New Zealand all-rounder Michael Bracewell will miss the one-day 2023 World Cup in India after rupturing his right Achilles tendon. The 32-year-old spin-bowling all-rounder is expected to need six to eight months to recover. First Kane Williamson and now Bracewell, two huge blows to New Zealand before the prestigious tournament.
Bracewell sustained the injury while playing for Worcestershire Rapids in the English T20 Blast. He will undergo surgery in Britain on Thursday. "Firstly, you always feel for the player when injury strikes and especially when it means they will have to miss a world event," New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said in a statement.
"Michael's naturally pretty disappointed, but also pragmatic in acknowledging that injuries are a part of the sport and he's now turning his focus to his rehabilitation," he added.
India are hosting the 2023 World Cup in October and November, with dates to be confirmed. New Zealand were runners-up to hosts England at the last 50-over World Cup in 2019.
Sai Sudharsan won the Orange Cap after a stellar season for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025. So, let's look at all the Orange Cap winners in IPL since 2008.
The player who scores the most runs in a single season of the IPL wins the Orange Cap award. This award has been given to the highest run-scorers since the first season of the Indian Premier League (2008). Cricketers must consistently play some brilliant innings and deliver match-winning performances in a season to win the Orange Cap. So, let's look at all the Orange Cap winners in IPL since 2008.
Shaun Marsh (616 runs in 11 matches in 2008) was the first player to win the award.
The record for most runs in a single IPL season is held by Virat Kohli (973 runs in the 2016 edition).
David Warner has the record of winning the Orange Cap the most number of times (3).
Rules for Orange Cap:
The Orange Cap is awarded to the leading run-scorer of the IPL season.
The batsman who holds the Orange Cap during the season is allowed to wear it while in the field during the games, as long as he holds the top-scorer spot in the tournament.
In a season where two or more batsmen are tied on runs, the batsman with a better strike rate is awarded the Orange Cap.
In a season where an opposition batsman overtakes the tally of the current holder of the Orange Cap, the previous holder is allowed to wear the Cap until the end of that particular innings in which another batsman overtakes him.
Orange Cap winners list in IPL since 2008
2008 - Shaun Marsh
Shaun Marsh won the Orange Cap in the inaugural IPL season | Image: X
Shaun Marsh from Punjab Kings is the Orange Cap winner of the inaugural edition of the IPL. The Australian batsman started the IPL journey with a bang. He scored 616 runs in only 11 matches with an average of 68.4 and a strike rate of 139.68. His 616 runs include 1 century and 5 half-centuries.
2009 - Matthew Hayden
Matthew Hayden was the top run-scorer in the 2009 season | Image: X
The next Orange Cap winner is Matthew Hayden. Even after his international retirement from the Australian Cricket team in early 2009, he proved his worth in that season. He showed a spectacular performance and scored a total of 572 runs in 12 matches. In the 2nd edition of IPL, he played for Chennai Super Kings and scored 5 half-centuries with an average of 52 and a strike rate of 144.81.
2010 - Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar won the Orange Cap in the 2010 season | Image: IPL
The God of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar has also enlisted his name in this list of Orange Cap winners. In the 2010 IPL, the then captain of Mumbai Indians aggregated 618 runs including 5 half-centuries in 15 matches. He represented his team in the best way possible and took the team to the final as well but unfortunately, MI finished their journey as runners-up after losing against CSK in the finals. In the 3rd edition of IPL, he played in 15 matches with an average of 47.53 and a strike rate of 132.61
2011 - Chris Gayle
Chris Gayle won the 2011 Orange Cap | Image: Getty
What is a list of top T20 scorers without Chris Gayle? It is incomplete indeed. Chris Gayle is undoubtedly one of the best players in the T20 format and one of the greatest hitters in all the formats of cricket. In the 2011 IPL, he scored a massive 608 runs in only 12 matches. One of his most distinguished factors is his strike rate. He played with a strike rate of 183.13 which is the highest of any Orange Cap winners in the tournament. Also, his total runs include 2 centuries and 3 half-centuries with an average of 67.55.
2012 - Chris Gayle
Chris Gayle was the top run-scorer in the 2012 season | Image: Getty
In the very next year, Chris Gayle again created several storms on the field and became the top run-scorer in the IPL 2012 season. No one could ever dare to come in the way of his extreme rise in the T20 format. In the 4th edition of IPL, the Jamaican cricketer scored a massive 733 runs including 1 century and 7 half-centuries in 15 matches. He played with an average of 61.08 and a strike rate of 160.74.
