Updated October 2026 | All stats are as of the end of IPL 2026 (final played 31 May 2026).
The most runs in a single IPL season is 973, by Virat Kohli for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2016. This page ranks the 20 best individual batting campaigns in IPL history, shows how the single-season record has moved since 2008, lists the leading run scorer of every season and looks at which active players have come closest.
More records are in our IPL records section.
What This Record Measures and Why It Is Hard
This record counts every run a batter scores across one IPL season, league phase and playoffs together. It rewards consistency over a full campaign rather than one big innings: a batter needs to score heavily almost every time he walks out, for two months, and his team needs to go deep into the playoffs to give him the extra matches.
Seasons are not equal in length. Early seasons had 14 to 16 matches per team at most; since 2022, with ten teams, a finalist plays 16 or 17. Pitches and the Impact Player rule have also pushed scoring up since 2023. So a 2016 total and a 2025 total are not quite like for like, and the table shows matches and strike rate to help compare them.
Most Runs in a Season in the IPL: The Complete All-Time Leaderboard (Top 20)
| Rank | Player | Team | Runs | Matches | SR | Avg | 100s | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virat Kohli | RCB | 973 | 16 | 152.03 | 81.08 | 4 | 2016 |
| 2 | Shubman Gill | GT | 890 | 17 | 157.80 | 59.33 | 3 | 2023 |
| 3 | Jos Buttler | RR | 863 | 17 | 149.05 | 57.53 | 4 | 2022 |
| 4 | David Warner | SRH | 848 | 17 | 151.43 | 60.57 | 0 | 2016 |
| 5 | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | RR | 776 | 16 | 237.31 | 48.50 | 1 | 2026 |
| 6 | Sai Sudharsan | GT | 759 | 15 | 156.17 | 54.21 | 1 | 2025 |
| 7 | Virat Kohli | RCB | 741 | 15 | 154.70 | 61.75 | 1 | 2024 |
| 8 | Kane Williamson | SRH | 735 | 17 | 142.44 | 52.50 | 0 | 2018 |
| 9 | Chris Gayle | RCB | 733 | 15 | 160.75 | 61.08 | 1 | 2012 |
| 10 | Mike Hussey | CSK | 733 | 17 | 129.51 | 52.36 | 0 | 2013 |
| 11 | Shubman Gill | GT | 732 | 16 | 163.03 | 45.75 | 1 | 2026 |
| 12 | Faf du Plessis | RCB | 730 | 14 | 153.68 | 56.15 | 0 | 2023 |
| 13 | Sai Sudharsan | GT | 722 | 17 | 157.99 | 45.12 | 1 | 2026 |
| 14 | Suryakumar Yadav | MI | 717 | 16 | 167.92 | 65.18 | 0 | 2025 |
| 15 | Chris Gayle | RCB | 708 | 16 | 156.29 | 59.00 | 1 | 2013 |
| 16 | David Warner | SRH | 692 | 12 | 143.87 | 69.20 | 1 | 2019 |
| 17 | AB de Villiers | RCB | 687 | 16 | 168.80 | 52.85 | 1 | 2016 |
| 18 | Rishabh Pant | DC | 684 | 14 | 173.60 | 52.62 | 1 | 2018 |
| 19 | Virat Kohli | RCB | 675 | 16 | 165.85 | 56.25 | 1 | 2026 |
| 20 | Devon Conway | CSK | 672 | 16 | 139.71 | 51.69 | 0 | 2023 |
Players with more than one season in the top 20: Virat Kohli (3), Shubman Gill (2), David Warner (2), Sai Sudharsan (2), Chris Gayle (2).
The top 20 seasons in profile
1. Virat Kohli, 2016: 973 runs in 16 matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore, at an average of 81.08 and a strike rate of 152.03, with 4 hundreds, 7 fifties and 38 sixes. Highest score 113.
2. Shubman Gill, 2023: 890 runs in 17 matches for Gujarat Titans, at an average of 59.33 and a strike rate of 157.80, with 3 hundreds, 4 fifties and 33 sixes. Highest score 129.
3. Jos Buttler, 2022: 863 runs in 17 matches for Rajasthan Royals, at an average of 57.53 and a strike rate of 149.05, with 4 hundreds, 4 fifties and 45 sixes. Highest score 116.
4. David Warner, 2016: 848 runs in 17 matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad, at an average of 60.57 and a strike rate of 151.43, with 0 hundreds, 9 fifties and 31 sixes. Highest score 93*.
5. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, 2026: 776 runs in 16 matches for Rajasthan Royals, at an average of 48.50 and a strike rate of 237.31, with 1 hundred, 5 fifties and 72 sixes. Highest score 103.
6. Sai Sudharsan, 2025: 759 runs in 15 matches for Gujarat Titans, at an average of 54.21 and a strike rate of 156.17, with 1 hundred, 6 fifties and 21 sixes. Highest score 108*.
7. Virat Kohli, 2024: 741 runs in 15 matches for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, at an average of 61.75 and a strike rate of 154.70, with 1 hundred, 5 fifties and 38 sixes. Highest score 113*.
