The 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) is all set to get underway from April 9, with the final to be played on May 30. Last year, the event was held in the UAE owing to the COVID-19 crisis in India. While the tournament returns to its country of origin this year, the entire IPL season is likely to be played behind closed doors under a bio-bubble, as the threat of Coronavirus remains strong. Also, the competition will be held at a few select venues across the country to reduce the threat of Coronavirus spreading. At the conclusion of each IPL, apart from the usual player of the final award, a number of interesting honours are given away to cricketers who have performed exceedingly well. Here’s the list.
1. Orange Cap
The Orange Cap gets presented to the top run-getter of the IPL edition. As the tournament progresses, the leading run-scorer at that particular point gets to wear the Orange Cap, which means multiple players can have worn it during a season. This is often the case. At the end of an edition, the player with the most number of runs is the actual winner of the Orange Cap. Shaun Marsh was the first winner of the award during the inaugural season in 2008. He scored 616 runs for Punjab Kings in 11 matches. David Warner is the only player with three orange cap awards in the year 2015, 2017, and 2019.
Who won the Orange Cap in IPL 2020?
Punjab Kings captain KL Rahul won the Orange Cap in IPL 2020. He amassed 670 runs from 14 innings at an average of 55.83 and a strike-rate of 129.34.
2. Purple Cap
This is the bowlers’ equivalent of the Orange Cap. The bowler with the most wickets during the course of the tournament gets to wear the Purple Cap. At the end of an edition, the bowler with the most number of wickets is declared the winner of the Purple Cap. In the event of a tie, the bowler with the better economy rate gets the Purple Cap. Sohail Tanvir of Rajasthan Royals was the first winner of the Purple Cap. He claimed 22 wickets in 11 games.
Which bowlers have won the Purple Cap twice?
Dwayne Bravo (2013 and 2015) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2016 and 2017) are the only bowlers to have won the Purple Cap twice.
3. Maximum Sixes Award
This is a self-explanatory award. At the conclusion of each edition of the IPL, the player who has hit the most number of sixes is declared the winner of the Maximum Sixes Award. Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya, playing for Mumbai Indians in 2008, was the first winner of the award. He smashed 31 sixes in 14 games. Chris Gayle has won this award four times – 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2015.
Who was the Sixer King of IPL 2020?
The talented Ishan Kishan hammered the most sixes in IPL 2020 (30). Playing for Mumbai Indians, he was the franchise’s highest run-getter – 516 runs in 14 games.
4. Most Valuable Player
This is basically the player of the tournament award, but with a jazzy name. From 2008 to 2012, the traditional player of the series award was in place. The Most Valuable Player (MVP) was introduced in 2013, the winner of which is decided on the basis of a points system. Every four-hit is equal to 2.5 points. Every six hit and wicket taken is equal to 3.5 points each. Every dot ball bowled results in 1 point. Every catch taken and stumping effected gets 2.5 points each. The player with the most points wins the Most Valuable Player award. Shane Watson, playing for Rajasthan Royals in 2013, was the first winner of the MVP. He accumulated 386 points. Andre Russell of Kolkata Knight Riders is the only player to win this award twice in the year 2015 and 2019.
Who is the only Indian to win the MVP award?
Virat Kohli of RCB is the only Indian to win the MVP award. He claimed the honour in 2016 for accumulating 356.5 points. (Sachin Tendulkar was the player of the tournament in 2010).
5. Emerging Player of the Year
This award has changed many names over the years, just like RCB have changed players. It was the “best under-19 player” in 2008 and “best under-23 player” in 2009 and 2010 and so on. Since 2014, the award has been named “Emerging Player of the Year” and has remained consistent. As the name suggests, the award is given to a young and upcoming cricketer, who has performed very well in an edition.
Who won the Emerging Player award in IPL 2020?
Devdutt Padikkal won the Emerging Player award in IPL 2020. He scored 473 runs in 15 games for RCB.
6. Fair play award
The Fair play award is given to the franchise which is deemed to have upheld the spirit of the game in the best manner during an edition. Umpires give points to the teams. A team can be awarded a maximum of ten points per match. Four points are given on the basis of how the team has adhered to the “spirit of the game”. The other three criteria are respect towards opposition, laws of cricket and the umpires. Each criteria is worth 2 points. In the end, the team with the most points is the winner.
Which IPL team has the most fair play awards?
Chennai Super Kings – 6 times.