The Indian Premier League (IPL) is not just about winning the trophy; it’s also about celebrating individual brilliance. Every season, the league recognizes outstanding performances by players through various awards. These include the Orange Cap, Purple Cap, Most Valuable Player (MVP), Emerging Player, Fair Play Award, and other notable accolades.
List of Indian Premier League awards
Let’s take a detailed look at all the IPL awards, their history, winners, and significance.
1. Orange Cap – Leading Run Scorer
The Orange Cap is awarded to the player who scores the most runs in an IPL season. The batsman with the highest runs at any point in the tournament wears the Orange Cap while fielding. The final winner is determined at the end of the season.
Notable Facts:
- Shaun Marsh (2008) was the first-ever winner.
- David Warner has won the Orange Cap the most times (2015, 2017, 2019).
- Virat Kohli holds the record for most runs in a single season (973 in 2016).
Orange Cap Winners (2008-2024)
| Year | Player | Team | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Shaun Marsh | Punjab Kings | 616 |
| 2016 | Virat Kohli | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 973 |
| 2023 | Shubman Gill | Gujarat Titans | 890 |
| 2024 | Virat Kohli | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 741 |
2. Purple Cap – Leading Wicket Taker
The Purple Cap is given to the bowler who takes the most wickets in a season. The leading wicket-taker during the tournament wears the cap while fielding.
Notable Facts:
- Sohail Tanvir (2008) was the first-ever winner.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Dwayne Bravo have won it twice.
- Dwayne Bravo (2013) and Harshal Patel (2021) hold the record for most wickets in a single season (32).
Purple Cap Winners (2008-2024)
| Year | Player | Team | Wickets |
| 2008 | Sohail Tanvir | Rajasthan Royals | 22 |
| 2021 | Harshal Patel | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 32 |
| 2023 | Mohammed Shami | Gujarat Titans | 28 |
| 2024 | Harshal Patel | Punjab Kings | 24 |
3. Most Sixes Award – Biggest Power Hitter
This award recognizes the player who has hit the most sixes in an IPL season.
Notable Facts:
- Chris Gayle has won the award four times (2011, 2012, 2013, 2015).
- Andre Russell (2019) holds the record for most sixes in a single season (52).
Most Sixes Winners (2008-2024)
| Year | Player | Team | Sixes |
| 2011 | Chris Gayle | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 44 |
| 2019 | Andre Russell | Kolkata Knight Riders | 52 |
| 2023 | Faf du Plessis | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 36 |
| 2024 | Abhishek Sharma | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 42 |
4. Most Valuable Player (MVP) – The Best of the Best
Previously known as “Man of the Tournament,” the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award is based on a points system. Runs, wickets, catches, and economy rates all contribute to a player’s MVP score.
Notable Facts:
- Shane Watson (2008, 2013), Andre Russell (2015, 2019), and Sunil Narine (2012, 2018, 2024) have won the award multiple times.
- Virat Kohli (2016) holds the record for most MVP points in a season.
MVP Winners (2008-2024)
| Year | Player | Team | Points |
| 2016 | Virat Kohli | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 356.5 |
| 2019 | Andre Russell | Kolkata Knight Riders | 369 |
| 2023 | Shubman Gill | Gujarat Titans | 343 |
| 2024 | Sunil Narine | Kolkata Knight Riders | 450 |
5. Emerging Player Award – Rising Stars
The Emerging Player Award is given to the best young talent in the IPL. Initially known as “Best Under-23 Player,” the award is now given to any player under 26 who has played fewer than 25 IPL matches at the start of the season.
Notable Facts:
- Mustafizur Rahman (2016) is the only overseas player to win the award.
- Shubman Gill (2019) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (2021) have gone on to become key players in their teams.
Emerging Player Winners (2008-2024)
| Year | Player | Team |
| 2016 | Mustafizur Rahman | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| 2021 | Ruturaj Gaikwad | Chennai Super Kings |
| 2023 | Yashasvi Jaiswal | Rajasthan Royals |
| 2024 | Nitish Kumar Reddy | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
6. Fair Play Award – Upholding the Spirit of the Game
The Fair Play Award is given to the team that plays with the best sportsmanship. Umpires rate teams based on their conduct during matches, including respect for opponents and umpires.
Fair Play Award Winners (2008-2024)
| Year | Team |
| 2008 | Chennai Super Kings |
| 2016 | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| 2021 | Rajasthan Royals |
| 2024 | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
Final Thoughts
The IPL is not just about winning the trophy; it also honors individual brilliance. From record-breaking runs and wickets to young talents making a mark, these awards celebrate excellence in the league. With every season, the race for these prestigious awards gets even more exciting, making the IPL a must-watch tournament for cricket fans around the world.