Leading the batting charts in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 is no mean feat and this season, one player has dominated in the background, despite the likes of Faf du Plessis, Devon Conway and Virat Kohli staying atop the Orange Cap standings for the two months that the league went on.
Shubman Gill's exceptional performances at the business end of the tournament complemented his start to the season, as the defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) battle for a second-straight trophy against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL 2023 final. He finished the season with 890 runs to his name, the second-highest for an Indian batter in this competition and effectively sealed the Orange Cap race. This also makes him the youngest winner of the Orange Cap in IPL history.
Youngest Orange cap winners in IPL History
Shubman Gill (GT): 23y & 263d in IPL 2023: 890
Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK): 24y & 258d in IPL 2021: 635
Shaun Marsh (KXIP): 24y & 328d in IPL 2008: 616
With the season finally at an end, we look at the top five batters on the Orange Cap list of IPL 2023:
1. Shubman Gill: The GT opener finish the season in style, with three centuries in the last five matches of the season, propelling him to the top of the Orange Cap standings. Gill has now established himself as the future of Indian cricket with his stellar batting when it mattered the most for his team.
2. Faf du Plessis: RCB failed to reach the IPL 2023 playoffs but their openers Virat Kohli and especially skipper Faf du Plessis. The stylish right-handed batter managed to score 730 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 153.68 and an average of 56.15 as RCB finished 6th on the points table.
3. Virat Kohli: RCB's maverick batter, Virat Kohli ended his century drought in the IPL this season. He hit 2 centuries this season, including one in a must-win match, and ended the season with 639 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 139.82 and an average of 53.25.
4. Yashasvi Jaiswal: In fine form this season, the uncapped wonder has shown that he deserves an India call-up this season. With 625 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 163.61 and an average of 48.08, he has taken on the bowlers as best he can in IPL 2023.
5. Devon Conway: The Chennai Super Kings opening batter has scored 625 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of 137.06 and an average of 52.08. He is yet to bat in the IPL 2023 final.
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