IPL Purple Cap Winners List: From 2008 to 2023

In the 16 year history of the IPL, it has majorly been dominated by the batsmen and they are always highly rated even by the fans. Usually, the contributions of the bowlers have been underrated, but that’s the nature of the T20 cricket format. History is a testament that across all seasons of the league, a strong bowling lineup has always played a huge role in a title winning team. Be it bowlers like Umesh Yadav, Mohammad Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Trent Boult dismantling the top order of a batting lineup, or spinners like Rashid Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal, Amit Mishra, Ravi Ashwin, and Imran Tahir reducing the scoring rate in the middle overs or Jasprit Bumrah, Lasith Malinga and Dwayne Bravo bowling a clinical death over spell. 

The IPL Orange and Purple Cap Award

 

And to honour the best bowlers, the IPL Purple Cap Award is given to the bowler with the most wickets in the IPL season after the finals, similar to the Orange Cap for the batsman with the most runs

So in this article, let’s celebrate the best bowlers in the league and look at the list of IPL Purple cap winners from 2008 to 2023. 

IPL Purple Cap Winners List: From 2008 to 2023

Year

Player

Team

Matches

Wickets

Economy Rate

Average

Best Bowling

2008

Sohail Tanvir

Rajasthan Royals (RR)

11

22

6.46

12.09

6/14

2009

RP Singh

Deccan Chargers

16

23

6.98

18.13

4/22

2010

Pragyan Ojha

Deccan Chargers

16

21

7.29

20.42

3/26

2011

Lasith Malinga

Mumbai Indians (MI)

16

28

5.95

13.39

5/13

2012

Morne Morkel

Delhi Capitals

16

25

7.19

18.12

4/20

2013

Dwayne Bravo

Chennai Super Kings

18

32

7.95

15.53

4/42

2014

Mohit Sharma

Chennai

16

23

8.39

19.65

4/14

2015

Dwayne Bravo

Chennai

17

26

8.14

16.38

3/22

2016

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Sun Risers Hyderabad

17

23

7.42

21.30

4/29

2017

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Hyderabad

14

26

7.05

14.19

5/19

2018

Andrew Tye

Punjab Kings

14

24

8.00

18.66

5/17

2019

Imran Tahir

Chennai

17

26

6.69

16.57

4/12

2020

Kagiso Rabada

Delhi

17

30

8.34

18.26

4/24

2021

Harshal Patel

Royal Challengers Bangalore

15

32

8.14

14.34

5/27

2022

Yuzvendra Chahal

Rajasthan

17

27

7.75

19.71

5/40

2023

Mohammed Shami

Gujarat Titans

17

28

8.03

18.64

4/11

 

IPL Purple Cap Winner 2008 - Sohail Tanvir: 

2008, the inaugural season of the IPL was a season of the underdogs. Rajasthan Royals, led by the legendary Shane Warne, were a team full of youngsters and nobody thought they would go onto win the tournament by defeating MS Dhoni’s CSK, which was considered the best team in the tournament. Interestingly, 2008 was also the only year when Pakistan Team players were allowed to play in the Indian Premier League. In this underdog team was Sohail Tanvir, the left-arm spearhead who led the bowling attack of the Rajasthan Royals team

2008 IPL Purple Cap winner Sohail Tanvir and his team maters celebrate hi Award

Credit: Sportskeeda

Sohail Tanvir was the highest wicket taker in IPL 2008 and made history in 2008 by clinching the Purple Cap in IPL inaugural season. He scalped 22 wickets in 11 matches with an impressive economy rate of 6.46. His best bowling performance came against the Chennai Super Kings, where he picked 6 wickets for just 14 runs in four overs.

Wickets: 22
Matches: 11
Economy Rate: 6.46
Best Bowling: 6/14

IPL Purple Cap Winner 2009 - RP Singh:

2009 IPL Purple Cap winner RP Singh celebrates a wicket

Credit: ESPN Cricinfo

2009 was the season of the Deccan Chargers, where they beat the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the final to win the 2009 IPL Trophy. Indian fast bowler RP Singh won the Purple Cap in the 2009 IPL season while playing for the Deccan Chargers. He took the most wickets in IPL 2009 with 23 wickets in 16 matches and played a crucial role in his team's journey to victory in the tournament. RP Singh was a brilliant left arm bowler known for his lethal swinging deliveries with the new leather ball in the powerplay overs. His best bowling performance was his impressive 4-wicket haul in the final match against the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Wickets: 23
Matches: 16
Economy Rate: 6.98
Best Bowling: 4/22

IPL Purple Cap holder 2010 - Pragyan Ojha:

2010 IPL Purple Cap winner Pragyan Ojha with his award

Credit: Times Now

Deccan Chargers continued to be one of the best teams in the league and their backbone this time was the left arm off spinner, Pragyan Ojha. Pragyan won the IPL Purple Cap by taking the most wickets in IPL 2010 scalping 21 wickets in 16 matches at an economy rate of 7.29. His best bowling figures were 3/26 against Mumbai Indians. 

