The Indian Premier League (IPL) is known for its high scoring clashes and big knocks by the players throughout the years. In the modern era of T20 cricket, we have witnessed many great batters who have made their mark in the IPL since its inauguration in 2008. However, there are also some bowlers who have dominated the batters with their performance in the IPL and have established themselves among the best bowlers in the history of the cash-rich league.
In every IPL season, there are some bowlers who take the season on fire with their memorable performance with the ball in that edition. However, only one player ends up being the highest wicket taker of the season and wins the purple cap in that edition. In the following listicle, we will have a look at IPL purple cap winners in every season.
IPL Purple Cap Winners
1. Sohail Tanvir: IPL 2008
In the inaugural season of the IPL in 2008, Rajasthan Royals fast bowler Sohail Tanvir finished as the leading wicket taker and went on to win the first-ever purple cap in the IPL. He played a crucial role in RR’s title winning campaign that year taking 22 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 12.09 and an economy rate of 6.46.
2. RP Singh: IPL 2009
Playing for Deccan Chargers, RP Singh ended up winning the purple cap for taking most wickets in the second edition of the IPL in 2009. RP Singh played a crucial part in Chargers’ winning campaign that year taking 23 wickets from 16 matches at an average of 18.13 and an economy rate of 6.98.
3.Pragyan Ojha: IPL 2010
Spin bowler Pragyan Ojha finished the leading wicket taker while playing for Deccan Chargers in IPL 2010. This was also the first time that any spinner ended up winning the purple cap in the IPL. Ojha scalped 21 wickets in 16 matches in IPL 2010 at an average of 20.42 and an economy rate of 7.29.
4. Lasith Malinga: IPL 2011
Sri Lankan great Lasith Malinga had his best season of IPL with the ball as he finished as the leading wicket taker while playing for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2011. The right-arm fast bowler ended up taking 28 wickets in 16 matches in that season at an average of 13.39 and an economy rate of 5.95.
5. Morne Morkel: IPL 2012
Delhi Capitals fast bowler Morne Morkel was the best bowler in the fifth edition of the IPL in 2012 and ended up winning the purple cap for being the highest wicket taker that year. The Proteas pacer scalped 25 wickets from 12 matches in IPL 2012 with an average of 18.12 and an economy rate of 7.19.
6. Dwayne Bravo: IPL 2013
Star Chennai Super Kings registered the best performance in an IPL season by a bowler in 2013. The right-arm fast bowler ended up taking a record 32 wickets from 18 matches in IPL 2013 and helped CSK to reach the finals that year. Bravo bowled with an average of 15.53 and an economy rate of 7.95 in IPL 2013.
7. Mohit Sharma: IPL 2014
Fast bowler Mohit Sharma was best bowler of IPL 2014 and ended up winning the purple cap for being the highest wicket taker that year. Playing for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Mohit Sharma ended up taking 23 wickets from 16 matches in IPL 2014 at an average of 19.65 and an economy rate of 8.39.
8. Dwayne Bravo: IPL 2015
Dwayne Bravo became the first player in IPL history to win two purple caps as he ended up being the highest wicket taker while playing for CSK in IPL 2015. Bravo clinched 26 wickets from 17 matches in IPL 2015 as CSK ended as runner-up that year.
9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar: IPL 2016
Star Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar is among the best fast bowlers in the IPL history and ended up winning his first purple cap while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2016. The right-arm pacer took 23 wickets from 17 matches in IPL 2016 and played a crucial part in SRH’s maiden title win. Bhuvneshwar bowled with an average of 21.30 and an economy rate of 7.42 in that season.
10. Bhuvneshwar Kumar: IPL 2017
Bhuvneshwar Kumar became the second player to win two purple caps and the first-ever bowler to win the award in the second consecutive season. Playing Sunrisers Hyderabad, Bhuvneshwar took 26 scalps from 14 matches in IPL 2017 bowling at an average of 14.19 and an economy rate of 7.05.
11. Andrew Tye: IPL 2018
Andrew Tye is the first and currently the only player from Australia to win a purple cap in an IPL season. Playing for Kings XI Punjab (now known as Punjab Kings), Tye ended up taking 24 wickets from 14 matches in the IPL 2018 at an average of 18.66 and an economy rate of 8 runs per overs.
12. Imran Tahir: IPL 2019
Great South Africa spinner Imran Tahir finished as the leading wicket taker in the 11th edition of the IPL in 2019. Playing for Chennai Super Kings, Tahir clinched 26 wickets from 17 matches in IPL 2019 bowling at an average of 16.57 and an economy rate of 6.69.
13. Kagiso Rabada: IPL 2020
Playing for Delhi Capitals, fast bowler Kagiso Rabada registered the second-best performance by a bowler in an IPL season in the year 2020. The Proteas pacer clinched 30 wickets from 17 matches that season as DC reached the IPL final for the first time. Rabada bowled with an average of 18.26 and an economy rate of 8.34.
14. Harshal Patel: IPL 2021
Harshal Patel registered his performance while playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2021 and equalled Dwayne Bravo to take most wickets in a single IPL edition. Harshal scalped 32 wickets from 15 matches in IPL at an average of 14.34 and an economy rate of 8.14.
15. Yuzvendra Chahal: IPL 2022
All-time leading wicket taker of IPL, Yuzvendra Chahal finally got a purple cap on his head by becoming the leading wicket taker in a season while playing for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2022. The leg spinner scalped 27 wickets from 17 matches in IPL 2022 and played a crucial part for RR to reach the final after 14 years. Chahal bowled with an average of 19.51 and an economy rate of 7.75 in that season.
16. Mohammed Shami: IPL 2023
Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami registered his best performance in the IPL while playing for Gujarat Titans in 2023. The right-arm won the purple cap that year for taking 28 wickets from 17 matches, averaging at 18.64 at an economy rate of 8.03. Shami played a crucial role for GT to reach their second consecutive IPL final.
17. Harshal Patel: IPL 2024
Harshal Patel finished as a leading wicket taker in an IPL season for the second time while playing for Punjab Kings (PBKS) in IPL 2024. The right-arm fast bowler clinched 24 wickets from 14 matches in IPL 2024 bowling at an average of 19.87 and an economy rate of 9.73.
