List of Purple Cap winners in each IPL season from 2008 to 2019

It is not every day we see bowlers shine in the shortest format of the game but when they do, they turn the game upside down. Small boundaries, flat pitches and unfavourable rules, it is almost like the format is designed for the bowlers to be slaughtered. But it is not the case in the Indian Premier League, the most competitive cricket league in the World. Here the story is different. In a league a where every ball matters bowlers shine more often than not.

And to recognise their efforts despite all the odds, IPL introduced the Purple Cap. The cap is donned by the bowler with most wickets in the league and over the years may greats of the game have had the honour to don it. So let’s take a look at the maestros who thrived despite all the odds and earned the prestigious Purple Cap over the years.

2019 – Imran Tahir (CSK), 26 wickets

The charismatic legspinner Imran Tahir became the second South African to don the Purple Cap. Tahir led the Chennai Super Kings bowling attack as the franchise featured in their 8th final in 10 seasons last season. The veteran Protea leggie bamboozled batsmen with his pace and variations as he bagged 26 wickets in 17 games in the season at an economy of 6.69. His ecstatic celebrations became the highlight of the season as he overcame his countryman Kagiso Rabada in the final of IPL 2019 to finish at the top of the wicket-takers list.

2018 – Andrew Tye (KXIP), 24 wickets

Australia quick Andrew Tye reigned in IPL 2018 with his bag of variations. Tye was phenomenal in mixing up his deliveries and picked 24 wickets in his 14 games. Even Tye’s exploits with the bat were not able to propel Kings XI Punjab into the playoffs as the star-studded side failed to perform as a unit. But ever since the eleventh edition of the league, Tye has failed to replicate his brilliance with the ball. The lanky pacer has only 4 wickets in 7 games since IPL 2018.

2017 – Bhuvneshwar Kumar (SRH), 26 wickets

Indian swing sensation Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been the mainstay of Sunrisers Hyderabad since his inclusion in the side back in 2014. Kumar played an integral part in SRH’s title win in 2016 and picked up where he left next season. Kumar scalped 26 wickets in 2017 at an economy of 7.05 to become the only bowler to retain the Purple Cap. Although his wicket-taking form dropped a bit after two great seasons he continues to deliver impactful performances for the side.

2016 – Bhuvneshwar Kumar (SRH), 23 wickets

Indian quick Bhuvneshwar Kumar started his journey as Sunrisers Hyderabad‘s pace spearhead in style with the franchise’s maiden IPL title. The swing bowler bagged 23 wickets in 17 games as SRH bowled their way through to the finals. Kumar came into the season with a new skill, death bowling, in his bag and executed it spot on on the big stage. On the big day, Kumar stepped up to tame the Royal Challengers Bangalore‘s ferocious batting line up helping his side to their maiden title.

2015 – Dwayne Bravo (CSK), 26 wickets

In IPL 2015, a Chennai Super Kings player bagged the Purple Cap for the third time in a row as West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo topped the list and donned his second Purple Cap in three years. Bravo, with his slower balls and vicious bouncers, was unplayable that season but failed to see his side to the title as they fell short in the final. Bravo scalped 26 wickets in 17 games while contributing 195 runs with the bat to prove his all-round abilities. Bravo is the only overseas player till now to have donned the prestigious cap twice.

2014 – Mohit Sharma (CSK), 23 wickets

IPL 2014 saw the emergence of Mohit Sharma as a white-ball bowler, who then went on to break into the national side following the fabulous season in IPL. Hailing from Punjab, Mohit excelled in back of the hand slower balls. He mastered the skill of disguising it with other deliveries and that is what helped him succeed in the seventh season of the cash-rich league. Mohit scalped 23 wickets in 16 games at an economy of 8.39 in that season.

2013 – Dwayne Bravo (CSK), 32 wickets

Chennai Super Kings is renowned for their consistency in the IPL and Dwayne Bravo has been one of their pillars since his inclusion in 2011. Bravo was at his prime in IPL 2013 as he took a whopping 32 wickets, highest a bowler has bagged in a season. With this feat, he became the West Indian to don the Purple Cap and till date is the only Windies player to feature in this list. Although CSK couldn’t clinch the title in that season, it still remains one to remind for them for Bravo’s unthinkable feat.

2012 – Morne Morkel (DD), 25 wickets

Although Delhi Daredevils, now known as Delhi Capitals, have never been able to lay their hands on the silverware, they have always managed to have some great players in their camp. And one such instance is Morne Morkel who shined in IPL 2012. The lanky South African powered his side into the playoffs on the back of his 25 wickets in the season. Morne rained fire on the batters throughout the season and propelled his side to the playoffs almost single-handedly.

2011 – Lasith Malinga (MI), 28 wickets

One of the greatest bowlers to have ever graced white-ball cricket, Lasith Malinga has been Mumbai Indians pace spearhead and have played a crucial role all the four titles the franchise has lifted. But 2011 remains Malinga’s best year where he scalped 28 wickets in 16 games at a staggering economy of only 5.9. The Sri Lankan’s efforts propelled them the closest to their maiden IPL title back then. Malinga’s 28 wickets remained a bowler’s best season after Bravo’s 32 wickets until this season. Kagiso Rabada surpassed him this season (IPL 2020) as he sits on 29 wickets with a game to go.

2010 – Pragyan Ojha (DC), 21 wickets

India’s domestic sensation Pragyan Ojha finally delivered his personal best in 2010 after a couple of great seasons. In Deccan Chargers‘ title-winning run in 2009, Ojha showed glimpses of his potential as he picked up 18 wickets in the season to finish as the franchise’s second-highest wicket-taker. The next season the left-arm spinner amped up his antae and scalped 21 wickets in 16 games to bag the Purple Cap. His fabulous bowling helped the defending champions to the semi-finals of the league.

2009 – RP Singh (DC), 23 wickets

One of India’s finest left-arm quicks RP Singh helped Deccan Chargers to their maiden IPL trophy with his excellent swing bowling. Singh scalped 23 wickets in 16 games, including a four-wicket haul, in what was his best season in the IPL. The left-arm quick conceded runs at an economy of just 5.9 to top off his fabulous season. Singh’s highlight of the season was his scintillating spell in the final against Royal Challengers Bangalore where he conceded only 16 runs in four overs while bagging the crucial wicket of Jacques Kallis.

2008 – Sohail Tanvir (RR), 22 wickets

Pakistan quick Sohail Tanvir with his unusual action and great slower delivery was an indispensable asset for the Rajasthan Royals in the inaugural season of the IPL. Tanvir’s was a unique player and RR captain Shane Warne used with him craftily to lift the title in the inaugural season. Tanvir scalped 22 wickets in 11 games as he played an integral role in RR’s title run in 2008. But he was not seen in the league after that season as Pakistan players were excluded from the league. None the less, that one glorious season in the cash-rich league will be etched in his heart forever.

Also read : IPL 2020: “Today was just my day,” says DC speedster Kagiso Rabada after getting back the Purple Cap

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