As IPL 2025 approaches its climax, the focus sharpens on the Orange and Purple Caps, representing the leading run-scorers and wicket-takers of the tournament, respectively. Just four matches are left in the season, making every run and wicket crucial.
Orange Cap Race
At the top of the run-scoring charts, we have B Sai Sudharsan (679 runs), Shubman Gill (649), and Suryakumar Yadav (640). These players may play up to three more matches, contingent on their teams’ progression. The winner of the Gujarat Titans (GT) versus Mumbai Indians (MI) Eliminator will advance to Qualifier 2, with a chance to reach the final.
Virat Kohli, sitting fifth with 602 runs, needs to score 78 in the upcoming Qualifier 1 to overtake Sudharsan. If Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) beat Punjab Kings (PBKS), Kohli will only have the final to look forward to, assuming RCB progresses. However, if they lose, he may have up to three games to surpass the current leader. Having already hit eight half-centuries this season and averaging 60.20, Kohli’s form suggests this target is achievable.
For PBKS, Shreyas Iyer (514) and Prabhsimran Singh (499) aim to boost their numbers, though catching the top contenders for the Orange Cap seems a distant dream. Among the other top ten players, Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran, alongside Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) Yashasvi Jaiswal and Delhi Capitals’ (DC) KL Rahul, have concluded their tournaments. GT’s Jos Buttler has departed to join the England ODI squad.
Focus on the Purple Cap
Currently, the Purple Cap sits with Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) Noor Ahmad, boasting 24 wickets, although his season has concluded. This presents an opportunity for Prasidh Krishna (23 wickets) of GT to take the lead in the Eliminator. If GT prolong their tournament run, he could play in three more games.
Similarly, MI’s Trent Boult (19 wickets) might also have up to three games to vie for the Purple Cap, depending on his team’s fortunes. Josh Hazlewood, returning from injury, and Arshdeep Singh both have 18 wickets, and possibly three additional matches. However, the winning side in Qualifier 1 will progress directly to the final, resulting in one fewer game compared to the others.
Jasprit Bumrah and R Sai Kishore, each with 17 wickets, are still in contention and could rise in the rankings.
As the playoffs unfold, ESPNcricinfo’s MVP table provides a thorough look at all-round performances, while additional stats highlight top batting strike rates, exceptional bowling economy rates, the most sixes hit, and standout individual bowling figures.
For ongoing coverage and updates, the ESPNcricinfo app remains a comprehensive resource.
