Scoring runs is the most important part of the game called cricket. Runs win matches, it’s as simple as that. Indian Premier League or IPL appreciates maximum run score in every season in the form of Orange Cap. The Orange Cap winner in IPL is different from the rest. It is worn by the highest scorer in the entire IPL season. At the end of the tournament, this special orange cap in IPL is awarded to the person who ends the season with the most runs on the board. If two batsmen score the same number of runs, in that case, the player with the higher strike rate is awarded the Orange Cap. We all know that cricket is a team sport, and a team wins when every player contributes, but it is equally important to give credit to individual talent. Here is the complete list of Orange Cap in IPL winners from 2008 to 2023.
Shawn Marsh (KXIP) – 2008
In the very first year 2008, Shaun Marsh of Australia became the highest run-scorer and became the first winner of Orange Cap. He scored 616 runs in 11 innings while playing for the Kings XI Punjabs team and averaged 68.44 with the bat. He scored 1 century and 5 half-centuries for the team with a highest score of 115.
| Season | 2008 |
| Team | Kings XI Punjabs |
| Innings | 11 |
| Runs | 616 |
| Highest | 115 |
| Average | 68.44 |
| Strike Rate | 139.68 |
| 50 / 100 | 5 / 1 |
| 4s / 6s | 59 / 26 |
Matthew Hayden (CSK) – 2009
Chennai Super King (CSK) have undoubtedly been one of the most consistent teams in the history of the Indian Premier League. Hayden’s ability to toss the ball out of the park from the very first over helped him score 572 run in 12 innings, making him the highest run-scorer in the tournament’s second season.
| Season | 2009 |
| Team | Chennai Super Kings |
| Innings | 12 |
| Runs | 572 |
| Highest | 89 |
| Average | 52.00 |
| Strike Rate | 144.81 |
| 50 / 100 | 5 / 0 |
| 4s / 6s | 60 / 22 |
Sachin Tendulkar (MI) – 2010
Regarded by many as the God of Cricket, Sachin Tendulkar became the first Indian batsman to win the Orange Cap when he scored 618 runs in 15 matches for his home franchise – Mumbai Indians in 2010. The right-handed batsman played an important role. On your team’s journey to the finals. However, Mumbai Indians were unable to win the trophy as they were defeated by Chennai Super Kings in the final.
| Season | 2010 |
| Team | Mumbai Indians |
| Innings | 15 |
| Runs | 618 |
| Highest | 89* |
| Average | 47.53 |
| Strike Rate | 132.61 |
| 50 / 100 | 5 / 0 |
| 4s / 6s | 86 / 3 |
Chris Gayle (RCB) – 2011
Gayle managed to end the 2011 season with an exceptional strike rate of 183 and a 608 run in 12 innings. “Six Machines” was chosen as the last-minute replacement for Dirk Nance and managed to be the hero in the eyes of the crowd.
| Season | 2011 |
| Team | Royal Challengers Bangalore |
| Innings | 12 |
| Runs | 608 |
| Highest | 107 |
| Average | 67.55 |
| Strike Rate | 183.13 |
| 50 / 100 | 3 / 2 |
| 4s / 6s | 57 / 44 |
Chris Gayle (RCB) – 2012
In 2012, once again, Gayle Storm managed to wipe out most of the rival teams. By now, Gayle had already garnered the reputation of a ‘big hitter’ and every time he stepped on the field, the crowd expected him to show off his prowess. He scored 733 runs in 14 innings of this season. His innings of 128 runs in just 62 balls against Delhi Daredevils was very shocking.
| Season | 2012 |
| Team | Royal Challengers Bangalore |
| Innings | 14 |
| Runs | 733 |
| Highest | 128* |
| Average | 61.08 |
| Strike Rate | 160.74 |
| 50 / 100 | 7 / 1 |
| 4s / 6s | 46 / 59 |
Michael Hussey (CSK) – 2013
While playing for CSK in 2013, Mike Hussey scored the same runs Gayle scored last year. The left-handed batsman scored 6 fifties in 17 innings with a high score of 95. He was instrumental in taking the team to the finals.
| Season | 2013 |
| Team | Chennai Super Kings |
| Innings | 17 |
| Runs | 733 |
| Highest | 95 |
| Average | 52.35 |
| Strike Rate | 129.50 |
| 50 / 100 | 6 / 0 |
| 4s / 6s | 81 / 17 |
Robin Uthappa (KKR) – 2014
Robin Uthappa became the second Indian after Sachin Tendulkar to achieve this feat. He had eight 40+ scores this season. KKR won the 2014 title riding on Uthappa’s back. His 83 runs from 51 against RCB was one of his best innings. Uthappa scored 660 runs in this entire season of the tournament.
| Season | 2014 |
| Team | Kolkata Knight Riders |
| Innings | 16 |
| Runs | 660 |
| Highest | 83* |
| Average | 44.00 |
| Strike Rate | 137.78 |
| 50 / 100 | 5 / 0 |
| 4s / 6s | 74 / 18 |
David Warner (SRH) – 2015
David Warner carried on his international form in the IPL in the 2015 edition and became a household name in India with his explosive batting style. Warner scored 562 runs, however Sunrisers Hyderabad failed to qualify for the playoff stage.
