Five players who can win the Orange Cap in IPL 2025

With just a day to go, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is buzzing with excitement. Franchises are in full swing, fueling the anticipation with behind-the-scenes training glimpses and engaging team activities on social media. While bowling attacks play a crucial role in winning tournaments, it’s the batters who steal the spotlight. Stadiums fill up to witness MS Dhoni’s helicopter shot, Virat Kohli’s cover drive, and Shubman Gill’s backfoot punch.

Over the years, numerous batters have mesmerized fans with their stupendous performances in the IPL. Virat Kohli holds the record for the most runs in a single edition, a feat he achieved in 2016. In 2023, Shubman Gill stole the show with his aesthetic yet hard-hitting stroke play. As IPL 2025 approaches, one question looms large: Who will claim the Orange Cap this year? Here are five strong contenders.

Five players who can win the Orange Cap in IPL 2025

1. Virat Kohli

The highest run-scorer in IPL history, Virat Kohli stands as a top contender for the Orange Cap. He has won it twice—first in 2016 and again in 2024. RCB will be hoping for a repeat of his record-breaking 2016 season, where he amassed close to 1,000 runs and smashed four centuries. With Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar, and Liam Livingstone in the lineup, Kohli can pace his innings more freely and play deeper into matches.

2. Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill returns to his fortress—the Narendra Modi Stadium in Gujarat. He has an exceptional record at the venue and is expected to go all guns blazing. However, his performances on tougher surfaces remain to be seen. No longer a mainstay in India’s T20I team, IPL 2025 presents a golden opportunity for him to get back into national reckoning.

3. Yashasvi Jaiswal

Yashasvi Jaiswal’s career has been on a steady upward trajectory. He has been a key performer for Rajasthan Royals, scoring 435 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of 155.91 in IPL 2024. The upcoming season presents an ideal opportunity for him to go all out and etch his name in the history books.

4. Abhishek Sharma

Abhishek Sharma emerged as SRH’s second-highest run-getter in IPL 2024, amassing 484 runs in 16 matches at a staggering strike rate of over 200. His explosive performances earned him a national call-up, where he made an instant impact with his power-hitting. In 17 T20Is, he has scored 535 runs at an average of 33 and an incredible strike rate of 193. Given his red-hot form, don’t be surprised if he ends up leading the run charts this season. 

5. Travis Head 

The list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Travis Head. His fearless batting is a major headache for the opposition. The Australian opener showcased his ruthless hitting last season, amassing 567 runs in 15 matches at an average of 40.50. He finished as the fourth-highest run-scorer and will be a top contender for the Orange Cap this year.