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3. KL Rahul could become the first Indian to win back-to-back Orange Cap titles
Chris Gayle is the only batsman in IPL history to retain his Orange Cap title. No Indian batter has achieved this feat so far. Punjab Kings captain KL Rahul will have the opportunity to join Gayle in the elite club this year.
As mentioned ahead, Rahul bagged the Orange Cap last year with 670 runs in 14 innings. The right-handed batsman has been a part of the IPL since 2013, but 2020 was only the second time he breached the 600-run mark in a single season.
IPL 2020 was also the first time KL Rahul led a team in the competition. Given he will have more experience now, Rahul could improve his consistency and breach the 700-run mark in 2021.
If Rahul wins the Orange Cap again, he could cement his spot in the T20 World Cup squad.
2. David Warner
David Warner is the only cricketer in IPL history to win three Orange Cap titles. The Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper captured the prestigious prize for the first time in 2015. His second Orange Cap title came in 2017, while in 2019, he bagged his third Orange Cap.
If one looks at the trend of his Orange Cap awards, David Warner should win it again in 2021.
Warner aggregated 548 runs and finished third on the batsmen's leaderboard in IPL 2020. Looking at his record in India, the chances of Warner winning his fourth Orange Cap are very high.
1. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli returned to form in the recently-concluded T20I series against England. The Indian skipper registered a 50+ score in three different batting positions during the five T20Is.
Kohli remained unbeaten in the last T20I after he came out to open with Rohit Sharma. Soon after, the Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper confirmed he would open the innings for his franchise in IPL 2021.
Since Kohli will get an opportunity to face more deliveries in the IPL this year, he will be the number one contender to win the Orange Cap.
Virat's batting average rises from 38.17 to 47.86 when he opens in IPL. His batting strike rate also goes up from 130.74 to 140.17.
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