IPL 2026 Orange Cap candidates (Source: AFP)
The business end of the IPL 2026 began with a bang, with the defending champions Royal Challengers Bangaluru (RCB) locking horns with Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Qualifier 1 on Tuesday.
Undoubtedly, the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is once again producing a season of high scores, massive sixes, and a flurry of fours.
At the same time, the race for the Orange Cap in IPL 2026 is heating up as the tournament gathers pace, with batters across teams jostling for the top spot.
The Orange Cap is awarded to the highest run-scorer of the season, making it one of the most prestigious individual accolades in the Indian Premier League.
The season has already produced a string of standout batting performances, including nine centuries.
Thus, in this article, take a look at the players who could still win the IPL 2026 Orange Cap as the tournament officially reaches its final stage.
List of Players who are still in the race for the Orange Cap after IPL 2026 league stage:
5. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Rajasthan Royals) – 583 runs
Probably the most astonishing name on this list. The 15-year-old finished fifth in the race for the Orange Cap after the end of IPL 2026 league stage with 583 runs at a strike rate of 232.27, which is the highest of any batter in the top five.
The prodigious batter from Bihar, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has so far scored one century and three fifties in a debut IPL season that has left the cricket world speechless.
4. Virat Kohli (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) – 600 runs
One of the most anticipated players in the tally, Virat Kohli, is once again battling it hard for the Orange Cap in yet another season of the IPL. Kohli is among the only players who have played in all the 19 editions of the tournament.
Also read: Virat Kohli And Devdutt Padikkal Join Ex-RCB, CSK Greats For Huge IPL Record
Aiming to claim back-to-back trophies, the ‘King’ of the IPL has scored 600 runs in the season so far at a career-best strike rate of 164.38.
3. Heinrich Klaasen (Sunrisers Hyderabad) – 606 runs
Retired South African veteran Heinrich Klaasen sits third with 606 runs at a strike rate of 159.47 and six half-centuries. Notably, this is arguably the finest IPL season of Klaasen’s career. The Proteas wicketkeeper-batter has been a vital cog for SRH and the most reliable performer all season.
2. Shubman Gill (Gujarat Titans) – 618 runs
The newly appointed Indian captain, Shubman Gill, is having a remarkable campaign as the GT skipper in the ongoing IPL 2026. Gill has scored 618 runs at a strike rate of 159.27 with six half-centuries, combining his captaincy duties with consistently destructive batting at the top of the order.
1. Sai Sudharsan (Gujarat Titans) – 652 runs
Shubman Gill’s opening partner for GT, Sai Sudharsan, leads the run-scoring charts. The GT opener finished with 638 runs from 14 matches at an average of 46.57 and a strike rate of 157.86, with one century and seven half-centuries. He won the Orange Cap in IPL 2025 and is chasing back-to-back titles.
Also read: Watch- Rajat Patidar Leaves Virat Kohli In Awe With Crazy Sixes In Qualifier 1
