Rajasthan Royals' (RR) captain Sanju Samson has re-entered the race for the Orange Cap in the ongoing IPL 2024. On May 7, during a match against Delhi Capitals (DC), Samson scored a blistering 86 runs from 46 balls in his team's losing cause, climbing to third place in the standings. Notably, Samson has overtaken Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) star all-rounder Sunil Narine, who has now dropped to fourth place.
On the other hand, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) dynamic opener Travis Head is currently fifth after scoring 48 runs off 30 balls against Mumbai Indians (MI) on May 6. Head has also hit a century this season. Ruturaj Gaikwad, captain of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), maintains his second position in the Orange Cap race. Gaikwad, who has been the top run-scorer for CSK, contributed a vital 32 runs from 21 balls in their recent game against Punjab Kings (PBKS). At the top of the leaderboard, Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) star player Virat Kohli remains the frontrunner, though the margin between him and Gaikwad is just one run. Kohli secured his lead with a 42-run inning from 27 balls against Gujarat Titans on May 4.
Here is the updated list of batters who are in the Orange Cap race after DC vs RR's clash:
- 1. Virat Kohli (RCB): Virat Kohli leads the charts with 542 runs from 11 matches, boasting a strike rate of 148.08. This season, he has hit four half-centuries and a century, affirming his dominant form.
2. Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK): After a slow start this season, the 27-year-old Ruturaj Gaikwad has found his rhythm, becoming the second-highest run-scorer. In 11 matches, he has amassed 541 runs at a strike rate of 147.01, including four fifties and a century.
3. Sanju Samson (RR): RR captain Sanju Samson has shown remarkable form this season, a significant improvement after several inconsistent years. He has scored 471 runs in 11 matches, with a striking rate of 163.54, and has notched up five half-centuries.
4. Sunil Narine (KKR): Elevated to the opener's role, Sunil Narine has been formidable, tallying 461 runs in 11 games at a stunning strike rate of 183.66. His tally includes three fifties and one hundred.
5. Travis Head (SRH): Australian opener Travis Head has been a standout performer this season, with an explosive batting display. In 10 matches, he has scored 444 runs at an impressive strike rate of 189.74, including three fifties and a hundred.
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POSITION | NAME | TEAM | MATCHES | RUNS | AVERAGE | S/R |
| 1 | Virat Kohli | RCB | 11 | 542 | 67.75 | 148.08 |
| 2 | Ruturaj Gaikwad | CSK | 11 | 541 | 60.11 | 147.01 |
| 3 | Sanju Samson | RR | 11 | 471 | 67.29 | 163.54 |
| 4 | Sunil Narine | KKR | 11 | 461 | 41.91 | 183.66 |
| 5 | Travis Head | SRH | 10 | 444 | 44.4 | 189.74 |
| 6 | Riyan Parag | RR | 11 | 436 | 54.5 | 156.27 |
| 7 | KL Rahul | LSG | 11 | 431 | 39.18 | 141.31 |
| 8 | Phil Salt | KKR | 11 | 429 | 42.9 | 183.33 |
| 9 | Sai Sudharshan | GT | 11 | 424 | 42.4 | 131.67 |
| 10 | Rishabh Pant | DC | 12 | 413 | 41.3 | 156.43 |
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