The Indian Premier League is the most-watched T20 cricket league in the world. What largely contributes to its viewership and frenzy is the coming together of the world’s best cricketers in one tournament. Over the years, we have seen some of the most legendary bowlers and batters from across the world play the IPL, which in turn has given us some really exciting games. Lots of runs have been scored in the tournament since 2008, most of them at impressive strike rates. In the build-up to IPL 2022, let’s recall the winners of the orange cap each season.
2008 - Shaun Marsh, Punjab Kings
Australia’s Shaun Marsh became the first winner of IPL’s orange cap after scoring 616 runs in 2008 at an average and strike rate of 68.44 and 139.68. Playing for the Punjab Kings, the left-hander scored a century and five half-centuries that year, which includes a top score of 115 runs.
2009 - Matthew Hayden, Chennai Super Kings
For the second time in a row it was an Australian who won the orange cap in the IPL. Matthew Hayden scored 572 runs at an average and strike rate of 52 and 144.81 for CSK in 2009. This includes a century and five fifties.
2010 – Sachin Tendulkar, Mumbai Indians
The highest run-scorer in IPL 2010 was former India captain and one of the greatest to have played the game, Sachin Tendulkar. The Master Blaster scored 618 runs at an average and strike rate of 47.4 and 132.61, which includes five fifties.
2011 and 2012 – Chris Gayle, Royal Challengers Bangalore
Chris Gayle was in the form of his life in IPL 2011 and 2012, winning the orange cap both the years. He plundered more than 600 runs in both the seasons, at a strike rate of 183.13 and 160.74, respectively. Gayle, who has scored the most number of centuries in IPL history (six), decided against registering himself for the 2022 auction and will not be playing the tournament this year.
2013 – Michael Hussey, Chennai Super Kings
Michael Hussey won the orange cap in IPL 2013 after scoring 733 runs at an average and strike rate of 52.35 and 129.5 for CSK. This includes six fifties.
2014 - Robin Uthappa, Kolkata Knight Riders
Robin Uthappa played a crucial role in KKR lifting their second IPL trophy in 2014. The opening batter scored 660 runs at an average and strike rate of 44 and 137.78. He will be playing IPL 2022 for CSK after being brought back by the team in the recent auction.
2015 – David Warner, Sunrisers Hyderabad
David Warner, who was released by the Sunrisers ahead of the 2022 season, scored 562 runs in IPL 2015 at an average and strike rate of 43.23 and 156.54, including seven fifties. The swashbuckling Australian will be plying his trade for the Delhi Capitals this season.
2016 – Virat Kohli, Royal Challengers Bangalore
The 2016 season belonged to RCB captain Virat Kohli. He plundered a whopping 973 runs that season, including seven fifties and four centuries. All of those runs came at a strike rate of nearly 153.
2017 – David Warner, Sunrisers Hyderabad
David Warner equalled his record from 2015 in 2017, scoring 641 runs at an average and strike rate of 58.27 and 141.84, including four fifties and a century.
2018 – Kane Williamson, Sunrisers Hyderabad
Kane Williamson was the backbone of the Hyderabad team which lost the 2018 final to CSK. The New Zealander scored 735 runs at an average and strike rate of 52.5 and 142.44, which includes eight fifties.
2019 – David Warner, Sunrisers Hyderabad
The Australian won the orange cap for a record third time in 2019. Warner scored 692 runs at an average of almost 70 and strike rate of 143.87, including eight fifties and a century.
2020 – KL Rahul, Punjab Kings
KL Rahul was a cut above the rest in IPL 2020. Opening the batting for the Kings, he scored 670 runs at an average and strike rate of 55.83 and 12.34, which includes five centuries and a century. The right-hander will be playing for the Lucknow franchise this season.
2021 – Ruturaj Gaikwad, Chennai Super Kings
CSK opener Ruturaj Gaikwad amassed 635 runs in IPL 2021 to win the orange cap. Those runs include a century and four fifties, and came at an average and strike rate of 45.35 and 136.26. Gaikwad was retained by CSK for the 2022 season.