Wickets: 21
Matches: 16
Economy Rate: 7.29
Best Bowling: 3/26

IPL Purple Cap Winner in 2011 - Lasith Malinga:

2011 IPL Purple Cap winner Lasith Malinga wearing his purple hat
Credit: Cricreads

Lasith Malinga from Mumbai Indians won the 2011 IPL Purple Cap and earned the title of the "Yorker King" for his mastery of deadly yorkers. He picked up the most wickets in IPL 2011 by taking 28 wickets in 16 matches at an unbelievable bowling economy of 5.95 which even included a 5-wicket haul. 

Wickets: 28
Matches: 16
Economy Rate: 5.95
Best Bowling: 5/13

IPL Purple Cap winner in 2012 - Morne Morkel:

2012 IPL Purple Cap winner Morne Morkel Celebrating a wicket

Credit: The Times of India

During the 2012 season, Morne Morkel, from the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), showed quality express fast bowling and won the 2012 IPL Purple Cap. Morkel picked up 25 wickets in 16 matches, the most wickets in IPL 2012, at an average of 18.12 and an economy rate of 7.19 thanks to his quick pace and ability to extract bounce from the cricket pitch. He was an important member of the DD team because of his ability to provide crucial breakthroughs in powerplays and in the death overs.

Wickets: 25
Matches: 16
Economy Rate: 7.19
Best Bowling: 4/20

IPL Purple Cap winner in 2013 - Dwayne Bravo:

Dwayne Bravo with his 2013 IPL Purple Cap Award

Credit: Times Content

Dwayne Bravo was one of the best all rounders to play in the IPL. He was great every time he batted, but it was his bowling that brought him and the Chennai Super Kings the most success. Dwayne Bravo's deceptive bowling and fast bowling variations helped him win the 2013 IPL Purple Cap. Bravo picked up 32 wickets in 18 matches, the most wickets in IPL 2013 and became the first bowler to scalp 30 wickets in a single season. With an average of 15.53 and an economy rate of 7.95, Bravo played a pivotal role in CSK's run to the final, which they eventually lost to Mumbai Indians.

Wickets: 32
Matches: 18
Economy Rate: 7.95
Best Bowling: 4/42

IPL Purple Cap winner in 2014 - Mohit Sharma:

Mohit Sharma wearing his 2014 IPL Purple Cap

Credit: Sambad English

Mohit Sharma from Chennai Super Kings won the IPL Purple Cap in 2014. Mohit Sharma had an uncanny ability to bowl tight lines and generate movement off the pitch, which helped him claim 23 wickets in 16 matches, the most wickets in IPL 2014. Despite a slightly higher economy rate of 8.39, Sharma's knack for picking up wickets at crucial junctures proved instrumental for CSK. 

Wickets: 23
Matches: 16
Economy Rate: 8.39
Best Bowling: 4/14

2015 IPL Purple Cap Holder - Dwayne Bravo:

Dwayne Bravo once again showcased his bowling ability in the 2015 season, playing for Chennai Super Kings and winning the IPL Purple Cap in 2015. Bravo's mix of slower balls and yorkers bamboozled batsmen and was once again the highest wicket taker in IPL 2015 picking up 26 wickets in 17 matches

Wickets: 26
Matches: 17
Economy Rate: 8.14
Best Bowling: 3/22

2016 IPL Purple Cap Winner - Bhuvneshwar Kumar:

Bhuvneshwar Kumar with his 2016 IPL Purple Cap Award

Credit: Quora

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the Purple Cap winner in the 2016 IPL season while representing Sunrisers Hyderabad. Kumar's swing bowling ability and the skill to bowl effective yorkers in the death fetched him 23 wickets in 17 matches, the most wickets in IPL 2016. With an average of 21.30 and an economy rate of 7.42, Kumar played a crucial role in SRH's journey to the title.

Wickets: 23
Matches: 17
Economy Rate: 7.42
Best Bowling: 4/29

IPL Purple Cap winner 2017 - Bhuvneshwar Kumar:

Bhuvneshwar Kumar continued his Purple Cap streak in the 2017 IPL season. Kumar's consistency with the new ball and in the death was on display as he claimed 26 wickets in just 14 matches. With an impressive average of 14.19 and an economy rate of 7.05, Kumar established himself as one of the best fast bowlers in the Indian Premier League.

Wickets: 26
Matches: 14
Economy Rate: 7.05
Best Bowling: 5/19

IPL 2018 Purple Cap Winner - Andrew Tye:

2018 IPL Purple Cap winner Andrew Tye wearing the purple cap

Credit: ESPN Cricinfo

Punjab King’s Andrew Tye won the IPL Purple Cap in the 2018 season. Andrew was a brilliant bowler and his bowling variations and death bowling helped him pick up the most wickets in IPL 2018 clinching 24 wickets in 14 league matches.