8. Kane Williamson, 2018: 735 runs in 17 matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad, at an average of 52.50 and a strike rate of 142.44, with 0 hundreds, 8 fifties and 28 sixes. Highest score 84.
9. Chris Gayle, 2012: 733 runs in 15 matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore, at an average of 61.08 and a strike rate of 160.75, with 1 hundred, 7 fifties and 59 sixes. Highest score 128*.
10. Mike Hussey, 2013: 733 runs in 17 matches for Chennai Super Kings, at an average of 52.36 and a strike rate of 129.51, with 0 hundreds, 6 fifties and 17 sixes. Highest score 95.
11. Shubman Gill, 2026: 732 runs in 16 matches for Gujarat Titans, at an average of 45.75 and a strike rate of 163.03, with 1 hundred, 6 fifties and 33 sixes. Highest score 104.
12. Faf du Plessis, 2023: 730 runs in 14 matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore, at an average of 56.15 and a strike rate of 153.68, with 0 hundreds, 8 fifties and 36 sixes. Highest score 84.
13. Sai Sudharsan, 2026: 722 runs in 17 matches for Gujarat Titans, at an average of 45.12 and a strike rate of 157.99, with 1 hundred, 8 fifties and 30 sixes. Highest score 100.
14. Suryakumar Yadav, 2025: 717 runs in 16 matches for Mumbai Indians, at an average of 65.18 and a strike rate of 167.92, with 0 hundreds, 5 fifties and 38 sixes. Highest score 73*.
15. Chris Gayle, 2013: 708 runs in 16 matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore, at an average of 59.00 and a strike rate of 156.29, with 1 hundred, 4 fifties and 51 sixes. Highest score 175*.
16. David Warner, 2019: 692 runs in 12 matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad, at an average of 69.20 and a strike rate of 143.87, with 1 hundred, 8 fifties and 21 sixes. Highest score 100*.
17. AB de Villiers, 2016: 687 runs in 16 matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore, at an average of 52.85 and a strike rate of 168.80, with 1 hundred, 6 fifties and 37 sixes. Highest score 129*.
18. Rishabh Pant, 2018: 684 runs in 14 matches for Delhi Daredevils, at an average of 52.62 and a strike rate of 173.60, with 1 hundred, 5 fifties and 37 sixes. Highest score 128*.
19. Virat Kohli, 2026: 675 runs in 16 matches for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, at an average of 56.25 and a strike rate of 165.85, with 1 hundred, 5 fifties and 25 sixes. Highest score 105*.
20. Devon Conway, 2023: 672 runs in 16 matches for Chennai Super Kings, at an average of 51.69 and a strike rate of 139.71, with 0 hundreds, 6 fifties and 18 sixes. Highest score 92*.
Virat Kohli’s 2016 season sits on its own. His 973 runs is 83 more than anyone else has managed, he scored four hundreds in seven weeks, and he did it as captain while carrying a Bengaluru side that reached the final. David Warner’s 848 that same year, for the Sunrisers side that beat Bengaluru in the final, is the highest single-season total without a hundred: nine fifties in 17 matches.
Jos Buttler matched Kohli’s four hundreds in 2022, and Shubman Gill’s 890 in 2023 included three hundreds, the last of them 129 in Qualifier 2 against Mumbai. The 2026 season put three batters into the top 13, a sign of how scoring has risen. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s 776 is the fastest of all 20 campaigns by a distance, with a strike rate of 237.31 and 72 sixes, the most sixes ever hit in an IPL season. Mike Hussey’s 733 for Chennai in 2013, at a strike rate under 130, is the opposite type of season: a run-maker who batted through innings rather than blasted them.
Who Holds It Now and How It Was Set
Virat Kohli, 2016: 973 runs in 16 matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore, at an average of 81.08 and a strike rate of 152.03, with 4 hundreds, 7 fifties and 38 sixes. Highest score 113. Royal Challengers Bangalore reached the final that season.
Kohli’s four hundreds that season came in less than a month: 100* against Gujarat Lions on 24 April, 108* against Rising Pune Supergiant on 7 May, 109 against Gujarat Lions on 14 May and 113 against Kings XI Punjab on 18 May. Bengaluru won five of their last six league games to reach the playoffs, then lost the final to Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight runs, with Kohli out for 54. No batter has come within 80 runs of his total in the ten seasons since, even in 16- and 17-match campaigns.
