IPL 2026 Orange Cap

The Orange Cap is a prestigious accolade in the IPL, awarded annually to the batsman who accumulates the most runs during a season. Introduced in the inaugural 2008 season, it has since become a symbol of batting excellence. The cap is passed among players as the tournament progresses, resting finally with the top run-scorer at the season's end. The Orange Cap is a prestigious accolade in the IPL, awarded annually to the batsman who accumulates the most runs during a season. Introduced in the inaugural 2008 season, it has since become a symbol of batting excellence. The cap is passed among players as the tournament progresses, resting finally with the top run-scorer at the season's end. Notable past recipients include Shaun Marsh (2008), Matthew Hayden (2009), Sachin Tendulkar (2010), and Chris Gayle, who clinched it twice in 2011 and 2012. David Warner holds the record for the most Orange Caps, having secured it three times (2015, 2017, 2019). In the 2026 season, Gujarat Titans' Sai Sudharsan won the award for scoring a staggering 759 runs in a season that had plenty to offer for the bowlers. The Orange Cap not only highlights individual brilliance but also significantly impacts a team's performance in the IPL. Batsmen who consistently score high runs provide their teams with strong foundations, often leading to match victories and improved standings. As the 2026 season approaches, fans eagerly anticipate which player will emerge as the leading run-scorer. Will established stars like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma win it or will new stars emerge? The Orange Cap is awarded to the batter who scores the most runs during a season. It is worn by the leading run-scorer at any given point in the tournament. If two batters have the same number of runs, the one with the higher strike rate is ranked higher and holds the Orange Cap. Yes, the Orange Cap can change hands during a match if another batter overtakes the current highest run-scorer. Virat Kohli is the leading run-scorer in IPL history, with 8,661 runs before the 2026 season.