ORANGE CAP
TRACKER 2026
The battle for batting supremacy is heating up in India! Who will conquer the season and wear the legendary Orange Cap? Explore stats, customize the leaderboard, and support your favorite masters.
Orange Cap Record Holders
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LEGACY OF THE ORANGE CAP
Since the inaugural IPL season in 2008, the Orange Cap has represented the pinnacle of batting excellence in the Indian Premier League. Awarded to the tournament's leading run-scorer, it has become a symbol of consistency, impact and sustained performance throughout the high-pressure T20 season.
From Shaun Marsh's 616 runs in the inaugural 2008 season to Virat Kohli's record-breaking 973 runs in 2016, the Orange Cap has been claimed by some of the biggest names in IPL history. The 2026 season added another remarkable chapter when Rajasthan Royals' Vaibhav Sooryavanshi finished as the leading run-scorer with 776 runs in 16 matches.
Sooryavanshi's 2026 campaign was particularly extraordinary. The 15-year-old batter recorded a batting average of 48.50 and an astonishing strike rate of 237.30, with one century and five fifties. His highest score was 103, while his 72 sixes set a new IPL single-season record. He also became the youngest-ever Orange Cap winner and collected the IPL 2026 Most Valuable Player and Emerging Player awards.
Behind Sooryavanshi, Gujarat Titans' Shubman Gill finished with 732 runs, while Sai Sudharsan was also among the leading run-scorers. The 2026 IPL season featured 74 matches between 10 teams from March 28 to May 31, making Sooryavanshi's remarkable consistency across 16 innings even more impressive.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What is the Orange Cap in the IPL?
The Orange Cap is an individual achievement awarded to the batsman who scores the most runs in an IPL season. Batsmen’s runs are updated continuously throughout the tournament, and the highest-scoring player tops the leaderboard. At the end of the season, the highest-scoring batsman officially becomes the Orange Cap winner.
2. Who won the first Orange Cap in IPL history?
The first IPL Orange Cap was won by Shaun Marsh in 2008. He scored 616 runs with the bat for Kings XI Punjab. His performance established the Orange Cap’s significance in the very first IPL season. The award subsequently became recognised for the most successful run-scorer of each season.
3. Who holds the record for the most runs in an IPL season?
Virat Kohli holds the record for scoring the most runs in an IPL season. He scored 973 runs for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2016. He also scored four centuries in this campaign. This record is among the most impressive individual batting achievements in IPL history.
4. Which player has won the most Orange Caps in IPL history?
David Warner has won the most Orange Caps in IPL history, with three. He achieved this feat for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2015, 2017 and 2019. His consistent top run-scorer in these three seasons demonstrates his batting consistency and ability to perform at a high level for extended periods.
5. In which years did David Warner win the Orange Cap?
David Warner won the Orange Cap in 2015, 2017 and 2019. He represented Sunrisers Hyderabad in all three seasons. He scored 562 runs in 2015, 641 runs in 2017 and 692 runs in 2019. He created a special record in the IPL by becoming the top run-scorer in three different seasons.
6. How many runs are required to win the Orange Cap?
There is no set run limit in IPL to win the Orange Cap. The award is given to the batsman who scores the most runs throughout the season. Therefore, the winner’s runs can vary from season to season. Several factors such as the number of teams, number of matches and performance of players affect the final run tally.
7. Are playoff runs included in the Orange Cap race?
Yes, runs scored during the IPL season count towards the Orange Cap race. In this, runs scored in the league stage as well as the playoffs are also counted. Therefore, a batsman can perform brilliantly in the knockout matches to increase his total run count and strengthen his position in the final leaderboard of the season.
8. Can a player win the Orange Cap more than once?
Yes, a player can win the Orange Cap multiple times in his career. To do this, he must score the most runs in different seasons. David Warner is a prime example of this by winning the award three times. Batsmen like Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli have also scored prolific runs in more than one season.
9. What is the significance of the Orange Cap in the IPL?
The Orange Cap reflects a batsman’s consistent run-scoring throughout a season. In T20 cricket, batsmen need to score quickly and consistently. Therefore, the Orange Cap is not just a recognition of big innings, but also a testament to effective and consistent batting over a long tournament.
10. Is the Orange Cap awarded in the WPL as well?
Yes, the Orange Cap is awarded to the highest run-scorer in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). The WPL was launched in 2013, and since then, the award has been given to the most successful run-scorer of the season. This award recognizes and honors players who consistently perform well in women’s cricket.