Michael Hussey won the Orange Cap in the 2013 season | Image: Getty
Michael Hussey, popularly known as Mr cricket has also made his name into this list with 733 runs in 17 matches. The Orange Cap winner of the 2013 IPL smashed 6 half-centuries with an average of 52.5 and a strike rate of 129.5. He made a huge contribution to CSK's entry into the finals. Unfortunately, MI won the title of the season.
2014 - Robin Uthappa
Robin Uthappa was the top run-scorer in the 2014 season | Image: X
One of the impactful players of IPL 2014 was Robin Uthappa. He played a key role in taking Kolkata Knight Riders into the finals and also winning their second title. Uthappa played in 16 matches and scored 660 runs including 5 half-centuries with an average of 44 and a strike rate of 137.78.
2015 - David Warner
David Warner won the Orange Cap in the 2015 season | Image: X
David Warner of Sunrisers Hyderabad was the Orange Cap winner of IPL 2015. The team played their debut match in 2013 and Warner made 2015 a good season for the team and the fans by scoring 562 runs in 14 matches. His total runs also include 7 half-centuries with an average of 43.23 and a strike rate of 156.54
2016 - Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli won the Orange Cap in the 2016 season | Image: Getty
A list of achievements by batsmen is incomplete without the King of Cricket Virat Kohli. The captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore is the highest run-scorer in a single edition of IPL. In 2016 IPL he smashed 4 centuries and 7 half-centuries to aggregate a total of 973 runs in 16 matches. In that season, he played with an average of 81.08 and a strike rate of 152.03. The 2016 IPL has been a good year for the team as they made it to the finals but unfortunately could not win the title.
2017 - David Warner
David Warner was the top run-scorer in the 2017 IPL season | Image: SRH/X
Once again David Warner had a spectacular season in the marquee T20 league and became the Orange Cap winner of IPL 2017. The captain of the defending winning team smashed 641 runs including 1 century and 4 half-centuries in 14 matches. He played with an average of 58.27 and a strike rate of 141.81.
Kane Williamson was the 2018 top run-scorer in the IPL | Image: Getty
IPL 2018 changed the T20 career of the New Zealand captain Kane Williamson. Before the season, he was not that appreciated as an impactful T20 player. But he utilized the opportunity and gave his best and proved his worth to everyone as a great batsman in all three formats. In 17 matches, he scored 735 runs including 8 half-centuries with an average of 52.5 and a strike rate of 142.44. The captain represented the team and took it to the final as well as won the Orange Cap.
2019 - David Warner
David Warner was the top run-scorer in the 2019 IPL season | Image: Getty
The only cricketer to win the Orange Cap 3 times in IPL history is none other than David Warner. He achieved this milestone in IPL 2019 by scoring 692 runs in 12 matches. He smashed 1 century and 8 half-centuries to score a total of 692 runs with an average of 69.2 and a strike rate of 143.86. His impactful performances along with his opening partner Jonny Bairstow took the team to the playoffs in IPL 2019 but unfortunately, they did not win the title.
2020 - KL Rahul
Kl Rahul was the top run-scorer in the 2020 IPL season | Image: iplt20.com
The skipper of Punjab Kings, Kl Rahul won the 2019 Orange Cap. He and his teammates were unable to end the journey on a good note but the captain made sure to glorify the team's name and became the highest run-scorer of the season. In 14 matches he scored 670 runs with an average of 55.83 and a strike rate of 129.34. His whopping 670 runs also include 1 century and 5 half-centuries.
2021 - Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad won the Orange Cap in the 2021 season | Image: BCCI
Chennai Super Kings's present skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad won the IPL 2021 orange cao for his sensational batting. He scored 635 runs in 16 innings at an average of 45.35. He was one of the few reasons CSK won their fourth IPL title in 2021. Gaikwad struck 4 half-centuries and one century that season with a best score of 101 not out.
2022 - Jos Buttler
Jos Buttler was the top run-scorer in the 2022 season | Image: BCCI
Jos Buttler was just unbelievable in the IPL 2022 season. Rajasthan didn't win the title but Buttler won hearts. He struck 863 runs in 17 innings at an average of 57.53 with 4 centuries and as many as half-centuries. He also became the second batter after Virat Kohli to score 4 centuries in a single IPL season. Buttler also struck a whooping 45 sixes that season, the fourth highest by a player in a season of the Indian cash-rich league.
