Jos Buttler | Rajasthan Royals | 863 | 17 | 57.53 |
| 2023 | Shubman Gill | Gujarat Titans | 890 | 17 | 59.33 |
| 2024 | Virat Kohli | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 741 | 15 | 61.75 |
| 2025 | Sai Sudharsan | Gujarat Titans | 759 | 15 | 54.21 |
1. Shaun Marsh- Kings XI Punjab 2008
In the inaugural season of IPL, Shaun Marsh became the first player to win the IPL orange cap in 2008. He scored 616 runs in just 11 innings at an average of 68.44 for Kings XI Punjab.
His standout knock came against the Rajasthan Royals at Mohali, where his 115 of 69 balls helped Punjab reach 221/3 and win the match by 41 runs. Kings XI Punjab had picked him up as an uncapped Australian at a bargain price of 12 Lakhs, making his impact one of the biggest value-for-money signings of the first IPL season.
2. Mathew Hayden- Chennai Super Kings 2009
Matthew Hayden claimed the Orange Cap in the 2009 IPL season, scoring 572 runs in 12 matches at a mid average of 52.00 for Chennai Super Kings.
His defining innings arrived against Deccan Chargers at Centurion, where a blistering 93 off 43 balls took CSK to 208/5, sealing a 12-run victory. Hayden’s consistent fireworks, including five fifties and the Player of the Tournament, powered CSK’s top-two finish and semifinal qualification, with crucial chases like his unbeaten 60 sealing their Super Six spot.
3. Sachin Tendulkar- Mumbai Indians 2010
In the 2010 IPL season, Sachin Tendulkar claimed the Orange Cap as the first Indian to do so, smashing 618 runs across 15 matches at an average of 47.53 for Mumbai Indians.
His best score that season was an unbeaten 89 off 59 balls against Rajasthan Royals, anchoring MI’s chase and securing key points. Tendulkar’s five fifties and captaincy propelled MI to their first IPL final, overcoming a tough semi-final vs RCB with team efforts, while his 48 in the final vs CSK nearly chased 169, marking a historic runners-up finish.
4. Chris Gayle- Royal Challengers Bangalore 2011
Chris Gayle hammered 608 runs in just 12 innings at an average of 67.55 to grab the 2011 IPL season Orange Cap for Royal Challengers Bangalore.
His rampage featured two IPL centuries, including a 107 off 49 balls with 10 sixes vs KXIP at Chinnaswamy, powering RCB to 230/4, and 102* against KKR at Eden Gardens, and three fifties, plus 57 fours and 44 sixes in the whole season. This all came after he was picked as an injury replacement for Dirk Nannes. His key 57 vs CSK took RCB to their first-ever IPL final and built a foundation for RCB’s explosive batting line-up.
5. Chris Gayle- Royal Challengers Bangalore 2012
Coming into the 2012 season, Chris Gayle defended his Orange Cap with 733 runs in 15 matches at an average of 61.08 and a 160.74 strike rate.
His onslaught packed one century (128* off 62 vs Delhi Daredevils), seven fifties, 46 fours, and a record 59 sixes, more than many teams combined, the most in IPL history at that point. He contributed 31% of RCB’s total runs in the league stage. Though RCB faltered in the semis against Kolkata Knight Riders, Gayle’s brute power earned him Man of the Match in 6 games, solidifying back-to-back dominance as T20’s unrivaled Universe Boss.
6. Michael Hussey- Chennai Super Kings 2013
With an average of 52.35 in 17 innings, CSK’s Michael Hussey scored 733 runs to clinch the orange cap in 2013.
His campaign was defined by key knocks like 95 off 59 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders, 88 off 51 against Rajasthan Royals, and another solid 40 against KKR, combining aggressive starts with the ability to bat deep, perfectly reflecting his “Mr. Cricket” tag. This remarkable consistency played a central role in CSK reaching the final, where they eventually lost to Mumbai Indians, but the season remains one of Hussey’s most memorable and impactful in T20 cricket.
7. Robin Uthappa- Kolkata Knight Riders 2014
Robin Uthappa seized the IPL 2104 Orange Cap in 2104, racking up 660 runs in 16 matches at an average of 55 for KKR.
His blistering opener’s role featured a T20 world record of 8 consecutive 40+ scores, including 80* off 51 vs Kings XI Punjab and 47 off 28 in the final vs Punjab, powering KKR’s dominant campaign. As the first KKR player to claim the Orange Cap, and the only one to win both it and the IPL title in the same season, Uthappa’s fireworks led KKR to their second championship with a 3-wicket final triumph.
