The following table shows the top five leading run scorers in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2009 held in South Africa. I will update this list of best batsman regularly as the IPL 2009 tournament progresses. As you all know, the leading run scorer will be presented with an Orange cap, to signify that he is the best batsman of the IPL tournament.
History of Orange Cap in IPL 2009:Rahul Dravid> Matthew Hayden> Rahul Dravid> Matthew Hayden
Movements in the Top Five BatsmenFINAL UPDATE: Matthew Hayden wins the orange cap after holding on to it for almost the entire tournament. He is the only batsman in IPL 2009 to score more than 500 runs. Adam Gilchrist, another Australian, led the Deccan Chargers to the championship and finished second in the table. The disappointing semi-final losers Delhi Daredevils and Chennai Super Kings have AB de Villiers, Suresh Raina and TM Dilshan in the top five list.
Results updated after Match #52:Matthew Hayden is still on top, in spite of not playing in the match against Kolkata Knight Riders, which Chennai Super Kings lost in the final delivery. AB de Villiers has reduced the gap between the first and second to around 100 runs. Gilchrist and Raina are just being AB. JP Duminy is on the fifth place, but he may not be able to hold on to that position for long as Mumbai Indians will be playing just one more match in the tournament.
Results updated after Match #45:Matthew Hayden is running away with the orange cap. Hayden currently has a lead of more than 150 runs over his nearest rival Adam Gilchrist. Suresh Raina moved up one place to the third position. At the bottom of the table, Sachin Tendulkar replaced team mate JP Duminy for the fifth position.
Results updated after Match #43: Adam Gilchrist and AB de Villiers moved into the second and third positions respectively. Adam Gilchrist's powerful hitting almost took Deccan Chargers to victory against the leaders Delhi Daredevils. After quite some time, Suresh Raina falls off the second spot. But, he can move up there if he puts up a commanding show in tonight's game against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Results updated after Match #40:No changes to the list after this match between Deccan Chargers and Rajasthan Royals, which was won by Deccan Chargers rather convincingly.
Results updated after Match #39:Matthew Hayden is running away with the orange cap, with more than 100 runs ahead of the second placed Suresh Raina. JP Duminy of Mumbai Indians moves up one slot into the third position. Yuvraj Singh and AB de Villiers complete the list.
Results updated after Match #32: Not many changes in the list. JP Duminy of Mumbai Indians comes into the fourth position.
Results updated after Match #29: Matthew Hayden and Suresh Raina retain their top rankings as they led Chennai Super Kings to another convincing victory against Deccan Chargers.
Results updated after Match #28: Brad Hodge finished just 16 runs behind the leader Matthew Hayden, following his two knocks in the seventies. The pity is that Brad Hodge cannot ensure Kolkata win in spite of his valuable knocks. Jacques Kallis is playing consistently for the resurgent Royal Challengers Bangalore and he finishes at No. 4 in the list.
Results updated after Match #26: Mathew Hayden and Suresh Raina continue to remain at the top and their good show helped Chennai Super Kings to win their match against Delhi Daredevils.
Results updated after Match #24: Mathew Hayden and Suresh Raina, both from Chennai Super Kings occupy the top two slots. The next two spots are with Mumbai Indians, Sachin Tendulkar and JP Duminy.
Results updated after Match #20: Mathew Hayden, Herschelle Gibbs and AB de Villiers remain at the top. Kumar Sangakkara moves into the fourth spot pushing Sachin Tendulkar one spot below.
Results updated after Match #18: Mathew Hayden and Herschelle Gibbs remain at the top. AB de Villiers takes the third spot following a powerful half-century against Rajasthan Royals. Sachin Tendulkar and Adam Gilchrist moves down one spot. Rahul Dravid, out of action, is the player to miss out on the top five batsmen list.
Results updated after Match #17: Mathew Hayden still holds the orange cap. Rahul Dravid, who is back in India for personal reasons, has dropped down to fifth position. Herschelle Gibbs, Adam Gilchrist and Sachin Tendulkar moves up following their strong performances in the matches played yesterday.
Results updated after Match #15: Mathew Hayden, Rahul Dravid and Ravi Bopara remain in the top three positions. AB de Villiers and Kumar Sangakkara moves into the two remaining slots to complete the list of top five best batsmen of IPL 2009.
Results updated after Match #13: Mathew Hayden and Rahul Dravid still hold on to the first and second position respectively. Ravi Bopara, Adam Gilchrist and Herschelle Gibbs moves into the third, fourth and fifth position respectively.
Results updated after Match #10: Mathew Hayden took back the orange cap from Rahul Dravid, after a stunning half-century against Delhi Daredevils. AB De Villiers moved into the third position after scoring the first century of IPL 2009 that propelled Delhi Daredevils to an imposing total against Chennai Super Kings. Chris Gayle moves back to the fourth position pushing Rohit Sharma down one place. Adam Gilchrist and Virat Kohli drops out of the top five.
Results updated after Match #8: Rahul Dravid, thanks to his aggressive 48 against Deccan Chargers, moves to the top and takes back the orange cap from Mathew Hayden. Rohit Sharma, Adam Gilchrist and Virat Kohli moves into the top five replacing Sachin Tendulkar, Chris Gayle and Yuvraj Singh. All the three players scored scintillating half-centuries in the match.
