IPL 2018: 5 batsmen who can win Orange Cap this season

The biggest cricketing league of the year is scheduled to kickoff on April 7, 2018. After the mega-auction and the return of two former champions Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, this season is expected to be bigger, better and grander than all the previous seasons.

T20 cricket is famous for its fast-paced cricket, hard-hitting shots and quick-scoring, and IPL is the epitome of that. Over the years, various greats of the game, from Sachin Tendulkar to Virat Kohli have embraced the IPL, but only a handful of them have been able to win one of the IPL's most prized awards - the Orange Cap - which is given to the batsman who scores the most number of runs in a single season of the competition.

Here, we take a look at five strong contenders for the Orange Cap this season:

#1 Virat Kohli

When it comes to scoring runs, you can't stop Virat Kohli. This man is already a legend of the limited overs format, having scored 35 ODI centuries and more than 9000 runs in the process. Kohli has grown a lot in the last one year. After he started captaining India in all three formats of the game, he has matured as an individual.

The Delhi batsman can do wonders once he sets his sights on something. He can smash records and take his game to a level that no one can even imagine. A fully fit Virat is almost invincible on Indian wickets.

His 2016 IPL season is an example of the heights he can reach. Virat scored a whopping 973 runs in the 2016 season of the IPL, also amassing four incredible centuries in the process. Kohli has been in fine form recently, having scored more than 500 runs in the ODI series against South Africa, which are good signs for his team.

With form and fitness on his side, Kohli looks set to repeat his heroics of the 2016 season.

#2 David Warner

David Warner in action for SRH

The two time Orange Cap winner David Warner looks a strong contender to win it this year too. There are a very few batsmen in the world who come close to possessing Warner's destructive skills in the T20 format.

Warner started his IPL journey with Delhi Daredevils in 2009 and made a name for himself right from the start. But after he joined Sunrisers Hyderabad his game went to another level, and since then he has been the fulcrum of their batting.

Warner has won the Orange Cap two times in the last three years, first in 2015 and then again in 2017. In the 2016 season, he scored a whopping 848 runs, only behind Virat Kohli's 973.

Over the past three seasons, Warner has scored more runs than any other batsman in the IPL. His consistency in the IPL is second to none and he looks set to win his third Orange Cap in 2018.

#3 AB de Villiers

AB is in fine form and will be a leading contender for the Orange Cap

Mr. 360, Superman, man from a different planet are some of the names that have been given to AB de Villiers by commentators and fans over the years. He is one of the most unorthodox batsmen in the modern-day game, but also one of the most effective.

AB has almost every shot in his arsenal and can score runs in any part of the ground. De Villiers, on his day, can smash any bowler out of the park. He currently holds the record for the fastest 50, 100 and 150 in ODI cricket, which is enough to define his ability.

AB was the third highest run scorer in IPL 2016, the season RCB reached the finals. He couldn't play all the matches last season, due to which he couldn't score too many runs and his team suffered.

This year though he has been in good touch and we could well see the AB show.

#4 Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan is in fine form

Shikhar Dhawan is one of the world's best players when it comes to the limited-overs format. His ability to score quick runs in the starting overs of the match is incomparable.

Dhawan has been one of the most consistent batsmen in the IPL. He was amongst the Top 5 run scorers in both the 2016 and 2017 seasons, but on both of these occasions he was struggling with his form while going into the IPL.

This season is a different story altogether. Dhawan is high on confidence and in sublime form. He was India's second highest run scorer in the ODI series against South Africa and India's highest run scorer in the recently concluded Nidahas Trophy.

Dhawan is a team player and when he scores, more often than not his team comes out on top. Dhawan's good form and self-confidence make him a solid candidate for the Orange Cap this season.

#5 Rohit Sharma

The Hitman looks set to win the Purple Cap in 2018

The Hitman Rohit Sharma is one of the most destructive batsmen the game has ever seen. He is the only batsman in the world who has scored three double centuries in ODIs which is a testament to his talent and ability.

Rohit has been in the form of his life in the past couple of years, scoring a third double hundred and equaling the record for the fastest hundred in T20Is in late 2017. Rohit is also the captain of current champions Mumbai Indians, and his good form will play an important role in their title defence this year.

Rohit is yet to showcase his best in the IPL, and this could well be the year for the Hitman.