| Season | 2015 |
| Team | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| Innings | 14 |
| Runs | 562 |
| Highest | 91 |
| Average | 43.23 |
| Strike Rate | 156.54 |
| 50 / 100 | 7 / 0 |
| 4s / 6s | 65 / 21 |
Virat Kohli (RCB) – 2016
In the year 2016, RCB captain Virat Kohli won the Orange Cap. In the season, Kohli became the first player in IPL history to score more than 900 runs in a season. He ended the tournament with a total of 973 runs. Kohli played 16 matches in the season. Though team RCB fell at the final hurdle, Virat Kohli had an IPL to remember. He scored 7 fifties and four centuries. He hit a total of 83 fours and 38 sixes.
| Season | 2016 |
| Team | Royal Challengers Bangalore |
| Innings | 16 |
| Runs | 973 |
| Highest | 113 |
| Average | 81.08 |
| Strike Rate | 152.03 |
| 50 / 100 | 7 / 4 |
| 4s / 6s | 83 / 38 |
David Warner (SRH) – 2017
David Warner has been one of the most successful batsmen in the Indian Premier League. After guiding Sunrisers Hyderabad to the IPL trophy in 2016, Warner continued his stellar run the following season by winning his second Orange Cap. He ended the season with 646 runs at an average of 58.27.
| Season | 2017 |
| Team | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| Innings | 14 |
| Runs | 641 |
| Highest | 126 |
| Average | 58.27 |
| Strike Rate | 141.81 |
| 50 / 100 | 4 / 1 |
| 4s / 6s | 63 / 26 |
Kane Williamson (SRH) – 2018
Kane Williamson of New Zealand and the Sunrisers Hyderabad captain were the winners of the Orange Cap in 2018. With his scintillating innings, he certainly repaid the Sunrisers management for believing in him. His batting brilliance almost won a second title for Hyderabad as he led his team to the final against the mighty Chennai Super Kings. He played a huge innings of 735 runs in 17 innings. Kane hit eight half-centuries. He also hit 64 fours and 28 sixes in the 2018 season. Such stellar batting performances earned him his maiden Orange Cap Award title in 2018.
| Season | 2018 |
| Team | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| Innings | 17 |
| Runs | 735 |
| Highest | 84 |
| Average | 52.50 |
| Strike Rate | 142.44 |
| 50 / 100 | 8 / 0 |
| 4s / 6s | 64 / 28 |
David Warner (SRH) – 2019
After 2015 and 2017, David Warner won the Orange Cap for the third time in 2019. His unbeaten century against RCB was the climax of the tournament. Even though he left the tournament midway due to prior national commitments, he scored 692 runs in the 12 innings he played.
| Season | 2019 |
| Team | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| Innings | 12 |
| Runs | 692 |
| Highest | 100* |
| Average | 69.20 |
| Strike Rate | 143.87 |
| 50 / 100 | 8 / 1 |
| 4s / 6s | 57 / 21 |
KL Rahul (PBKS) – 2020
KL Rahul was made the captain of Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in IPL 2020. The flamboyant batsman led the team in 14 matches by scoring a total of 670 runs at an average of 55.83. Rahul failed to take his team to the play-off stage but impressed many with his batting and captaincy skills.
| Season | 2020 |
| Team | Punjab Kings |
| Innings | 14 |
| Runs | 670 |
| Highest | 132* |
| Average | 55.83 |
| Strike Rate | 129.34 |
| 50 / 100 | 5 / 1 |
| 4s / 6s | 58 / 23 |
Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK) – 2021
The 24-year-old Gaikwad became the youngest player to win the Orange Cap, ending the season with 635 runs. Du Plessis fell two runs short of Gaikwad after being dismissed for 86 off 59 balls in the final against Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday.
| Season | 2021 |
| Team | Chennai Super Kings |
| Innings | 16 |
| Runs | 635 |
| Highest | 101* |
| Average | 45.35 |
| Strike Rate | 136.26 |
| 50 / 100 | 4 / 1 |
| 4s / 6s | 64 / 23 |
Jos Buttler (RR) – 2022
The last and latest addition to the list is Rajasthan Royals opener Jos Buttler who scored 863 runs and equaled Virat Kohli’s record of most centuries in a season which is 4 centuries. However, Kohli still holds the record for most runs in a season, with Buttler second.
| Season | 2022 |
| Team | Rajasthan Royal |
| Innings | 17 |
| Runs | 863 |
| Highest | 116 |
| Average | 57.53 |
| Strike Rate | 149.05 |
| 50 / 100 | 4 / 4 |
| 4s / 6s | 83 / 45 |
Shubhman Gill (GT) – 2023
Gujarat Titans opener Shubman Gill won the Orange Cap in IPL 2023 with 890 runs in 17 matches. He scored 4 fifties and 3 centuries. Gill was in top form throughout the tournament, scoring runs at a strike rate of 157.80. He was particularly impressive in the second half of the tournament, scoring 600 runs in his last 8 matches.
| Season | 2023 |
| Team | Gujarat Titans |
| Innings | 17 |
| Runs | 890 |
| Highest | 129 |
| Average | 59.33 |
| Strike Rate | 157.80 |
| 50 / 100 | 4 / 3 |
| 4s / 6s | 85 / 33 |
Virat Kohli (RCB) – 2024
In the IPL 2024 season, Virat Kohli is the Orange Cap winner for the second time in his illustrious career. His stellar performance saw him amass 741 runs in 15 matches, boasting an impressive average of 61.75 and a striking strike rate of 154.69.
| Season | 2024 |
| Team | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| Innings | 15 |
| Runs | 741 |
| Highest | 113* |
| Average | 61.75 |
| Strike Rate | 154.69 |
| 50 / 100 | 5 / 1 |
| 4s / 6s | 62 / 38 |
