As we gear towards the climax of the league stage of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, the race for the playoffs is getting heated up. The competition levels of IPL 2023 are at peak and there have been 56 matches so far and we still aren’t sure of the top 4.
In IPL 2023, we have seen some stellar batting performances, exceptional bowling performances and some sensational catches being plucked out of thin air. With the addition of the impact player rule, matches have become more exciting as more runs have been scored.
The 16th edition of the cash-rich and lucrative league has definitely lived up to its billing and with the passage of more matches, it will only get more exciting and competitive.
In this article, we take a look at the top contenders for the Orange Cap in IPL 2023 and an analysis of their performance:
1. Yashasvi Jaiswal (Rajasthan Royals)
21-year-old cricketer Yashasvi Jaiswal has been an embodiment of class, perseverance and hard-work in IPL 2023. He has been scoring runs at a prolific rate and his wide repertoire of shots makes him one of the strongest contenders for the Orange Cap award in IPL 2023.
He smashed a century against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium and also scored 98* runs against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Match 56 of IPL 2023. These two innings brimmed of class and were two of his finest innings so far.
The way Jaiswal has been playing spin, pace and the way he is adapting to different conditions in different grounds is noteworthy. In 12 IPL 2023 matches so far, Jaiswal has mustered 575 runs and has an average of 52.27.
2. Ruturaj Gaikwad (Chennai Super Kings)
One of the main reasons why Ruturaj Gaikwad comes so high up in this list is because of the fact that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and more or less sure to have booked a spot in the playoffs. Gaikwad is Chennai’s 2nd leading run-scorer and has logged 408 runs so far.
Notably, Gaikwad has previously won the Orange Cap award in IPL 2021 and is a sheer juggernaut in the batting ranks of the 4-time IPL champions. The way he has been hitting those elegant boundaries up front is praiseworthy.
3. Devon Conway (Chennai Super Kings)
Kiwi southpaw Devon Conway has been in top-notch form in the ongoing IPL. He has scored 468 runs at an average of 52.00 and is the 4th highest run-getter in the IPL. As Chennai might qualify for the playoffs, he will be playing a few more games in the playoffs and he might end up winning the Orange Cap.
Conway is a very good player on the off side and keeps the fielders under the pump. He is excellent at finding gaps and doesn’t hit the ball too hard.
4. Surya Kumar Yadav (Mumbai Indians)
At the rate at which Surya Kumar Yadav is scoring runs in the last few matches for Mumbai Indians (MI), he can emerge out to be a strong contender for the Orange Cap award. In the previous game of MI against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Surya Kumar Yadav blasted his way to a sensational innings of 83 runs in just 35 balls.
Surya Kumar Yadav hits the ball all across the ground and the best thing about him is that he doesn’t need much time to settle in. He smears the pacers and the spinners from the word go and it naturally takes off the pressure off the other batters along side him.
5. Faf Du Plessis (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
The skipper of RCB, Faf Du Plessis has displayed unreal consistency in the ongoing IPL 2023. He is presently holding the Orange Cap award and has amassed 576 runs in 11 games. But the question arises as to whether RCB will qualify or not.
If the team from Bengaluru don’t qualify, then Faf might miss out on the Orange Cap as the other players will surpass him.
Also read: Watch: Sanju Samson Stops Wide To Let Yashasvi Jaiswal Get Century
