Kamal Ghorui
Virat Kohli, the all-time leading run-scorer in IPL history with 8,889 runs, has surged to the top of the Orange Cap standings in IPL 2026. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru star has been in sublime form, amassing 228 runs from five matches at an average of 57.00 and a strike rate of 158.33. With 25 fours and eight sixes, Kohli has combined stability with controlled aggression at the top of the order.Kohli is no stranger to the Orange Cap. He first claimed it in 2016 during a record-breaking season where he scored an unprecedented 973 runs, including four centuries, a feat that remains unmatched even a decade later. He secured his second Orange Cap in 2024, finishing with 741 runs at an average of 61.75 and a strike rate of 154.69, along with a century.Years have passed, but Kohli’s hunger for runs continues to burn as brightly as ever, once again lighting up the Orange Cap race in IPL 2026.Now, regarding the Orange Cap standing in IPL 2026, close behind is Heinrich Klaasen of Sunrisers Hyderabad, who has scored 224 runs in five innings. Klaasen continues to impress with his consistency, averaging 44.80 at a strike rate of 142.67, playing the role of a reliable middle-order anchor.At No. 3 is Rajat Patidar, Kohli’s teammate at RCB, with 222 runs. Patidar has been one of the most destructive batters this season, boasting a stunning strike rate of 213.46 and smashing 21 sixes, the highest among the top contenders, while maintaining an average of 55.50.Ishan Kishan of SRH sits fourth with 213 runs, continuing his aggressive approach. With a strike rate of 190.17, Kishan has dominated bowlers, hitting 22 fours and 12 sixes, making him one of the most explosive players this season.Rounding off the top five is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from Rajasthan Royals, who has scored 200 runs at a staggering strike rate of 263.15. His fearless batting, highlighted by 18 sixes, continues to make him a standout performer in IPL 2026.Here are the top 10 leading run scorers in IPL 2026 for Orange Cap:
| Rank | Player | Team | Matches | Runs | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virat Kohli | RCB | 5 | 228 | 158.33 |
| 2 | Heinrich Klaasen | SRH | 5 | 224 | 142.67 |
| 3 | Rajat Patidar | RCB | 5 | 222 | 213.46 |
| 4 | Ishan Kishan | SRH | 5 | 213 | 190.17 |
| 5 | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | RR | 5 | 200 | 263.15 |
| 6 | Sanju Samson | CSK | 5 | 185 | 172.89 |
| 7 | Yashasvi Jaiswal | RR | 5 | 184 | 157.26 |
| 8 | Angkrish Raghuvanshi | KKR | 5 | 182 | 155.55 |
| 9 | Dhruv Jurel | RR | 5 | 176 | 177.77 |
| 10 | Jos Buttler | GT | 4 | 176 | 158.55 |
