IPL Orange Cap Winners List (2008-2024) & 2025 Contenders

It would not be an exaggeration to state that the Indian Premier League revolutionised domestic 20-over cricket and set benchmarks for superstar performances.

One of these accolades is the IPL’s Orange Cap, which is worn by the tournament’s top run-scorer and has become a symbol of batting at the top level.

The cap has been worn by icons of the game and the league itself, including Chris Gayle, David Warner and Virat Kohli, emphasising its prestige and legacy.

SportsBoom has looked back at all the Orange Cap IPL winners from 2008 to 2024, and also looks at who could add their names to this elite list in 2025.

What is the Orange Cap in IPL?

The Orange Cap is awarded to the batsman with the most runs in an Indian Premier League season. Due to the run-scoring charts changing match-by-match, the cap is often rotated throughout the campaign, with the winner formally receiving the cap as an award at the end of the IPL season.

Shaun Marsh (2008)

In the first edition of the IPL, the Kings XI Punjab opener missed four initial matches for his franchise, yet finished as the highest run-scorer. He scored 616 runs in 11 games at an average of 68.44 and a strike rate of 139.68. Marsh’s innings of 115 against Rajasthan Royals in the final group-stage match of the season led KXIP to finish second on the points table.

Matthew Hayden (2009)

Another big-hitting Australian had the honour of finishing as the IPL’s leading scorer the following year, as Chennai Super Kings left-hander Hayden scored 572 runs in 12 matches at an average of 52 and a strike rate of 144.81. He hit five half-centuries that season as his team ended as semi-finalists.

Sachin Tendulkar (2010)

Sachin Tendulkar of the Mumbai Indians//Getty Images

The former Mumbai Indians captain became the first Indian player to win the Orange Cap, scoring 618 runs in 15 innings in the 2010 campaign. Tendulkar’s five centuries during the season helped MI finish at the top of the table, before they lost to eventual champions Chennai Super Kings in that year’s final.

Chris Gayle (2011, 2012)

Gayle, who had played for Kolkata Knight Riders previously, found himself with no bidders in the 2011 auction and was drafted in as a replacement for Dirk Nannes in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad. He made the opportunity count, scoring a century against his former side and another ton later in the season, ending with 608 runs at an average of 68.55. He continued that solid form in 2012, notching 733 runs in 15 matches, including seven 50s and a superb knock of 128 not out against Delhi Daredevils. Gayle also became the first player to win multiple Orange Caps, achieving the feat in successive seasons.

Michael Hussey (2013)

The Chennai Super Kings veteran equalled Gayle’s record for runs scored in a single IPL season, amassing 733 in 17 innings. He struck six half-centuries, with a best score of 95 while opening the innings against Kolkata Knight Riders. Hussey’s performance helped his team finish at the top of the table, with Mumbai Indians handing CSK a defeat in the final.

Robin Uthappa (2014)

The opening batsman featured for Kolkata Knight Riders in 2014, his fourth team in seven seasons of IPL. Uthappa was in supreme form that year, smashing 660 runs in 16 matches and even setting a world record for scoring more than 40-plus runs in 10 consecutive innings. His contributions helped KKR win their second Indian Premier League title.

David Warner (2015, 2017, 2018)

Initially starting off at Delhi Daredevils, the Australian left-hander was acquired by Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2014 and was appointed as the captain by the next season. Warner led by example as an opening batsman, scoring 562 runs in 14 innings with seven 50s to claim the Orange Cap. He was denied the prize in 2016 by finishing second on the standings, despite a massive 848 runs, but won the cap back in 2017 with 641 runs (four 50s and one 100). Warner dominated the charts again in 2019, scoring 692 runs with eight half-centuries and an unbeaten 100 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, to become the only three-time Orange Cap winner.