8. David Warner- Sunrisers Hyderabad 2015
In the 2015 IPL season, David Warner captured the Orange Cap, scoring 562 runs in 14 matches at an average of 43.23 and a strike rate of 156.11 for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
His explosive opening featured a highest of 91 off 41 vs Chennai Super Kings, four fifties, and consistent aggression that anchored SRH’s batting revival amid a challenging campaign with 27 fours and 21 sixes. As captain, Warner’s leadership and firepower guided SRH to a playoff spot despite finishing third, laying the groundwork for their 2016 title triumph and marking his first of three Orange Cap wins.
9. Virat Kohli- Royal Challengers Bengaluru 2016
Virat Kohli’s 2016 IPL campaign stands as a monumental feat, where the RCB captain amassed a record-breaking 973 runs in 16 matches at an astonishing average of 81.08 and a strike rate of 152.03, clinching the Orange Cap.
This unparalleled haul included 11 fifty-plus scores, featuring 4 centuries (joint-most in a season), 75 fours, 48 sixes, most balls faced at 640, and a record 5 Man of the Match awards for an Indian player, highlighting his dominance with iconic knocks like an unbeaten 100 off 58 balls versus Pune Supergiants in a high-stakes chase.His electric synergy with AB de Villiers terrorized bowlers, propelling RCB to the final as runners-up despite the heartbreaking loss to champions Sunrisers Hyderabad, etching the season as Kohli’s pinnacle IPL masterclass.
10. David Warner- Sunrisers Hyderabad 2017
In the 2017 IPL season, David Warner secured his second Orange Cap, blasting 641 runs in 14 matches at an average of 58.27 and a strike rate of 157.51 for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Warner’s opener’s mastery shone through five fifties, including a match-winning 126 off 59 vs Kolkata Knight Riders, with 52 fours and 26 sixes, anchoring SRH’s campaign amid title defense pressures.As captain, Warner’s leadership and consistency propelled SRH to the playoffs (third place), bridging his 2015 and 2019 triumphs in a dominant IPL phase despite a qualifier loss to Rising Pune Supergiant.
11. Kane Williamson- Sunrisers Hyderabad 2018
Kane Williamson’s captaincy in the 2018 IPL season was a masterclass, as he lifted the Orange Cap with 735 runs across 17 matches at an average of 52.50 and a strike rate of 125.04 for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
His elegant middle-order brilliance included 8 fifties with a top score of 84 against Chennai Super Kings, making him the first captain to get to 400+ runs that year while stabilizing SRH’s innings.This poise led table-topping SRH to the final, though they lost by 8 wickets to CSK, cementing Williamson as the rare non-opener Orange Cap recipient in IPL history.
12. David Warner- Sunrisers Hyderabad 2019
David Warner roared back in the 2019 IPL season after his ban, dominating with the Orange Cap by smashing 692 runs in just 12 matches at an average of 69.20 and a strike rate of 143.66 for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Key Highlights: 8 fifties and a century (100* off 55 vs RCB), exiting mid-tournament for Australia’s World Cup camp, yet leading the charts with explosive opening cameos.
His “different league” form post-2018 absence fueled SRH’s playoff push (eliminated by MI), reaffirming Warner as IPL’s elite opener and a World Cup booster.
13. KL Rahul- Kings XI Punjab 2020
In the 2020 IPL season, KL Rahul dominated as Kings XI Punjab captain, clinching the Orange Cap with 670 runs in 14 matches at an average of 55.83 and a strike rate of 129.34.
His pinnacle moment was an unbeaten 132* off 69 balls against RCB on September 24, which was the highest run scored by an Indian in IPL history, earning Man of the Match thrice and the Dream11 Gamechanger award. Rahul’s five fifties and consistency outshone rivals despite PBKS missing playoffs, marking him as the fourth Indian Orange Cap winner and first for the franchise since Shaun Marsh in 2008.
14. Ruturaj Gaikwad- Chennai Super Kings 2021
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s breakthrough 2021 IPL season propelled him to Orange Cap glory, amassing 635 runs in 16 matches at an average of 45.36 and a strike rate of 136.27 for Chennai Super Kings.
The Pune-born opener, a consistent Maharashtra performer, dazzled with a maiden IPL ton (101* off 69 vs Rajasthan Royals), 4 fifties, 64 fours, and 23 sixes in elegant fashion.His maturity fueled CSK’s fourth title triumph, securing an INR 6 crore retention for 2022 and the Emerging Player accolade in a campaign of poised dominance.
15. Jos Butler- Rajasthan Royals 2022
In the 2022 IPL season, Jos Buttler lit up the tournament for Rajasthan Royals, securing the Orange Cap with a staggering 863 runs in 17 matches at an average of 57.53 and a strike rate of 149.05.
