IPL 2019: One potential Orange Cap winner from each side

The twelfth edition of the biggest T20 league in the world is all set to get underway in less than a week. Going into the tournament, most teams hold a similar look like last year while a few teams have some drastic changes. Some players return from bans and injuries while some others pulled out due to preparations for the World Cup.

Every season the quest for the coveted Orange Cap sees fierce competition, which gets more exciting when youngsters give the established stars a run for their money.

One strange fact about the Orange Cap is that only once has the coveted cap winner ended up being with the champion team; Robin Uthappa for KKR in 2014. As we near the start of the season, we look at one potential Orange Cap winner from each side.

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#1. Royal Challengers Bangalore - Virat Kohli

Kohli is in the form of his life and would like to extend his purple patch onto the IPL

The second-highest run-getter in the IPL, Virat Kohli remains the top contender for finishing as the highest run-getter for whichever team and in whichever tournament he plays. Continuing his purple patch for more than 4 years now, Kohli has bossed or is almost certain to boss almost every batting record in cricket.

The RCB skipper might open the batting this year with Parthiv Patel, or bat at 3 if Parthiv opens with Moeen Ali/ Marcus Stoinis. Kohli has the record of most runs in a single season when he scored more than 900 runs including 4 hundreds in the 2016 season.

The right-handed batsman is in great form going into the tournament and is certainly one of the top contenders for the Orange Cap. Even a poor season on his standards sees him score nearly 500 runs nowadays and considering his form this year, it would not be a surprise if he repeats something like the 2016 season.

AB de Villers might also be in the race but Kohli's consistency always pips him ahead of everyone else.

#2. Delhi Capitals - Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan's experience at the top is essential for Delhi's quest for glory

Shikhar Dhawan's transfer from Sunrisers Hyderabad raised a few eyebrows, but the Delhi-based franchise did pay a hefty price to trade in the local boy. Delhi had to release Shahbaz Nadeem, Vijay Shankar and Abhishek Sharma for Dhawan. But the move might prove to be a masterstroke considering Dhawan's experience and the stability he provides at the top. The Dhawan-Shaw partnership is something to look forward to this IPL.

The southpaw did not have a great start to the year, but he returned to form with a hundred at Mohali. Moreover, he was the leading run scorer in T20Is in 2018 and probably for the first time showed so much consistency in T20Is.

In the IPL, he has always been a stable and consistent performer for whichever side he has played. Add to it his immense experience against international bowlers and he is undoubtedly one of the best Indian openers in the tournament. If he carries his T20 form to the IPL, there is no stopping him from being amongst the top run-scorers of the season.

Rishabh Pant might be in the race too, but considering he will mostly bat at 4 or 5 and the team will have a more stable top order this time, the chances of him being the top run-scorer take a dip.

#3. Kolkata Knight Riders - Chirs Lynn

KKR would bank on Lynn to provide stability at the top

Chris Lynn, the marauding opener from Australia was bought for a massive 9.4 cr in the 2018 auctions and he did prove his worth with his performances. The injury-prone opener managed to play the full season last year and the KKR management would want the same this time too. The opening pair of Lynn and Narine is as devastating as any in the tournament and the platform laid by the pair often decides the course of the innings.

Lynn's game last year was a little different from his usual hit-from-the-word-go attitude. He complimented Narine well and made sure he keeps one end intact. His consistency in the 2018 season is something KKR would love to see again and if he continues to play the way he did last year, he could well be in contention for the coveted Orange Cap. Considering his experience, Lynn will spearhead the KKR batting along with Uthappa and Karthik.

The other options from KKR who might be in contention for the Orange Cap include Robin Uthappa and Dinesh Karthik. But Uthappa is not in great form coming into the tournament and has been guilty of throwing away starts and Karthik bats too low to stay in the race.

#4. Sunrisers Hyderabad - David Warner

David Warner returns after serving a one-year ban

The return of David Warner, the skipper who led Sunrisers to their only trophy in 2016, will be one of the most anticipated events for the SRH fans this year. The winner of the Orange Cap in 2015 and 2017 and the third highest run-getter in 2016, Warner has been one of the best overseas batsmen in the IPL. Returning after a one year ban, the southpaw will be eager to maintain his outstanding record in the IPL.

