Runs win matches and in a tournament like the Indian Premier League (IPL), where the margin between success and failure is razor-thin, the batter who can consistently pile up runs becomes the backbone of his team.
The Orange Cap is the ultimate reward for the tournament’s leading run-scorer, a title that only the most elite batters get to wear. With IPL 2025 set to be another high-scoring spectacle, there are some serious contenders ready to take the league by storm.
Who will be the one to amass the most runs? Will Virat Kohli do it again, or will a new name emerge from the pack?
Let’s take a look at the top five prime contenders who could walk away with the Orange Cap this season.
Virat Kohli
When you talk about runs, Virat Kohli’s name naturally comes up. The only Indian to have won the Orange Cap twice, Kohli stamped his authority once again last year with 741 runs and proved why he remains the gold standard in T20 batting.
Kohli thrives on consistency, hunger and a never-ending appetite for big runs. He just had a sensational Champions Trophy 2025, where he led India’s charge with consistent runs. Add to that RCB’s improved squad this season, which means he won’t have to carry the entire batting load.
This will give him the freedom to play his natural game and when that happens, bowlers are in serious trouble. If RCB have a solid season, Kohli will be at the heart of it, stacking up runs for fun, which makes him a top contender to win the Orange Cap.
Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill has been in sublime form, first destroying England’s bowling attack in the recent ODI series, then carrying his red-hot touch into the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. With 426 runs last year, he might not have matched his 2023 IPL heroics, where he smashed 890 runs, but his ability to anchor an innings and accelerate when needed makes him a top contender.
Gill’s elegant stroke play and skill to find gaps effortlessly mean he doesn’t need to rely on power to score big. He is already an IPL Orange Cap winner, which gives him the experience of handling the pressure of leading a batting lineup.
With GT’s batting revolving around him, expect Gill to pile on the runs once again. He knows how to play the long game, and if he finds his rhythm early in the season, he’s going to be a nightmare for bowlers.
Travis Head
Travis Head has turned into a run-scoring machine in the last couple of years. In IPL 2024, he completely redefined T20 batting alongside Abhishek Sharma. Pitch, conditions, opposition, none of it mattered as he smashed everything that came his way.
With 567 runs at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 191.55 last year, the southpaw showed that he doesn’t do slow innings. If Head gets through the powerplay, he’s taking the game away from the opposition within a few overs.
SRH’s approach last season was pure mayhem, and there is no reason why they won’t stick to the same blueprint this time. If Head fires from the start, he could easily run away with the Orange Cap, leaving bowlers clueless and captains helpless.
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Yashasvi Jaiswal isn’t just another young talent anymore, he’s a proven match-winner at the international level. He has been smashing bowlers at the biggest level, and his confidence is through the roof.
For Rajasthan Royals, he has been a rock at the top, and with his aggressive batting and ability to play long innings, this might just be his breakthrough IPL season. He has already shown glimpses of his ability to single-handedly win games, but now, with more experience under his belt, expect an even more fearless version of him this season.
If he finds his groove early, don’t be surprised if he sets the tournament on fire and becomes a serious contender for the Orange Cap.
Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad is calm, composed, and knows exactly how to build an innings. He is one of the few batters who can seamlessly switch gears, which makes him one of the most dangerous players in the IPL.
He won the Orange Cap in 2021 and finished second last year behind Kohli with 583 runs at a staggering average of 53.00. Now, as CSK’s captain, he has an even bigger role to play and if there is one thing Gaikwad thrives on, it is stepping up under pressure.
His ability to take on both pace and spin with equal authority makes him a major threat. If CSK has a good season, Gaikwad will be the one leading the charge with the bat. He has the skill, temperament, and big-game mentality to make a serious run for the Orange Cap in 2025.
