Make runs, it is Indian Premier League (IPL) time – is Twenty20’s way of encouraging the batsmen to form feed whereas sun sparkles. Small question over the format which is skewed intensely in support of batsmen, who will once again see to use their bats to smack the white circle around amid the Indian summer.
The 14th edition of the IPL is in the second phase as we look back at orange cap holders in the history of the tournament so far:
2008 – Shaun Marsh, Kings XI Punjab - 616 runs at 66.84
The curtain-raising season of the IPL turned out to be a breakthrough year for Australia’s Shaun Marsh. The Western Australian left-handed batsman made quite an impression crushing a century and five half-centuries to light up the association. Marsh scored at solid strike-rate of 139.68 and went on to carve his title within the orange cap holders list. The victory within the IPL saw Swamp make limited overs debut for the national side within the same year.
2009 – Matthew Hayden, Chennai Super Kings - 572 runs at 52.00
With the IPL moving to South Africa, it wasn’t the best news for the Indian batsmen as only three batsmen finished in the top ten run-scorers, and only Suresh Raina in top eight. The conditions were exploited perfectly by Aussie great Mathew Hayden. On the back of five scores in excess of 50, the burly opener smashed 572 runs, becoming the second Australian to brag the rights for the orange cap.
2010 – Sachin Tendulkar, Mumbai Indians - 618 runs at 47.53
No shock there as Sachin Tendulkar went on to gotten to be the primary Indian to wear the orange cap at the conclusion of the IPL 2010. The year that saw Tendulkar roll back time as he went on to heap an amazing 1562 runs in Tests getting to be the highest run-scorer within the calendar year. The maestro too got to be the primary male player to score a double century in ODIs. He carried his purple fix and the bat with a bruised sweet spot to clinch top respects within the IPL. Tragically, he couldn’t see his group to the title losing to Chennai Super Kings in the finals.
Also Read | Most runs in a single IPL season in history
2011 – Chris Gayle, Royal Challengers Bangalore - 608 runs at 67.55
Called in as a late replacement for Dirk Nannes, Chris Gayle joined Royal Challengers Bangalore for the 2011 edition, after spending three ordinary years with KKR. Change in franchise resulted in change in fortunes for Gayle in the IPL, one that would be remembered for a long time. The explosive West Indian opener became a crowd favourite at Bangalore for his big-hitting prowess. The Jamaican roared his way to 608 runs from 12 innings including two centuries and three half-centuries.
2012 – Chris Gayle, Royal Challengers Bangalore - 733 runs at 61.08
As in the event that to say his fireworks in 2011 weren’t sufficient, the ‘Gaylestrom’ struck twice within the IPL for the second year in a push. Gayle’s brilliance saw him win a full contract with RCB ahead of the fourth version. Gayle breached the 700-run check to script his title within the chronicles of IPL. Gayle’s notoriety as power-hitter come to its crescendo in 2012. The juggernaut pounded one ton and seven fifties within the season.
2013 – Michael Hussey, Chennai Super kings - 733 runs at 52.35
Michael Hussey pipped ‘Universe Boss’ by 25 runs to claim the orange cap and halt Gayle from completing a hat-trick of the coveted prize at the end of the 2013 edition. Mr Cricket reiterated that age was no bar even in the youngest format of cricket, as the opener played an instrumental role in Chennai’s campaign with the team falling agonisingly short of the title in the finals. Hussey went on to slam six half-centuries in the season.
2014 – Robin Uthappa, Kolkata Knight Riders - 660 runs at 44.00
Robin Uthappa’s consistency in the seventh edition bore fruit as he topped the run charts in 2014 including a string of eight 40+ scores and five fifties. Uthappa became only the second Indian to win the Orange cap scoring. He forged a formidable opening combination with skipper Gautam Gambhir that inspired Kolkata Knight Riders to their second IPL title.
2015 – David Warner, Sunrisers Hyderabad - 562 runs at 43.23
David Warner set the stage on fire racking up seven half-centuries as he went on to compile 562 runs within the 2015 season. Another Australian, another left-hander to include on the top run-scorers list. The little dynamo along side Shikhar Dhawan shaped a strong organization together at the top of the order for the Sunrisers, but couldn’t catapult their group to the play-offs as they wrapped up 6th with 14 points within the eighth version.
2016 – Virat Kohli, Royal Challengers Bangalore - 973 runs at 81.08
No one other than Virat Kohli merited to wear the orange cap at the conclusion of 2016 season. Like he so frequently does in International cricket, the RCB captain went on smash one record after the other. Kohli's craving for runs saw him wrap up with Bradmanesque numbers with 973 runs in 16 games that were scored at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 152.03 counting four centuries – the foremost in a season – and seven fifties. The numbers will stand the test of time and in case there's anyone who can scale down the colossal figures set by Indian captain, it'll most likely be the man himself.
2017 – David Warner, Sunrisers Hyderabad - 646 runs at 58.27
Not difficult to fathom as to why Warner is rated so highly in the IPL and why he is the vital cog in the Hyderabad side. Despite amassing 848 runs in the ninth IPL season, Warner fell 125 runs short of who else, but Kohli. However, southpaw smashed 646 runs the following year and won his second orange cap in the space of three years. Unfortunately for Sunrisers Hyderabad, they will be without their talismanic opener for the upcoming season as he serves the yearlong ban that was handed to him for his involvement in ball tampering scandal in the third Test in South Africa by Cricket Australia.
2018 — Kane Williamson, Sunrisers Hyderabad - 735 runs at 52.50
Kane Williamson led the Sunrisers Hyderabad from the front after Warner had stepped down from the position due to the ball-tampering scandal that took place a month before the 2018 edition kicked off.
The New Zealand skipper was at his fluent best throughout the season, collecting 735 runs at an average of 52.50, slamming eight half-centuries along the way. His contributions with the bat, along with vital performances from the bowling unit, helped the then-defending champions reach the final for a second season running, before they were vanquished by Chennai Super Kings.
2019 — David Warner, Sunrisers Hyderabad - 692 runs at 69.20
The 2019 IPL saw Warner amass 692 runs from 12 matches at a stunning average of 69.20, smashing eighth half-centuries and an unbeaten 100 against Royal Challengers Bangalore in their third outing of the group stage — a game that is mainly remembered for the 185-run opening stand between Warner and Jonny Bairstow (114).
Warner, however, had to leave the SRH camp to join his Australia teammates to prepare for the World Cup campaign at the end of April, leaving the 2016 champions all the poorer for the remainder of their campaign. Sunrisers lost their last two group games (one in a super over), before losing to Delhi Capitals in the Eliminator by two wickets.
2020 — KL Rahul, Kings XI Punjab - 670 runs at 55.83
KXIP captain KL Rahul, the Orange Cap champ in IPL 2020, was in a alliance of his claim. His team fizzled to create the playoffs, and in spite of playing only 14 matches, the right-hander amassed 670 runs. Sample this: The in-form Shikhar Dhawan, second only to Rahul, played three more matches and however, wrapped up with 618 runs. Averaging 55.83, the in-vogue right-hander set elevated benchmarks with the bat, both for his colleagues and rivals. His best thump – 132 off 69 balls against RCB – was moreover the most noteworthy individual score of IPL 2020.
Also Read | Full List of Hat Tricks in IPL history
