IPL 15 gets underway on March 26 in Mumbai. Unlike the last two years when the tournament was moved to the UAE due to Covid19, it will be played in India this year. All the matches will be held across stadiums in Mumbai and Pune, while 25% spectators will also be allowed. Ahead of the cash-rich T20 league, let’s roll back years to recall the purple cap winner in each of the 14 completed seasons.
2008 – Sohail Tanvir, Rajasthan Royals
Pakistan’s Sohail Tanvir became the first bowler in the IPL to win the purple cap. The fast bowler picked 22 wickets for the Rajasthan Royals in 2008, which includes the best bowling figure of 6-14. Tanvir’s efforts played a big role in the Royals’ winning the title in the inaugural edition of the tournament.
2009 - RP Singh, Deccan Chargers
Playing for the now-defunct Deccan Chargers, RP Singh grabbed 23 wickets in 16 games at an economy of 6.98 to win the purple cap in 2009. The team went on to win the trophy after defeating Royal Challengers Bangalore in the final.
Pragyan Ojha – 2010, Deccan Chargers
Another player from the Deccan Chargers to win the purple cap is Pragyan Ojha. The left-arm spinner scalped 21 wickets in 16 games at an economy of 7.29 in 2010. Although the Chargers didn’t make it to the final, they finished as the second-best team in the points table.
Lasith Malinga – 2011, Mumbai Indians
One of the finest bowlers to have played the IPL, Lasith Malinga won the purple cap in 2011 after taking 28 wickets in 16 games for Mumbai Indians. The Sri Lankan spin wizard is also the highest wicket-taker in the tournament’s history with 170 dismissals.
Morne Morkel – 2012, Delhi Capitals
South African quick Morne Morkel, who played the IPL from 2009 to 2016, won the purple cap in 2012 after picking up 25 wickets in 16 games for the Delhi Daredevils (now known as Delhi Capitals)
Dwayne Bravo – 2013, Chennai Super Kings
DJ Bravo, who has been a permanent member of the CSK squad since 2011, was the highest wicket-taker in IPL 2013. The all-rounder picked up 32 wickets in 18 games in 2013 to win the purple cap, but his side lost the final to Mumbai Indians.
Mohit Sharma – 2014, Chennai Super Kings
Mohit Sharma picked up 23 wickets in 16 games in 2014 for CSK, but the team failed to make it to the finals. In 86 IPL games, the last of which came in 2020, the medium pacer picked up 92 wickets.
Dwayne Bravo – 2015, Chennai Super Kings
Dwayne Bravo became the first player in IPL to win two purple caps after picking up 26 wickets in 17 games for CSK in 2015. Earlier, he won the purple cap in the 2013 season as well.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 2016 and 2017, Sunrisers Hyderabad
The second player to win two purple caps, and the first to win them in two consecutive seasons is Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The Sunrisers Hyderabad bowler won the purple cap in 2016 and 2017, respectively. The fast bowler picked up 23 wickets in 17 games in 2016 and 26 wickets in 14 games the next season.
Andrew Tye – 2018, Punjab Kings
Playing for Kings XI Punjab, now called Punjab Kings, Andrew Tye picked up 24 wickets in 14 games to win the purple cap in 2018. The pacer became the first Australian bowler to lead the wickets chart in the IPL.
Imran Tahir – 2019, Chennai Super Kings
Although veteran bowler Imran Tahir went unsold at the auction for IPL 15, his contributions to CSK will be fondly remembered. In 2019, Tahir picked up 26 wickets in 17 games for the MS Dhoni-led side.
Kagiso Rabada – 2020, Delhi Capitals
IPL 2020 belonged to South African quick Kagiso Rabada, who bamboozled the best of batters. The pacer won the purple cap after picking 30 wickets in 17 games for the Delhi Capitals.
Harshal Patel – 2021, Royal Challengers Bangalore
Although the medium pacer made his IPL debut way back in 2012, it was not until last year that he stood out. Patel won the purple cap last year after picking 32 wickets in 15 games for RCB, but once again, the perennial underachievers failed to win the title.
