From fiery pacers to wily spinners, here's how the Purple Cap has changed hands over the years
T20 cricket is like a fun fair for batters—until a bowler comes in and changes the game! Over the years, we've witnessed some fantastic bowling spells, jaw-dropping yorkers, and crucial wickets in the IPL. The Purple Cap is given to the top bowlers who really make batters work for their runs. As we get ready for another season, let’s take a moment to remember those bowlers who truly made the IPL their playground!
The journey of the Purple Cap began in 2008 when PAK's Sohail Tanvir made history. Playing for the Rajasthan Royals, the left-arm pacer took 22 wickets in just 11 matches, aiding his side in clinching the inaugural title. His unorthodox bowling action and ability to deceive batters made him a nightmare to face.
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The second edition of the IPL in 2009 was held in South Africa, where RP Singh shone for the Deccan Chargers. The left-arm seamer claimed 23 wickets in 16 matches, playing a crucial role in leading his team to their first-ever IPL title. His swing and control with the new ball made him a standout performer.
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While pacers had dominated the early years, Pragyan Ojha became the first spinner to win the Purple Cap in 2010. The crafty left-arm tweaker from Deccan Chargers picked up 21 wickets in 16 matches, proving that spinners could be match-winners in the shortest format.
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If there was ever a bowler ideally suited for T20 cricket, it was Lasith Malinga. In 2011, the Sri Lankan speedster dismantled batting line-ups for the Mumbai Indians, concluding the season with an astonishing 28 wickets in 16 matches. His toe-crushing yorkers rendered him an unstoppable force that year.
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The IPL 2012 season belonged to Morne Morkel, the towering South African fast bowler. Playing for Delhi Daredevils, he utilised his pace and bounce to take 25 wickets in 16 matches, demonstrating that height and accuracy were lethal.
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The West Indies' flamboyant Dwayne Bravo made headlines in 2013 when he shattered records by taking 32 wickets in 18 matches for Chennai Super Kings. His variations, particularly in the death overs, made him a game-changer. He replicated this achievement in 2015, winning the Purple Cap again with 26 wickets, further solidifying his legacy in IPL history.
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In 2014, CSK discovered another bowling hero in Mohit Sharma. His deceptive pace and knack for striking at critical moments enabled him to claim 23 wickets in 16 matches, assisting his team in reaching the final.
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Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the only bowler to win consecutive Purple Caps, was sensational for Sunrisers Hyderabad. He took 23 wickets in 2016, leading his team to their first IPL trophy, and then took 26 wickets in 2017, demonstrating his class with both swing and control.
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Andrew Tye emerged as a revelation in 2018 for Kings XI Punjab. His remarkable variations in the death overs enabled him to finish with 24 wickets from 14 matches, making him the first-ever Punjab player to win the Purple Cap.
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At 40, Imran Tahir demonstrated that age is merely a number. The seasoned South African leg-spinner was a match-winner for Chennai Super Kings, taking 26 wickets in 17 matches to claim the Purple Cap in 2019. His fervent celebrations became a hallmark of that season.
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The 2020 season revolved around Kagiso Rabada's express pace. Leading the Delhi Capitals' attack, the South African speedster took 30 wickets in 17 matches, making him one of just three bowlers to surpass the 30-wicket mark in a single IPL season.
The IPL 2021 belonged to Harshal Patel. Representing the Royal Challengers Bangalore, the right-arm seamer astounded everyone with 32 wickets in just 15 matches, matching Bravo's record for the most wickets in a season. His lethal slower balls and pinpoint accuracy turned him into a nightmare for batters.
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Wrist spinners have always been vital to T20 cricket, and Yuzvendra Chahal showcased his talent in 2022. Representing the Rajasthan Royals, the leggie took 27 wickets in 17 matches, establishing himself as a game-changer with his ability to change the course of a game.
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Mohammed Shami, a master of seam bowling, was the Gujarat Titans' trump card in 2023. He concluded the season with 28 wickets from 17 matches, demonstrating that classic fast bowling still had a place in T20 cricket.
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In 2024, it was once again Harshal Patel's opportunity to shine. This time, representing Punjab Kings, he took 24 wickets in 14 matches, reclaiming the Purple Cap and reaffirming his status as a dependable wicket-taker.
