Purple Cap Winners in IPL: Top Bowlers Who Dominated the Tournament
In the fast-paced world of IPL, it’s not just the batsmen who steal the spotlight; the bowlers play a crucial role in shaping the outcome of matches. One of the most prestigious individual awards in the IPL is the Purple Cap, which is awarded to the bowler who takes the most wickets during the season.
In this article, we will walk you through the List of Purple Cap winners in IPL history, showcasing the best bowlers who have dominated the league’s bowling charts season after season.
What is the Purple Cap in IPL?
The Purple Cap is awarded to the highest wicket-taker in each season of the IPL. The bowler who holds the Purple Cap at the end of the season is recognized for their ability to take crucial wickets and lead their team’s bowling attack. This title is a symbol of the bowler’s consistency, skill, and impact on the game.
Complete List of Purple Cap Winners in IPL (2008-2025)
Here’s a look at the Purple Cap winners in IPL history, recognizing the best bowlers who have made a mark with their wicket-taking abilities:
1. 2008 – Sohail Tanvir (Rajasthan Royals)
- Wickets Taken: 22
- Matches Played: 11
- Best Bowling: 6/14
- In the inaugural season of the IPL, Sohail Tanvir of Rajasthan Royals took the most wickets and claimed the Purple Cap, guiding his team to an IPL title.
2. 2009 – RP Singh (Deccan Chargers)
- Wickets Taken: 23
- Matches Played: 16
- Best Bowling: 4/22
- RP Singh’s performances with the ball were instrumental in Deccan Chargers winning the 2009 IPL title.
3. 2010 – Pragyan Ojha (Deccan Chargers)
- Wickets Taken: 21
- Matches Played: 16
- Best Bowling: 3/11
- Pragyan Ojha had a fantastic season in 2010, becoming the highest wicket-taker and leading Deccan Chargers with his brilliant spin bowling.
4. 2011 – Lasith Malinga (Mumbai Indians)
- Wickets Taken: 28
- Matches Played: 16
- Best Bowling: 5/13
- Lasith Malinga showed his dominance in IPL, claiming the Purple Cap in year 2011 with his accurate pace bowling and toe crushing Yorkers.
5. 2012 – Morne Morkel (Delhi Daredevils)
- Wickets Taken: 25
- Matches Played: 16
- Best Bowling: 4/20
- South African bowler Morne Morkel had a stellar 2012 season, taking the most wickets and helping Delhi Daredevils finish on table top and give strong fight for title.
6. 2013 – Dwayne Bravo (Chennai Super Kings)
- Wickets Taken: 32
- Matches Played: 18
- Best Bowling: 4/22
- West Indies All-rounder Dwayne Bravo won the Purple Cap in 2013, showcasing his exceptional death bowling skills.
7. 2014 – Mohit Sharma (Chennai Super Kings)
- Wickets Taken: 23
- Matches Played: 16
- Best Bowling: 4/14
- Mohit Sharma’s consistent performance with the ball helped him secure the Purple Cap in the 2014 IPL season, marking his breakthrough year in the league.
8. 2015 – Dwayne Bravo (Chennai Super Kings)
- Wickets Taken: 26
- Matches Played: 17
- Best Bowling: 4/22
- Bravo continued his dominance in the IPL, becoming the highest wicket-taker of the 2015 season and securing his second Purple Cap.
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9. 2016 – Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
- Wickets Taken: 26
- Matches Played: 16
- Best Bowling: 6/14
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s contribution with the ball played a crucial role in the success of his team during the 2016 IPL season.
10. 2017 – Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
- Wickets Taken: 26
- Matches Played: 14
- Best Bowling: 5/19
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar led the Sunrisers Hyderabad bowling attack in 2017, finishing as the top wicket-taker and playing a vital role in taking the team to qualifiers.
11. 2018 – Andrew Tye (Rajasthan Royals)
- Wickets Taken: 24
- Matches Played: 14
- Best Bowling: 5/17
- Australian pacer Andrew Tye claimed the Purple Cap in 2018 with his superb death bowling and variety, making an immediate impact for Rajasthan Royals.
12. 2019 – Imran Tahir (Chennai Super Kings)
- Wickets Taken: 26
- Matches Played: 17
- Best Bowling: 4/12
- South African spinner Imran Tahir had an outstanding season in 2019, taking 26 wickets and leading Chennai Super Kings bowling attack to the top.
13. 2020 – Kagiso Rabada (Delhi Capitals)
- Wickets Taken: 30
- Matches Played: 17
- Best Bowling: 4/21
- Rabada’s brilliant bowling in the 2020 season helped him win the Purple Cap once again, with 30 wickets, which remains a remarkable achievement in IPL history.
14. 2021 – Harshal Patel (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
- Wickets Taken: 32
- Matches Played: 15
- Best Bowling: 5/27
- Harshal Patel became the highest wicket-taker in the 2021 IPL season with 32 wickets, showcasing his skills in the death overs and as a key player for RCB.
15. 2022 – Yuzvendra Chahal (Rajasthan Royals)
- Wickets Taken: 27
- Matches Played: 17
- Best Bowling: 6/14
- Chahal’s impressive bowling, including some match-winning performances, earned him the Purple Cap in 2022, marking his continued excellence in the IPL.
16. 2023 – Mohammed Shami (Gujarat Titans)
- Wickets Taken: 28
- Matches Played: 17
- Best Bowling: 4/11
- Mohammed Shami’s outstanding bowling in the 2023 season, including his ability to take early wickets and keep the pressure on, earned him the Purple Cap.
17. 2024 – Harshal Patel (Punjab Kings)
- Wickets Taken: 24
- Matches Played: 14
- Best Bowling: 3/15
- Harshal Patel delivered an outstanding performance and played a crucial role for his team which earned him the Purple Cap in IPL 2024.
18. 2025 – ?
- Wickets Taken: 0
- Matches Played: 0
- Best Bowling: 0/0
- Let find out who will be in the list of purple cap winners in IPL 2025.
Why is the Purple Cap Important in IPL?
The Purple Cap serves as recognition of a bowler’s ability to consistently pick wickets and create breakthroughs for their team. In a high-pressure T20 league like the IPL, where batting often dominates, bowlers who can deliver crucial wickets are highly valued. Winning the Purple Cap is a testament to a bowler’s skill, strategy, and ability to perform in the most intense situations.
Conclusion: The Masters of Wickets in IPL
From Lasith Malinga’s yorkers to Yuzvendra Chahal’s variations and Dwayne Bravo’s death overs mastery, the Purple Cap has been worn by some of the best bowlers in world cricket. These bowlers not only made a significant impact with their wicket-taking abilities but also helped shape the history of the IPL. Reference for Purple cap winners in IPL is taken from official IPL website.
As the IPL continues to evolve, it’s exciting to see who will be the next bowler to claim the coveted Purple Cap and leave their mark on IPL history.
Stay tuned for more updates on IPL’s top bowlers, and let us know who you think will be the next Purple Cap winner in the comments!