Virat Kohli (2016, 2024)

Virat Kohli of Royal Challengers Bengaluru//Getty Images

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru veteran became only the third Indian batsman to claim the Orange Cap after an unstoppable 2016 season, smashing a record 973 runs at an average of 81 and a strike rate of 152. Kohli also scored four centuries in that season, a milestone that was equalled by Jos Buttler six years later. The RCB opener achieved the Orange Cap feat again in 2024, becoming the first Indian to win the award twice. He scored 741 runs in 15 matches that year, averaging 61.75 with a century and five half-centuries, top-scoring with an unbeaten 113* against Rajasthan Royals.

Kane Williamson (2018)

The New Zealander power hitter replaced David Warner as Sunrisers Hyderabad captain in the 2018 edition and took the team to the final, scoring 735 runs in 17 games at an average of 52.5, with eight half-centuries. Williamson also struck a massive 28 sixes and 64 fours in that campaign, scoring at a strike rate of 142.44.

KL Rahul (2020)

In the 2020 season, the former Kings XI Punjab captain scored 670 runs at an average of 55.83. He also made the highest individual total by an Indian in IPL history with his unbeaten 132 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Rahul’s great form continued in the next two seasons, scoring over 600 runs each time.

Ruturaj Gaikwad (2021)

After showcasing his skills in the 2020 season, Gaikwad got a full season in the CSK playing XI in 2021 and was the Emerging Player of the Season and the Orange Cap winner, scoring 635 runs and averaging 45.35 at a strike rate of 136.26. He scored a century against Rajasthan Royals and also four half-centuries. His performance paved his way for him to receive an India call-up in July that year.

Jos Buttler (2022)

Rajasthan Royals' Jos Buttler//Getty Images

The experienced English opening batsman set the stage on fire in IPL 2022, scoring 863 runs at a strike rate of 149 and an average of 57.53. Buttler also equalled Kohli’s record for the most centuries in a single IPL season, with four tons including a top score of 116 against Delhi Capitals. His efforts helped Rajasthan Royals reach the finals, where they lost to Gujarat Titans.

Shubman Gill (2023)

The Gujarat Titans opener, who is currently the captain, amassed 890 runs in the 2023 IPL and won the Orange Cap. His tally is only second to Kohli’s record for the most runs in a season, having averaged 59.33 at a strike rate of 157.8, including three centuries. Gill also scored 129 in just 60 balls in Qualifier 2 - the highest individual score in any of the playoff matches.

Interesting Facts and Records About the Orange Cap

It’s worth noting that the Orange Cap recipient could often be seen as an indicator of team success in the IPL:

• In 2008, Shaun Marsh won the prize and Kings XI Punjab ended as semi-finalists
• Matthew Hayden won the Orange Cap in 2009 and Chennai Super Kings reached the semi-final
• Mumbai Indians were runners-up in 2010, with Sachin Tendulkar their top run-scorer
• Chris Gayle was the Orange Cap recipient in 2011 and Royal Challengers Bengaluru were runners-up that year
• Michael Hussey’s individual success mirrored CSK finishing as runners-up in 2013
• Kolkata Knight Riders won the title in 2014, with Robin Uthappa being the IPL’s top scorer
• David Warner won the Orange Cap in 2017 and 2019 and Sunrisers Hyderabad reached the playoffs both years
• Emulating his 2016 success, where RCB ended as runners-up, Virat Kohli was the IPL 2024 Orange Cap winner and saw his team into the playoffs
• In 2018, Kane Williamson was the award recipient and SRH ended as runners-up
• CSK won the title in 2021, the same year Ruturaj Gaikwad claimed the Orange Cap
• Jos Buttler scored the most runs in 2022 as Rajasthan Royals reached the IPL final
• Gujarat Titans were losing finalists in 2023 and Shubman Gill was the Orange Cap winner

Only three players have won the Orange Cap more than once: David Warner stands alone with three awards, while Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli have won it twice.

Kohli holds the record for the most runs in a single IPL season, scoring 973 runs in 2016, and also boasts the highest average of Orange Cap winners, thanks to his groundbreaking 81.08 in the same season.

As the only multiple-time winner of the award still playing actively, could Virat Kohli’s Orange Cap 2024 success be extended to a record-equalling third time?