How the Record Has Changed Hands Over the Years
The single-season record each time it was raised:
| Season | Player | Team | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Shaun Marsh | PBKS | 616 |
| 2010 | Sachin Tendulkar | MI | 618 |
| 2012 | Chris Gayle | RCB | 733 |
| 2013 | Mike Hussey (equalled) | CSK | 733 |
| 2016 | Virat Kohli | RCB | 973 |
Season-by-Season Best
The Orange Cap goes to the leading run scorer of each season. Here is every season’s leader:
| Season | Player | Team | Runs | Matches | SR | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Shaun Marsh | PBKS | 616 | 11 | 139.68 | 68.44 |
| 2009 | Matthew Hayden | CSK | 572 | 12 | 144.81 | 52.00 |
| 2010 | Sachin Tendulkar | MI | 618 | 15 | 132.62 | 47.54 |
| 2011 | Chris Gayle | RCB | 608 | 12 | 183.13 | 67.56 |
| 2012 | Chris Gayle | RCB | 733 | 15 | 160.75 | 61.08 |
| 2013 | Mike Hussey | CSK | 733 | 17 | 129.51 | 52.36 |
| 2014 | Robin Uthappa | KKR | 660 | 16 | 137.79 | 44.00 |
| 2015 | David Warner | SRH | 562 | 14 | 156.55 | 43.23 |
| 2016 | Virat Kohli | RCB | 973 | 16 | 152.03 | 81.08 |
| 2017 | David Warner | SRH | 641 | 14 | 141.81 | 58.27 |
| 2018 | Kane Williamson | SRH | 735 | 17 | 142.44 | 52.50 |
| 2019 | David Warner | SRH | 692 | 12 | 143.87 | 69.20 |
| 2020 | KL Rahul | PBKS | 670 | 14 | 129.34 | 55.83 |
| 2021 | Ruturaj Gaikwad | CSK | 635 | 16 | 136.27 | 45.36 |
| 2022 | Jos Buttler | RR | 863 | 17 | 149.05 | 57.53 |
| 2023 | Shubman Gill | GT | 890 | 17 | 157.80 | 59.33 |
| 2024 | Virat Kohli | RCB | 741 | 15 | 154.70 | 61.75 |
| 2025 | Sai Sudharsan | GT | 759 | 15 | 156.17 | 54.21 |
| 2026 | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | RR | 776 | 16 | 237.31 | 48.50 |
How often has the cap winner’s team won the title? 2 times in 19 seasons. The season-by-season story:
2008: Shaun Marsh led the season with 616 runs in 11 matches for Kings XI Punjab, who finished 2nd in the league.
2009: Matthew Hayden led the season with 572 runs in 12 matches for Chennai Super Kings, who finished 2nd in the league.
2010: Sachin Tendulkar led the season with 618 runs in 15 matches for Mumbai Indians, who lost the final.
2011: Chris Gayle led the season with 608 runs in 12 matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore, who lost the final.
2012: Chris Gayle led the season with 733 runs in 15 matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore, who finished 5th in the league.
2013: Mike Hussey led the season with 733 runs in 17 matches for Chennai Super Kings, who lost the final.
2014: Robin Uthappa led the season with 660 runs in 16 matches for Kolkata Knight Riders, who won the title.
2015: David Warner led the season with 562 runs in 14 matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad, who finished 6th in the league.
2016: Virat Kohli led the season with 973 runs in 16 matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore, who lost the final.
2017: David Warner led the season with 641 runs in 14 matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad, who finished 3rd in the league.
2018: Kane Williamson led the season with 735 runs in 17 matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad, who lost the final.
2019: David Warner led the season with 692 runs in 12 matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad, who finished 4th in the league.
2020: KL Rahul led the season with 670 runs in 14 matches for Kings XI Punjab, who finished 6th in the league.
2021: Ruturaj Gaikwad led the season with 635 runs in 16 matches for Chennai Super Kings, who won the title.
2022: Jos Buttler led the season with 863 runs in 17 matches for Rajasthan Royals, who lost the final.
2023: Shubman Gill led the season with 890 runs in 17 matches for Gujarat Titans, who lost the final.
2024: Virat Kohli led the season with 741 runs in 15 matches for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who finished 4th in the league.
2025: Sai Sudharsan led the season with 759 runs in 15 matches for Gujarat Titans, who finished 3rd in the league.
2026: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi led the season with 776 runs in 16 matches for Rajasthan Royals, who finished 4th in the league.
Active Players Closest to Breaking It
| Player | Season | Runs | Gap to record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 2016 | 973 | 0 |
| Shubman Gill | 2023 | 890 | 83 |
| Jos Buttler | 2022 | 863 | 110 |
| Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | 2026 | 776 | 197 |
| Sai Sudharsan | 2025 | 759 | 214 |
| Virat Kohli | 2024 | 741 | 232 |
| Shubman Gill | 2026 | 732 | 241 |
| Sai Sudharsan | 2026 | 722 | 251 |
| Suryakumar Yadav | 2025 | 717 | 256 |
| Rishabh Pant | 2018 | 684 | 289 |
Related Records Worth Knowing
Related record pages: IPL Purple Cap winners, IPL Orange Cap winners, fastest century in IPL history, most sixes in IPL history, most wickets in IPL history, and the full IPL records section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who holds the record for most runs in a single IPL season?
Virat Kohli, with 973 for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2016 (as of the end of IPL 2026).
When was this record set?
In IPL 2016.
Has this record ever been broken twice by the same player?
The record has been raised by Shaun Marsh, Sachin Tendulkar, Chris Gayle, Mike Hussey (equalled), Virat Kohli.