The race for the Orange Cap in IPL 2024 heated up after the KKR versus PBKS clash on April 26. Sunil Narine, batting at the top of the order, smashed a quickfire 71 runs off just 32 balls. This impressive knock propelled him to the second position in the Orange Cap standings. Narine wasn't the only opener to shine. His teammate, Phil Salt, also unleashed his power, scoring a blistering 72 runs off only 37 deliveries. This surge up the batting order saw him climb to the seventh spot in the race for the Orange Cap.
Talking about the match, KKR got off to a flying start thanks to a brilliant opening partnership between Sunil Narine and Phil Salt. The West Indian all-rounder Narine unleashed his power, hammering 71 runs off just 32 balls, with a flurry of nine fours and four sixes. Salt wasn't to be outdone, showcasing his own explosive batting with 72 runs off 37 deliveries, including six boundaries. This dominant opening stand of 138 runs laid the foundation for a massive KKR total. They reached a staggering 261/6 by the end of their 20 overs, a seemingly insurmountable target. However, the Punjab Kings batsmen had other plans. Led by a magnificent century from Jonny Bairstow and a late onslaught from Shashank Singh (unbeaten 68 runs), they defied all odds. In a historic chase, they surpassed KKR's daunting total, reaching the target with a remarkable 10 balls remaining. This incredible feat not only secured victory for Punjab Kings but also etched their name in T20 history by achieving the highest successful chase ever.
Meanwhile, the top scorer for the season so far remains Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) Virat Kohli, who continued to don the Orange Cap. Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant sits comfortably in fourth place with 342 runs scored in his nine innings. Rajasthan Royals also boasts strong contenders, with Riyan Parag and Sanju Samson occupying the eighth and ninth positions respectively, having accumulated 318 and 314 runs so far.
List of batters who are in Orange Cap contention:
- 1. Virat Kohli: Despite being consistently at the top of the run-scoring charts and the first batter to surpass the 400-run mark, Kohli's place in the team continues to be scrutinized. Nonetheless, his batting prowess needs no further endorsement.
2. Sunil Narine: The left-handed opener remains a key performer for KKR, soaring to second in the orange-cap standings. His explosive 71 off 32 balls helped KKR post a formidable total.
3. Ruturaj Gaikwad: The CSK captain has found his groove again, scoring a commanding century against LSG that boosted him to third in the orange cap rankings for IPL 2024.
4. Rishabh Pant: Making a notable comeback, 'Spidey' has rejuvenated his form in T20 cricket. Leading DC's run-scoring this season, Pant has climbed to fourth in the run-scoring tally.
5. Sai Sudarshan: This young talent continues to impress with his consistent performances, becoming an integral part of GT’s batting lineup. The franchise is optimistic about his growth in the coming years.
POSITION | NAME | TEAM | MATCHES | RUNS | AVERAGE | S/R |
| 1 | Virat Kohli | RCB | 9 | 430 | 61.42 | 145.76 |
| 2 | Sunil Narine | KKR | 8 | 357 | 44.62 | 184.02 |
| 3 | Ruturaj Gaikwad | CSK | 8 | 349 | 58.16 | 142.44 |
| 4 | Rishabh Pant | DC | 9 | 342 | 48.85 | 161.32 |
| 5 | Sai Sudharshan | GT | 9 | 334 | 37.11 | 128.95 |
| 6 | Travis Head | SRH | 7 | 325 | 46.42 | 212.41 |
| 7 | Phil Salt | KKR | 8 | 324 | 46.28 | 176.08 |
| 8 | Riyan Parag | RR | 8 | 318 | 63.6 | 161.42 |
| 9 | Sanju Samson | RR | 8 | 314 | 62.8 | 151.42 |
| 10 | Shivam Dube | CSK | 8 | 311 | 51.83 | 169.94 |
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