The former SRH skipper will add firepower to the top order, something which they missed dearly last year. Kane Williamson, the orange cap winner in 2018, was the saviour in the absence of Warner. With both Warner and Bairstow at the top and Williamson at 3, SRH have one of the most formidable top 3 in the tournament.

Along with Warner, Williamson is another batsman in contention for the Orange Cap. But considering the fact that Warner opens the batting and also there will be a more stable opening pair this time, Williamson might just miss out.

#5. Rajasthan Royals - Jos Buttler

RR would like Buttler to replicate his 2018 form

The dashing Englishman who plays as a finisher for his national side, set the stage on fire in 2018 when he was sent out to open midway of the tournament. Jos Buttler opened for Mumbai Indians in the previous edition as well.

In the 2018 edition of IPL, Rajasthan started the season with Buttler as a finisher. But he did not perform up to the expectations. Later realizing his utility at the top, the management tried him as an opener and the attacking right-handed batsman flourished.

Buttler single-handedly won them numerous games as an opener, hitting five consecutive fifties and was a major reason for Rajasthan reaching the playoffs in 2018. Despite a slow start to the tournament, Buttler finished among the top 5 run-getters of the season.

He has not looked back since then and is in the form of his life. The perfect blend of caution and aggression added to his ability to hit good balls out of the park is what makes Buttler so dangerous at the top.

Along with Buttler, Rahane and Smith might be in contention for the Orange cap too. But considering Rahane's poor form and Smith's rustiness, Buttler seems to be the best contender from RR.

#6. Mumbai Indians - Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma is expected to be back to the opening slot

One of the best openers in limited overs cricket at this moment, Rohit Sharma, for some reasons, has been often reluctant to open for his IPL franchise. Coming off his worst season in the IPL last year, Rohit is expected to open the innings this year with Quinton de Kock. The importance of his contribution with the bat can be assessed from the fact that his poor show last year coincided with MI's early exit from the tournament.

Opening the batting suits Rohit the best and he is expected to be back at his regular position this year. He has been in decent form over the past few months but is due for some big scores for quite a while now. This IPL might just be the platform for Hitman to get back to his best and play some long innings he is known for. If he manages to do that, there are only a handful of others who can match the opener in terms of scoring.

Quinton de Kock and Ishan Kishan might also be in contention for the Orange Cap, but the former might not be available for the full season and the latter is yet to show his consistency in the IPL.

#7. Kings XI Punjab - Chris Gayle

Gayle's blitzkrieg against England might be a signal of turning back the clock

The Jamaican who announced that he would retire from ODI cricket after the World Cup, seems to have turned back the clock after his terrific series against England. With 39 sixes in just 5 ODIs, Chris Gayle proved how destructive he is even at this age. A knock of 162 helped West Indies almost chase down a mammoth 418.

Gayle did perform with the bat for the first half of the tournament last year but his form faded in the later stages. But looking at the kind of form he is in, it would not be a surprise if he repeats his Orange Cap-winning performances of 2011 and 2012.

The six hitting ability which seemed to have waned a bit in the last couple of years seems to be back and so is the consistency. The typical Gayle innings, a string of dots followed by raining sixes, were on display in the home series against England and the KXIP management would expect the same from him this season.

KL Rahul, Punjab's top run-getter last season is not in great form off late and that is the only reason why Gayle is a better contender for the Orange Cap. But considering the fact that a brilliant IPL like last year might guarantee Rahul a World Cup berth, might get the best out of him.

#8. Chennai Superkings - Shane Watson

Watson has been in great form in the BBL and PSL

The former Aussie opener who hit a scintillating hundred in the final of the 2018 season, is once again in great form going into the tournament. Shane Watson had a very good time in BBL as well as PSL and will be itching to prove his worth for the Chennai Superkings as well.

He might not be used much as a bowler this year owing to his history of injuries, but he is someone who can take the game away from the opposition with his monstrous hitting.

Watson had a successful outing for CSK in 2018 along with his opening partner Rayudu. Both scored in excess of 500 runs in the season and were the major reasons for CSK's success.

If Watson continues his rich form and replicates a performance similar to last year, CSK might be right on course for their fourth title. His ability to score huge on getting set and also his tendency to get off to fliers makes him a prime contender for the Orange Cap.

Ambati Rayudu and Suresh Raina are the other ones who might win the Orange Cap. But Raina is not in his best of form and Rayudu's little technical deficiencies exposed off late might go against him scoring big this time.