Every year when the Indian Premier League (IPL) starts, everyone's focus turns to the leading run-scorer in the tournament, who dons the Orange Cap. Players competing in the IPL are fully aware of the significance of the Orange Cap, as the IPL is one of the world's most challenging T20 leagues. Contenders for this cap often go on to represent their national teams, and their market value increases. Let's take a closer look at the the players who have emerged as early contenders in the Orange Cap race.
1. Heinrich Klaasen (SRH): Heinrich Klaasen currently holds the Orange Cap. He has amassed 143 runs from 2 matches with a strike rate of 226.98. He has scored two half-centuries and is also the leading six-hitter with 15 sixes to his name.
2. Virat Kohli (RCB): Indian star batter Virat Kohli is in second position with 98 runs. In RCB’s last match against Punjab Kings (PBKS), he scored 77 runs off 49 balls. Kohli has a strike rate of 142.02.
3. Abhishek Sharma (SRH): Indian young batter Abhishek Sharma has scored 95 runs from a couple of matches. He boasts a strike rate of 226.19. Against Mumbai Indians, he scored 63 runs off 23 balls and smashed 7 sixes in his innings.
4. Tilak Varma (MI): Tilak Varma is in fourth position with 89 runs from 2 matches MI has played. He scored a half-century against SRH in the chase of 277 runs.
5. Sam Curran (PBKS): England’s all-rounder Sam Curran is at No. 5 with 86 runs from two matches. He scored a half-century against the Delhi Capitals in their first match of this season. He has a strike rate of 134.37.
6. Shivam Dube (CSK): CSK’s power hitter Shivam Dube is in the sixth spot for the Orange Cap with 85 runs to his name. He scored a half-century in their last match against Gujarat Titans (GT), notching 51 runs from just 23 balls.
7. Rachin Ravindra (CSK): New Zealand’s young southpaw Rachin Ravindra is in the seventh spot. He made his IPL debut for CSK in their first match. Although he didn’t score a half-century, he scored 46 runs off just 20 balls, providing a promising start for CSK in the powerplay. Overall, he has 83 runs in 2 matches.
8. Sanju Samson (RR): Rajasthan Royals' captain Sanju Samson is also on the list, having scored a half-century against LSG in their first match of the season. He has a strike rate of 157.69. He has 82 runs in one match played so far.
9. Sai Sudharsan (GT): Tamil Nadu’s young all-rounder Sai Sudharsan has been impressive with his batting. Although he has not scored a half-century this season, he has 82 runs in 2 matches.
10. Rohit Sharma (MI): Indian Captain Rohit Sharma is in the tenth spot for the Orange Cap with 69 runs from 2 matches. Although he hasn’t scored a half-century, he has made runs with a strike rate of 168.29 and provided a good start for MI in the powerplay.
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