Players With Most Orange Caps in IPL History (2008 to 2025)
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been a festival of cricket with a blend of talent, technique and temperament. While bowlers fight for the Purple Cap, batsmen chase one of the most coveted prizes in T20 cricket, the Orange Cap. Awarded to the player who scores the most runs in a season, the Orange Cap celebrates match-winning performances. Over the years, legends like David Warner, Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli have crowned themselves with this cap, rewriting IPL history.
In this detailed blog, we explore the players with the most Orange Caps in IPL history (2008-2025) and uncover key batting records.
What is the Orange Cap in IPL?
The Orange Cap is awarded to the batsman who scores the most runs during the Indian Premier League each season. Introduced in the initial edition of 2008, the cap is a symbol of batting supremacy. The player who leads the run chart wears the cap during the match, and it is finally awarded after the season ends.
Key rules:
- Awarded to the player who scores the most runs in the season.
- Live updates throughout the tournament after each match.
- In case of a tie, the batsman with the higher strike rate wins.
- All matches including the group stage and playoffs are included.
The Orange Cap not only signifies big scores, but also consistency under pressure. They can deliver match after match, season after season.
Orange Cap Winners in IPL by Year (2008-2025)
Here is the complete list of Orange Cap winners from 2008 to 2025, from Shaun Marsh’s magical debut to the rise of Sai Sudarshan in 2025.
| 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 Bangalore | 741 |
| 2025 | Sai Sudharsan | Gujarat Titans | 759 |
Players with the most Orange Caps in IPL history (2008-2025)
Consistency is rare in the IPL but some exceptional players have managed to stay at the top multiple times. These names have dominated not only the scorecard but also the IPL history books.
| Player | Orange Caps Won | Years Won |
|---|---|---|
| David Warner | 3 | 2015, 2017, 2019 |
| Chris Gayle | 2 | 2011, 2012 |
| Virat Kohli | 2 | 2016, 2024 |
| Shubman Gill | 1 | 2023 |
| Jos Buttler | 1 | 2022 |
| Shaun Marsh | 1 | 2008 |
David Warner stands tall as the most successful batsman in IPL history when it comes to Orange Caps. With three titles (2015, 2017 and 2019), Warner has redefined consistency and aggression, becoming a true IPL icon.
Legendary seasons by Orange Cap winners
Some seasons go beyond statistics as they redefine what is possible in T20 cricket. Let’s revisit the most iconic Orange Cap winning campaigns.
1. Virat Kohli: 973 runs (2016, RCB)
The most iconic IPL season.
- Matches: 16
- Runs: 973
- 100/50: 4/7
- Average: 81.08
- Strike rate: 152.03
Kohli’s 2016 was a year of pure batting brilliance, with 4 centuries, multiple match-winners and RCB’s journey to the final. His record of 973 runs in a single season remains intact in 2025.
2. David Warner: 3 Orange Caps (2015, 2017, 2019)
Warner is the undisputed king of consistency. In three seasons, he has helped SRH stay among the top teams by combining aggression and game awareness.
- 2017: 641 runs, took SRH to the playoffs.
- 2019: 692 runs, ended with a strike rate of 143+.
- 2015: 562 runs, showed unmatched reliability.
His consistency and leadership make him the most influential overseas batsman in IPL history.
3. Chris Gayle: 2011 & 2012 (RCB)
When Gayle made his IPL debut for RCB in 2011, the league changed forever.
- 2011: 608 runs in just 12 matches, strike rate 183+.
- 2012: 733 runs, 59 sixes, absolute dominance.
Gayle’s two consecutive Orange Caps showcased his ability to destroy bowling attacks, making him the best T20 entertainer.
4. Jos Buttler: 2022 (RR)
Buttler’s 2022 season was similar to Kohli’s 2016.
- Runs: 863
- Hundreds: 4
- Average: 57.53
He led Rajasthan Royals to the final in a series of brilliant and devastating innings. His 4 centuries in a single season equalled Kohli’s all-time record.
5. Shubman Gill: 2023 (GT)
A new era of Indian batting began with Gill’s 890-run masterclass.
- Average: 59.33
- Strike rate: 157.80
Gill’s combination of timing, placement and calm nature made him a world-class T20 opener.
IPL Orange Cap Records and Statistics (2008-2025)
Fun facts about the Orange Cap
- First winner (2008): Shaun Marsh – 616 runs in 11 matches.
- First Indian winner: Sachin Tendulkar (2010).
- Only 3 players with multiple Orange Caps: David Warner, Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli.
- Most 50+ scores in a single season: 11 by Virat Kohli (2016).
- Most runs in a season for a losing team: Shubman Gill (890 runs, GT finished runners-up in 2023).
Conclusion
The Orange Cap is more than just a piece of headgear as it is a crown earned through courage, talent and consistency. From Shaun Marsh’s 2008 achievement to Sai Sudarshan’s 2025 success, new batting stars have emerged with each season.
However, players like David Warner, Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle stand out for their unparalleled dominance. Their names are always etched in IPL history as the true kings of run-scoring. So, while every IPL brings new faces, the quest for the Orange Cap continues to define batting greatness in the world’s biggest T20 league.
Read More: Players With Most Purple Caps in IPL History (2008 to 2025)
FAQs
Q1. Who has won the most Orange Caps in IPL history?
David Warner holds the record with three Orange Caps (2015, 2017, 2019), all for Sunrisers Hyderabad. His consistency across many seasons, coupled with a strike rate above 140, is a testament to his consistency.
Q2. Which player has scored the most half-centuries in an Orange Cap-winning season?
Virat Kohli (2016) holds the record with 7 half-centuries and 4 centuries during his record-breaking 973-run season.
Q3. What is the highest run total by an Orange Cap winner in a single IPL season?
This record is held by Virat Kohli with 973 runs in IPL 2016, which includes four centuries and seven half-centuries. It is one of the best T20 seasons ever, which is still unmatched after nine years.
Q4. Who was the youngest and oldest Orange Cap winner?
Youngest : Ruturaj Gaikwad (24 years, 2021).
Oldest : Matthew Hayden (37 years, 2009).
This shows how both experience and youth can flourish under the pressure of IPL.
Q5. Who won the Orange Cap in IPL 2025?
Gujarat Titans’ Sai Sudarshan won the Orange Cap in IPL 2025, scoring 759 runs in 16 matches. His consistent top-order performances made him one of India’s brightest batting talents.
