IPL 2018: Batsmen most likely to top the run-scorers' chart for each team

The 2018 IPL is set to get underway in Mumbai in less than 10 days' time and all the teams have already started their preparations for the extravaganza. A lot of players, both veterans and rookies, from India and other parts of the world will take part in the tournament and will look to set the stage on fire.

Though the teams will try to win the tournament, there will be a handful of batsmen and bowlers who fancy their chances of winning the Orange and Purple Caps. For that to happen, they need to play out of their skin and remain consistent throughout the tournament.

The IPL will have many batsmen as the favourites for the Orange Cap. Let us take a look at one player from each team, who will end the season as their team's leading scorer and give a tough competition for his rivals for the Orange Cap.

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Chennai Super Kings - Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina has been the backbone of Chennai Super Kings' batting order ever since the start of the IPL. The southpaw has scored 400 runs in seven out of the eight seasons the team has taken part in the tournament. And in the only instance he failed to cross the 400-run barrier, he managed to score 374 runs at an average of 25, his lowest in an IPL season.

This season, the left-hander is going into the IPL with a lot at stake. After making a successful comeback to the national T20I team earlier this year, he is in contention for a place in the ODI side ahead of the 2019 World Cup and a good tournament for CSK's own Chinna Thala will see him get back into the Indian ODI set-up after three years.

Delhi Daredevils - Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant

Over the last couple of years, Rishabh Pant has been creating a buzz for himself with some aggressive and consistent performances in the Indian domestic circuit. In the 24 IPL matches he played so far, he has amassed 564 runs at an average of 25.63 and a strike-rate of 151.20.

His success has earned him the Indian cap and the left-hander has represented the Indian T20I team on four occasions. Unfortunately, he couldn't replicate his success on the international stage and has been in and out of the side.

The next couple of months will decide the fate of Pant as a good show in the 2018 edition will put him back in the reckoning.

Kings XI Punjab - KL Rahul

KL Rahul

After having a breakthrough 2016 season with Royal Challengers Bangalore, a lot was expected from KL Rahul in the 2017 edition. Unfortunately, the right-hander injured his shoulder and had to miss the whole tournament.

Ahead of the 2018 season, the right-hander was bought by Kings XI Punjab for a whopping Rs. 11 crore and a lot will be expected from him. Rahul, who is currently number 12 in the ICC T20I rankings for batsmen, will look to prove a point and send a message to the Indian team management as he has been made to warm the bench in India's T20I assignments.

Kolkata Knight Riders - Chris Lynn

Chris Lynn

Christopher Austin Lynn became a household name among the Indians fans during the previous edition of IPL by hitting towering sixes on a consistent basis. After starting the tournament on a swashbuckling note, Lynn was unfortunate to miss a few matches in-between the tournament after injuring his shoulder.

When he made a comeback, he continued from where he left off and went on a leather hunt against the bowlers. He was retained by Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the 2018 season and he is going into the IPL after spending a couple of months on the sidelines due to a shoulder injury. If he is fit and is raring to go, beware, spectators, a lot of balls will come towards you during the T20 extravaganza.

Mumbai Indians - Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma

Just like Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma is one of the most consistent batsmen in the IPL. He has been the backbone of Mumbai Indians' batting order ever since he joined them in 2011. The right-hander has scored 350 runs in nine out of the 10 seasons and the only time he failed to do so, he managed to score 333 runs.

In spite of that, he has never won the Orange Cap and the 2018 edition might be the year he wins the prized possession for a batsman in the tournament. The most successful player in the IPL might not open for Mumbai as they already have Evin Lewis and Ishan Kishan in their ranks. Coming in at number three, he will look to anchor the innings and finish it off with a flourish in the end.

Rajasthan Royals - Jos Buttler

Jos Buttler

He is my dark horse for the Orange Cap in the 2018 IPL. This is a big gamble because his position in the batting line-up is yet to be decided. Buttler, a middle-order batsman who plays the role of finish for England in the limited-overs cricket, was quite successful as an opening batsman in the T20 leagues around the world.

It all started with Mumbai Indians, who promoted him to open the batting in IPL and Buttler's BPL side Comilla Victorians and BBL side Sydney Thunder took a cue from the IPL champions and opened the innings with the Englishman and he had a good time at the top of the order.

If Rajasthan Royals decide to make him open with Ajinkya Rahane, my money is on Buttler to win the Orange Cap.

Royal Challengers Bangalore - Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli

After a phenomenal 2016 IPL where he destroyed every single batting records by scoring 973 runs in 16 matches at an average of 81 and a strike-rate of 152, Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli had a silent 2017 IPL by his standards as he scored just 308 runs in 10 innings at an average of 30.8 and a strike-rate of 122.22.

He will look to make up for the 2017 edition in 2018 and lead his side to their maiden IPL title. Without a doubt, Kohli is the pre-tournament favourite to win the Orange cap this year.

Sunrisers Hyderabad - Manish Pandey

Manish Pandey

With Gautam Gambhir set to leave Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the 2018 IPL, Manish Pandey was expected to lead the Knight Riders. Everything was fine until the day of the IPL auction as the Indian middle-order batsman was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for a whopping Rs. 11 crore that made the KKR management not use their RTM card on him.

Sunrisers managed to get hold of the right-hander and now, with David Warner banned from playing in the tournament, the burden of Sunrisers' batting will be on the shoulders of skipper Kane Williamson, Shikhar Dhawan, and Manish Pandey. Being an experienced campaigner, Manish will look to deliver for his team and prove his worth when he takes the field with the willow in his hand.