Wickets: 24
Matches: 14
Economy Rate: 8.00
Best Bowling: 5/17

Read More: Spin Bowling Tips and Techniques | How to bowl a googly

IPL 2019 Purple Cap Winner - Imran Tahir:

Imran Tahir, the 2019 IPL Purple Cap winner with his award

Credit: Crictracker

Imran Tahir, representing Chennai Super Kings, was the standout performer with the ball winning the Purple Cap in the 2019 IPL season. In 17 games, the seasoned South African leg-spinner claimed 26 wickets at an economy rate of 6.69 and an average of 16.57. He was the highest wicket taker in the IPL in 2019 and played an important role in CSK reaching the final. 

Wickets: 26
Matches: 17
Economy Rate: 6.69
Best Bowling: 4/12

2020 IPL Purple Cap Winner - Kagiso Rabada:

2020 IPL Purple Cap winner Kagiso Rabada recieving his award

Credit: The Quint

Kagiso Rabada, playing for Delhi Capitals, was the highest wicket-taker in the 2020 IPL season. Rabada's raw pace and ability to bowl lethal yorkers fetched him 30 wickets in 17 matches winning the IPL Purple Cap in 2020. He became the second bowler after Dwayne Bravo in 2013 to pick 30 wickets in a single IPL season. 

Wickets: 30
Matches: 17
Economy Rate: 8.34
Best Bowling: 4/24

Read more: Fastest Bowlers in the World

IPL Purple Cap 2021 Winner - Harshal Patel:

2021 IPL Purple Cap winner Harshal Patel celebrating a wicket

Credit: NDTV Sports

Harshal Patel made history as the first bowler from Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise to clinch the Purple Cap in the 2021 IPL season. He picked up 32 wickets in just 15 matches and levelled himself with Dwayne Bravo for the highest wicket taker in a single season of the IPL. His slower balls and death over bowling proved to be massive for RCB in the league stage and helped them finish 4th in the points table. His standout performance included his best figures of 5 for 27, achieved in a match against Mumbai.

Wickets: 32
Matches: 15
Economy Rate: 8.14
Best Bowling: 5/27

IPL Purple Cap 2022 Winner - Yuzvendra Chahal:

Yuzvendra Chahal Recieveing his 2022 IPL Purple Cap award

Credit: IPL

Yuzvendra Chahal became the second player from Rajasthan Royals to become the Purple Cap holder in IPL 2022. He is also the highest wicket taker ever in the IPL, but his best came in 2022 when he took 27 wickets in 17 matches. With an average of 19.51 and an economy rate of 7.75. Chahal was the main man in RR’s bowling attack and was significant in Rajasthan's journey to the final. 

Wickets: 27
Matches: 17
Economy Rate: 7.75
Best Bowling: 5/40

Purple Cap Winner in IPL 2023 - Mohammad Shami:

Mohammad Shami recieves his 2023 IPL Purple Cap award

Credit: News18

Indian Cricket Team’s premier fast bowler, Mohammad Shami won the IPL 2023 purple cap while playing for the Gujarat Titans IPL Team. He was the highest wicket taker in IPL 2023 picking up 28 wickets at an average of 18.64, playing a major part in Gujarat Titans reaching the finals that season. He also shattered the record for the most wickets in the powerplay by picking up 17 wickets.

Wickets: 28
Matches: 17
Economy Rate: 8.03
Best Bowling: 4/11

Women’s Premier League Purple Cap Winner:

The 2023 WPL season was a huge success and greatly contributing to the development of the women's T20 franchise and women's cricket. The BCCI's creation, the WPL, attracted a sizable fan base, with several venues being fully booked. The Delhi Capitals Women's Team and the Mumbai Indians Women's Team faced off in the tournament's finals, which featured five teams. The Mumbai Indians Women's Team emerged as the inaugural winners.

WPL Highest Wicket Takers 2023:

Player

Team

Matches

Wickets

Economy Rate

Best Bowling

Hayley Matthews

Mumbai Indians W

10

16

5.94

3/5

Sophie Ecclestone

UP Warriorz

9

16

6.61

4/13

Amelia Kerr

Mumbai Indians W

10

15

6.45

3/22

Issy Wong

Mumbai Indians W

10

15

6.46

4/15

Saiqa Ishaque

Mumbai Indians W

10

15

7.00

4/11


WPL 2023 Purple Cap Winner Hayley Matthews poses with her award

Credit: NDTV Profit

Mumbai Indians all rounder Hayley Matthews won the WPL 2023 Purple Cap by picking up 16 wickets in 10 games. She was tied with Sofie Ecclestone from UP Warriorz at 16 wickets but had a better economy rate at 5.94 vs 6.61 and hence was given the award. 

FAQ:

What is the IPL Purple Cap winner prize money?

The IPL Purple Cap winner receives prize money of Rs. 15 Lakh along with the award at the presentation ceremony after the tournament final.

Who has won the most Purple Caps in history?

Dwayne Bravo and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have both won the Purple Cap twice, the most by any bowler.

Who is the highest wicket taker in the history of the IPL?

Yuzvendra Chahal is the highest wicket taker in IPL history picking up 187 in 145 career matches.


Leave a comment