The universal criticism faced by this 'fast-paced' brand of cricket (T20), including IPL, is that the equivalence in this 'bat & ball' game is more tilted towards the bat.
In the IPL, over the years we have witnessed some intensely-fought matches between the bat and ball, where the bowler picking up the highest number of wickets in an edition being awarded with 'Purple Cap'.
Here's a list of all the bowlers from past editions of the IPL who have grabbed the coveted Purple Cap.
The only IPL season that witnessed Pakistani players playing in it, Sohail Tanvir proved to be the most potent weapon in Shane Warne – led Rajasthan Royal's arsenal, who also went on to win the trophy in the inaugural season of IPL. In 2008 he took a total of 22 wickets with a strike rate of 12.09 at a decent economy rate of 6.46. In one of the matches, he ended up with the figures of 6/14 which is the second best-ever bowling figures in IPL history.
In the first match of the 2009 season of IPL, he impressed everyone with the figures of 4/22 against the almighty Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). This almost set the momentum for the Chargers campaign that saw them enter the play-offs. RP Singh bagged a total of 23 wickets in 16 matches with a strike rate of 15.56 & an economy of 6.89. For a resurgent side like Deccan Chargers, RP's knack of taking wickets at the crucial intervals was the biggest contribution for their successful title run.
The DC franchise picked up from where they left in the previous season & finished second on the points table after the league stage. The canny left-arm off-spinner, who enjoyed a successful 18 wicket-run in the 2009 edition, continued his tremendous form in the third season of the IPL as well.
In 2010 Ojha picked up a total 21 wickets from 16 matches at a strike rate of 16.8 and a slightly high economy rate of 7.29
Sri Lankan Fast bowler Lasith Malinga is arguably the most consistent bowler in death overs in IPL history and was the pillar Mumbai Indians squad that won the most trophies in IPL so far. Though he was successful & right on the money from the very first season with Mumbai, it was in 2011 edition when his name was etched in golden letters.
With 28 wickets to his name at a strike rate of 13.39 with a stunning economy of 5.59, it was a no-brainer that Malinga was the most effective & reliable bowler of that season.
Morne Morkel's bowling performance can be best narrated as 'clinical', as he was Daredevil's best bowler for the group stages. In their final league stage match against Kings XI Punjab, he delivered with his best figures of 4/20. Though Morkel's economy for that year was 7.19 which was on an expensive side, these numbers don't do any justice of what impact he had on Daredevil's side.
That year he took 25 wickets in 16 matches at an unflattering strike rate of 15.12 & economy rate of 7.1
That year also became the 3rd successive edition where the team having the purple cap winner didn't emerge as the title-winning side.
Dwayne Bravo became the first-ever bowler to take 30+ wickets in a single edition of IPL (2013). The Caribbean medium-pacer kept raining slower deliveries cleverly mixing them up with the skiddy one's to bag wickets at an amazing strike rate of 11.71 and an economy of 7.95. He took a total of 32 wickets. It was also the first time when we saw both the Orange Cap holder (Michael Hussey) & Purple Cap holder (Dwayne Bravo) are from the same team that year.
In 2015 he became the first player to win the Purple Cap twice where he picked up 26 wickets in the eighth season of IPL with a strike rate of 12.07 & economy of 8.14.
Chennai Super Kings always have had one standout performer for every season. In 2014 Mohit Sharma proved to be one to bask in the limelight of the tournament, where he took 23 wickets from 16 matches at a strike rate of 14.04 and an economy of 8.39 which is the highest for any Purple Cap winner.
It was this year when SRH lifted their first-ever IPL trophy, thanks to the expertise of the Purple Cap winner 'Bhuvi', who finally broke the curse. That year he took 23 wickets at an economy of 7.42 & a strike rate of 17.42.
In 2017, when he bagged the Purple Cap again, he became the only player to retain that coveted award, taking 26 wickets at an economy of 7.09 and a strike rate of 12.07. In 2017 it was only the second time where both the Orange Cap (David Warner) & the Purple Cap went to the same team.
In 2018 Andrew his season as the Purple Cap winner as he went on to collect 24 wickets in just 14 matches at an economy of 8.00 and a strike rate of 14.00. Tye took 3 four-fers to his credit that season.
KXIP finished the 2018 season at a disappointing 7th position.
With 26 wickets to his name from 17 appearances, South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir became the oldest player to win the Purple Cap at the age of 40. He took those wickets at an economy of 6.69. Tahir played a key role in helping CSK enter another IPL Final.
A year of challenges that 2020 was, IPL had its highs and lows. The players still fought till the end with gripping performances that IPL is well known for. A competition of great bowling talents fought for their way to the top of the leader board & Kagiso Rabada emerged victorious from the lot. The South African, Right Arm Fast Bowler played 17 matched, bowled 56.2 over and has recorded a total of 30 wickets in her name for the season, with an economy rate of 8.34.
After a nail biting season of cricket, we witnessed performances that left us watching from the edges of our seats. One such performance was Harshal Patel’s, who proudly wore the purple cap over his head. With an economy of 8.14, the Right arm medium fast bowler took 32 wickets in 15 matches.
Tata IPL 2022 is right around the corner, any predictions as to who will win the purple cap this season?
Health and Fitness
Roshan is an avid fitness enthusiast. He loves to workout. He has extensive knowledge about muscle building and cardio. His knowledge is clearly visible in his fitness blogs. Roshan has a knack for... Read More