The England opener’s fireworks included 4 centuries (joint-most in a season with Kohli’s 2016 record), 4 fifties, a high of 116 off 65 vs Delhi Capitals, 83 fours, and 45 sixes, nearly eclipsing Virat Kohli’s all-time 973-run mark. Buttler’s explosive consistency powered RR to the playoffs as runners-up (lost final to GT), earning him Player of the Tournament honors in a campaign of boundary-hitting mastery.
16. Shubhman Gill- Gujrat Titans 2023
Shubman Gill’s virtuoso 2023 IPL performance etched his name in history, as the Gujarat Titans opener seized the Orange Cap with 890 runs in 17 matches at an average of 59.33 and strike rate of 157.80—the second-highest single-season total ever.
The opener’s brilliance featured 3 centuries (including a playoff-record 129 off 60 vs Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2), 4 fifties, a high of 129, 85 fours, and 33 sixes, breaking barriers as the youngest to 800+ runs.Gill’s poise powered GT to back-to-back finals (lost to CSK), earning him Most Valuable Player honors in a campaign that solidified his stardom.
17. Virat Kohli- Royal Challengers Bengaluru 2024
Virat Kohli reclaimed the Orange Cap in the 2024 IPL season, amassing 741 runs in 15 matches at an average of 61.75 and a strike rate of 154.69 for Royal Challengers Bangalore.
The talismanic batter’s resurgence featured 1 century (113* off 72 vs Rajasthan Royals), 5 fifties, 66 fours, and 22 sixes, including gritty knocks like 92 off 47 vs Punjab Kings, powering RCB’s late playoff charge. Kohli’s vintage form, with 8 Man of the Match awards across his career peak, guided RCB to the Eliminator despite a season of inconsistency, marking his record-extending fourth Orange Cap triumph.
18. Sai Sudarshan- Gujarat Titans 2025
Sai Sudharsan claimed the IPL 2025 Orange Cap as Gujarat Titans’ rising sensation, scoring 759 runs in 15 matches at an average of 55.29 and a strike rate of 148.92, edging out Suryakumar Yadav and Virat Kohli.
The young opener’s poise featured a century, multiple fifties, and boundary-laden consistency, powering GT’s campaign while becoming the youngest-ever recipient of the award. Sudharsan’s breakthrough cemented his stardom, blending flair and temperament to outshine veterans in a season that highlighted his meteoric ascent.
Facts and Records related to the Orange Cap
- Virat Kohli holds the record for most runs in a single IPL season (973 in 2016) and most Orange Caps (4: 2016, 2024, plus two others implied).
- Chris Gayle is the only player with back-to-back Orange Caps (2011-2012) and hit a record 59 sixes in 2012, more than many teams.
- Shubman Gill’s 890 runs in 2023 rank second-highest ever, with 3 centuries, including IPL playoff-record 129 off 60 balls.
- Kane Williamson (2018) is the only non-opener Orange Cap winner and the first captain with 400+ runs that season.
- Jos Buttler (2022) tied Kohli’s record with 4 centuries in a season, scoring 863 runs—the third-highest single-season tally.
- Sachin Tendulkar (2010) was the first Indian Orange Cap winner; KL Rahul (2020) fourth Indian, with the highest score of IPL 132*.
- Robin Uthappa (2014) is unique: the only player to win Orange Cap and IPL title same season; record 8 consecutive 40+ scores.
- David Warner won 3 Orange Caps (2015, 2017, 2019), scoring 692 in just 12 matches in 2019 before the World Cup exit.
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (2021) earned CSK retention (INR 6 crore) post-Orange Cap; Sai Sudharsan (2025) youngest-ever winner.
- Shaun Marsh (2008) first-ever winner as uncapped buy (INR 12 lakhs); Michael Hussey (2013) tied Gayle’s 733-run season high.
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Conclusion: David Warner Has Won 3 Orange Caps Most by Any Player
The IPL Orange Cap race encapsulates the league’s evolution from Shaun Marsh’s bargain breakthrough in 2008 to Sai Sudharsan’s youthful dominance in 2025, blending veterans like Virat Kohli’s record 973-run masterpiece and David Warner’s three triumphs with explosive icons such as Chris Gayle’s six-hitting frenzy and modern stars like Shubman Gill. This honor not only crowns the season’s top run-scorer but symbolizes consistency, innovation, and game-changing impact, fueling rivalries and crowning champions while spotlighting openers’ supremacy—save Kane Williamson’s outlier—across 18 thrilling editions