2023 - Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill won the Orange Cap in the 2023 season | Image: iplt20.com
Gujarat Titans' present captain Shubman Gill had a season to remember in IPL 2023. He broke several records and won the prestigious Orange Cap. Gill finished as the leading run-scorer, amassing 890 runs in only 17 matches. He played big knocks in pivotal moments in the tournament to guide his side to back-to-back IPL finals. However, MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings clinched their fifth IPL title by defeating GT in the final. Gill’s 890 runs came at an impressive average of 59.33 and a strike rate of 157.80 while scoring three centuries and four fifties.
2024 - Virat Kohli
The 2024 was a brilliant season for Virat Kohli with the bat and he finished at the top of the highest run-getter charts in the Indian Premier League. He couldn't take RCB to the Final but did his part with the bat. RCB qualified for the playoffs after making a stupendous comeback, winning all their last six group-stage matches and lots of credit goes to Kohli. But, they got knocked out of the tournament after losing to Rajasthan in the Eliminator. Virat scored 741 runs at a spectacular average of 61.75 and a great strike rate of 154.69 which includes five half-centuries and one century. He was by far the best batsman of the 2024 season and won his second-ever orange cap in the history of the competition.
2025 - Sai Sudharsan
Sai Sudharsan won the Orange Cap after a stellar season for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025. It was the form of their top three that powered GT’s run to the playoffs this season and Sudharsan led the way in a lineup that included his captain Shubman Gill and an all-time T20 great in Jos Buttler. Sudharsan finished the season with 759 runs in 15 matches at an average of 54.21 and maintained a strike rate of 156.17. He scored six half-centuries and one century.
After the Champions Trophy 2025, India's target in ODI cricket will be the ODI World Cup 2027. In such a situation, know what is Team India's ODI schedule till the World Cup 2027. The Men in Blue have to play a total of 9 series in the next ICC ODI tournament, which includes 27 matches.
Apart from this, some more ODI matches can be scheduled near the tournament. So, know what is the ODI schedule of Indian Cricket Team till 2027 and when India will face which team.
The ODI World Cup2027 will be held around October to December. Before this, the Indian team is going to play a lot of matches. India have to play 3-match ODI series against 8 teams. They will play series twice against one country.
India will play New Zealand twice
India will play Australia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, West Indies and Sri Lanka once each in the upcoming ODI series, while it will play New Zealand twice. Out of the nine series, India will play six series at home, while the rest will be held outside the country.
It will start with the tour of Bangladesh in August, which will be played this year. In October-November 2025, India has to play a three-match ODI series on its tour of Australia. South Africa's team will tour India in November-December.
India will host Sri Lankan team in December 2026
In January 2026, the New Zealand team will play an ODI series in India. After this, India has to play a three-match series against Afghanistan in June. In July 2026, Team India will have to play the same number of ODI series on its tour of England.
The West Indies team is scheduled to tour India in September-October. There will be an ODI series against New Zealand at home in October-November. India will host the Sri Lankan team for an ODI series in December 2026.
Cricket, a sport loved by millions around the world, has witnessed the rise of several legendary players. In the modern era, four exceptional batsmen have stood out with their consistent brilliance, earning them the title of the “Fab Four players.” Their performances are often compared under the widely discussed Fab four Stats.
Virat Kohli recently announced his retirement from Test cricket earlier today (May 12) with a post on his official Instagram handle. He ended his 14-year illustrious career in the format.
In this article, we will take a closer look at their remarkable careers, comparing their updated statistics and achievements to understand what makes them the finest batsmen of the modern era in Test cricket.
So, let's take a look at the statistics of the Fav Four in Test cricket.
Fav four in Test cricket | Kohli vs Root vs Williamson vs Smith
Test cricket, often considered the ultimate test of a player’s skill and temperament, has seen these four players shine brightly. Here’s how they stack up in the longest format.
Virat Kohli's peak in Test cricket arrived well before the likes of Joe Root and Kane Williamson. Steve Smith matched him toe to toe during that period, but the 12-month ban due to the sandpaper gate overshadowed his brilliance in the format.
