Rohit Sharma. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)
Over the last 16 editions of the Indian Premier League (IPL), we have witnessed some exhilarating batting performances from players across the world. While the collective effort to win the title is essential, certain players can single-handedly push their team almost over the line. What Virat Kohli did for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the 2016 season is a great example of this.
Among various accolades, the Orange Cap is an award that recognizes a batter’s outstanding effort in a particular IPL season. The player who finishes the tournament as the leading run scorer will be honored with this. Australia’s Shaun Marsh was the first player to win this prestigious award, while young India opener Shubman Gill is the latest.
While T20 legends like David Warner and Chris Gayle have ‘donned’ the cap multiple times, there are some great players who have never won this award despite scoring a lot of runs for their respective franchises.
Let’s take a look at some surprising Indian stars who have not won the Orange Cap:
5. Ambati Rayudu
Ambati Rayudu. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)
Ambati Rayudu, who holds the record for the joint-most IPL trophies (6), has never been able to achieve this estimable individual accolade. Starting his career with Mumbai Indians (MI) and ending with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Rayudu was the backbone for both teams in their middle order.
The Andhra Pradesh cricketer has scored over 4000 runs in 203 IPL matches at an average of 28.05 and a strike rate of 127.54. His best IPL season was with CSK in 2018, where he scored 602 runs including three fifties and his lone century.
4. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma Mumbai Indians. (Photo Source: INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP via Getty Images)
With five titles under his belt for Mumbai Indians (MI), Rohit Sharma is undoubtedly one of the most successful captains in IPL history. However, we are yet to witness the dangerous power hitter inside the veteran opener.
Having scored over 6000 runs from 243 matches, Rohit is currently the fourth-highest run-scorer in the tournament. However, the Orange Cap remains an elusive feat in his career. Notably, Rohit’s best IPL season was in 2013 when he scored 538 runs at an average of 38.43 and a strike rate of 131.54, including four fifties.
3. Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)
A two-time IPL-winning captain and one of the most consistent openers in the league’s history – Gautam Gambhir is a Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) legend. Gambhir’s batting heroics and leadership prowess played a pivotal role in the Kolkata-based franchise’s triumphs in the 2012 and 2014 seasons.
The southpaw has scored 4218 runs including 36 fifties at an average of 31.01 and a strike rate of 123.91 in 154 IPL matches. Like Rohit Sharma, the 42-year-old has also not breached the 600-run mark in an IPL season. Gambhir excelled as a batter in KKR’s maiden title-winning year, scoring 590 runs in 17 matches.
2. Suresh Raina
Suresh Raina. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)
Despite being one of the most consistent performances in league history and being a key cog in the Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) unit for several years, it is quite surprising that Suresh Raina never won the Orange Cap. Nicknamed the Mr. IPL for his scintillating batting display, Raina has amassed over 5500 runs in 205 matches with one century and 39 fifties.
Barring his farewell season in 2021, the southpaw has scored more than 300 runs every year. His best outing in the cash-rich league was in 2013 when he scored 548 runs and steered the team to the final.
1. Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)
Probably one of the most shocking names you’ve seen on this list. It is quite unbelievable that a player who has scored over 6600 runs and is currently the second-highest run scorer in the tournament has never won the Orange Cap.
Dhawan, who has represented multiple franchises across his 217 IPL matches, has smashed over 300 runs in every season apart from 2009 and 2010. He had his best campaign in the 2020 edition, where he scored 618 runs to lead Delhi Capitals to their maiden IPL final. The left-hander finished the tournament as the second top scorer and with a margin of 52 runs, KL Rahul bagged the award for the best batter.