IPL 2025 Race for Orange and Purple Cap Heats Up as Season Resumes
As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 resumes after an unexpected break, the race for both the Orange Cap (most runs) and the Purple Cap (most wickets) is wide open. With just 17 matches remaining in the league phase, top performers are gearing up for one final push to seal their place at the top of the charts. At the center of it all is none other than Virat Kohli, who is just one solid hit away from reclaiming the Orange Cap.
Here’s a detailed look at how the key battles are shaping up in the second half of IPL 2025.
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1. King Kohli Eyes Orange Cap in Style
Virat Kohli has been the backbone of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) this season. With 505 runs in just 11 innings and seven half-centuries, he’s once again proving why he’s considered one of the greatest batters in T20 cricket.
Kohli scored a majestic 62 off 33 balls against Chennai Super Kings in his last outing and currently sits at No. 4 in the Orange Cap rankings. However, with just six runs separating him from the current leader, he can reclaim the top spot with ease in tonight’s clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
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2. Suryakumar Yadav Leads, But For How Long?
At the top of the Orange Cap table is Mumbai Indians’ Suryakumar Yadav with 510 runs. Though he holds a narrow lead, with four other batters breathing down his neck, the top spot is far from secure. SKY has had an exceptional season, but all eyes will be on how he performs once MI resumes their campaign on Wednesday.
3. Titans’ Trio in Hot Pursuit
Gujarat Titans (GT) boast a formidable batting line-up this season. Three of their players are in the top five Orange Cap contenders:
• B Sai Sudharsan – 509 runs
• Shubman Gill – 508 runs
• Jos Buttler – 500 runs
All three are just one impactful innings away from overtaking the lead. GT’s next match is against Delhi Capitals (DC) on Sunday night, and they’ll be fully aware of Kohli’s performance earlier in the weekend.
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4. Unlucky Break for Prabhsimran and Priyansh Arya
In a twist of fate, the 122-run partnership between Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya in the abandoned PBKS vs DC match was wiped off the record books due to the game’s annulment. This meant that Prabhsimran’s effort, which could have pushed him up the Orange Cap ladder, doesn’t count.
Still, with 437 runs and positioned at No. 7, he remains a strong contender. PBKS face Rajasthan Royals (RR) next, giving him another opportunity to make his mark.
5. Pooran Looks to Regain Form
At No. 8, Nicholas Pooran of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) started the season brilliantly but has since seen a dip in form. With 410 runs, he’s still in the mix. LSG’s clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Monday will be crucial in determining if Pooran can mount a late surge.
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6. Purple Cap Race: Prasidh Krishna and Noor Ahmad Neck and Neck
The bowling leaderboard is just as thrilling. GT’s Prasidh Krishna and CSK’s Noor Ahmad are tied at 20 wickets each. Prasidh currently leads the Purple Cap race, thanks to a better average and economy rate.
GT will be in action this Sunday night, and Prasidh will be keen to stretch his lead before Noor plays next on Tuesday night.
7. Hazlewood’s Injury Opens the Door for Others
RCB pacer Josh Hazlewood had been a strong Purple Cap contender with 18 wickets, but a shoulder injury has kept him out of action since April 27. His return to the tournament is still uncertain, which might see him miss the remainder of the season.
This provides an opening for other bowlers to surpass his tally.
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8. Boult Still in the Hunt
Trent Boult of Mumbai Indians also has 18 wickets, but with MI’s next match scheduled for Wednesday, he’ll have to wait for his chance to challenge the top two.
If Boult can deliver a match-winning spell in his comeback game, the Purple Cap standings could shift rapidly once again.
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9. KKR’s Varun Chakravarthy a Silent Threat
Varun Chakravarthy, KKR’s mystery spinner, currently sits at No. 5 with 17 wickets. He’ll be in action tonight against RCB, and a strong performance could catapult him into the top three. Given the slow nature of the M. Chinnaswamy pitch in recent games, Varun could prove to be a game-changer.
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10. Others in the Mix: Harshit Rana & Arshdeep Singh
Harshit Rana (KKR) and Arshdeep Singh (PBKS) both have 16 wickets and remain in touching distance of the Purple Cap. With favorable matchups over the weekend, either could leapfrog into the lead if they bag a three- or four-wicket haul.
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Conclusion: Every Run, Every Wicket Will Matter
With just a handful of league matches left, the race for the Orange and Purple Cap in IPL 2025 is more intense than ever. For Virat Kohli, the stage is perfectly set to reclaim the Orange Cap in front of his home crowd. On the bowling front, Prasidh Krishna and Noor Ahmad are setting the pace, but several contenders are lurking.
As fans, we’re in for a thrilling few weeks. Keep your eyes glued to CrickTab.com for daily updates, match previews, and player insights as the IPL 2025 heads into its final stretch.