However, when we compare the numbers of Fab four in 2025, Kohli has fallen way behind his contemporaries. Root is at the peak of his powers in Test cricket in the last five years while Williamson has never really been out of form in the whites.
Smith has been on and off over the last couple of years, but his form has never been a concern for Australia in Tests. When it comes to runs, averages and centuries, Kohli ranks last among Fab four and a lot of it has to do with his downfall in the format since November 2019.
Fav four in Test cricket | How Kohli finished in Tests compared to Fab four
It is certain that Virat Kohli, who was once untouchable in the debate of Fab Four, will remain at the bottom forever when compared to his contemporaries. Only if his form hadn't dropped after November 2019, the 36-year-old, today, has stepped down from the format with some unreal numbers.
If anyone has followed cricket casually over the last decade, they're likely familiar with four key names: former Indian captain Virat Kohli, batting genius Steve Smith, English great Joe Root, and New Zealand's all-time leading run-scorer Kane Williamson.
They together are known as the 'Fab Four' in the modern era of cricket.
Each of them has set new benchmarks for performance, continually pushing one another to enhance their skills. These four batsmen have not only dominated the world of cricket but have also met the expectations of their respective nations.
In this article, we will examine the statistics of the Fab Four across all formats.
Fav Four in cricket: How many runs & centuries have they scored in International Cricket?
Virat Kohli has been the most prolific all-format batter among the fav-four. Kohli, till now in his 550 international games, has scored 27,599 runs with an outstanding average of 52.27. His record of 82 international centuries is only second to Sachin Tendulkar's 100 international centuries.
Joe Root comes in second among them with 20,724 runs so far for England across formats. However, undoubtedly, he has been the best test batter of his generation with 12972 test runs, which sets him as the highest test run scorer for England. Root has also scored 53 international hundreds, of which 36 came in tests only.
Kane Williamson, New Zealand's highest runscorer in international cricket, comes at number three in terms of international runs among the fav four. The former Kiwi leader has scored 19,086 runs so far in his career at an average of 48.56. Kane is now only two short of reaching 50 international hundreds.
Aussie great Steven Smith comes at four with 17,165 runs at an average of 47.81. A late bloomer with the bat, Smith has been outstanding for Australia in tests and ODIs. Along with Root, Smith has also been one of the greatest test batters of this generation.
Here is a comparison of international stats of the fav four.
ICC Anounces Venue and Key Dates for The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 England
ICC has confirmed seven venues that will host the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 in England next year, with the Lord's Cricket Ground set as the venue for the Final.
The ICChas officially announced that the Final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be held at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground on 5th July. The news was shared during a special launch event at Lord’s on 1st May.
Alongside this major reveal, it was confirmed that the matches will also be played at other popular venues across England, including Edgbaston, the Hampshire Bowl, Headingley, Old Trafford, The Oval, and the Bristol County Ground.
The tournament is set to kick off on 12th June and will run for 24 days, featuring a total of 33 matches leading up to the highly anticipated final at Lord’s. The complete match schedule is expected to be released soon.
All the confirmed venues for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026. Image | ICC
Featuring a record 12 teams, the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will be the biggest edition in the tournament’s history. With two more teams than the previous edition, fans can expect fierce competition as the world’s top sides battle it out for the title.
Qualified Teams for the Women's T20 World Cup 2026
England (Host)
Australia
India
New Zealand
Pakistan
South Africa
Sri Lanka
West Indies
Four additional teams will join them through the Qualifier scheduled next year.
The 12 teams will be split into two groups of six for the group stage, followed by the knockout rounds and finals.
Official Statement
ICC Chairman Jay Shah opened up about the tournament, saying, "The confirmation of venues represents a defining moment as we build towards the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026"
"The sell-out Women’s Cricket World Cup final at Lord’s in 2017 remains a landmark in the rise of the women’s game, and I cannot think of a more fitting stage for the final."
"As we turn our focus to preparing for the tournament, we are excited by the promise of thrilling T20 action that will not only captivate fans here but also serve as a showcase for cricket’s return on the Olympic stage in Los Angeles 2028."
Legacy
New Zealand Women's Cricket Team celebrating their 1st title defeating South Africa in the final. Image | ESPNcricinfo
Moving on from the most recent edition, hosted by Bangladesh in the UAE in 2024, saw New Zealandclaim their first-ever title, defeating South Africa by 32 runs in the final.
The 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup will mark the milestone 10th edition of the tournament, which began in 2009.
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