The Indian Premier League has completed its 18 editions, and it was meant to be a batter-friendly format, but bowlers have also made a strong impact. Bowlers have helped their teams win matches and even titles with match-winning spells. Some of the most outstanding performers are listed below. Sohail Tanvir was the first bowler to win the Purple Cap, with 22 wickets in IPL 2008.
Dwayne Bravo and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have won the award twice. Bravo and Harshal Patel also share the record for the most wickets in a single IPL season with 32. Many of these performances shaped their team’s success. Explore the full list below to see the top Purple Cap winners in IPL history.
List of Purple Cap Winners Year-wise
Here is the list of the purple cap winners in the IPL from 2008 to 2026.
| Player Name | Team | Year | Wickets | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sohail Tanvir | Rajasthan Royals | 2008 | 22 | 11 |
| RP Singh | Deccan Chargers | 2009 | 23 | 16 |
| Pragyan Ojha | Deccan Chargers | 2010 | 21 | 16 |
| Lasith Malinga | Mumbai Indians | 2011 | 28 | 16 |
| Morne Morkel | Delhi Daredevils | 2012 | 25 | 16 |
| Dwayne Bravo | Chennai Super Kings | 2013 | 32 | 18 |
| Mohit Sharma | Chennai Super Kings | 2014 | 23 | 16 |
| Dwayne Bravo | Chennai Super Kings | 2015 | 26 | 16 |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 2016 | 23 | 17 |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 2017 | 26 | 14 |
| Andrew Tye | Kings XI Punjab | 2018 | 24 | 14 |
| Imran Tahir | Chennai Super Kings | 2019 | 26 | 17 |
| Kagiso Rabada | Delhi Capitals | 2020 | 30 | 17 |
| Harshal Patel | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 2021 | 32 | 15 |
| Yuzvendra Chahal | Rajasthan Royals | 2022 | 27 | 17 |
| Mohammed Shami | Gujarat Titans | 2023 | 28 | 17 |
| Harshal Patel | Punjab Kings | 2024 | 24 | 14 |
| Prasidh Krishna | Gujarat Titans | 2025 | 25 | 15 |
IPL 2008: Sohail Tanvir (Rajasthan Royals)
Sohail Tanvir had a stunning debut IPL season in 2008. The Pakistani left-arm pacer was one of the biggest stars of the very first edition of the tournament. He took 22 wickets in just 11 matches for the Rajasthan Royals.
His best performance came against Chennai Super Kings, when he took 6 wickets for just 14 runs, the 2nd best bowling figures in IPL history. His economy was 6.46 while the average was 12.09. Tanvir played a massive role in helping Rajasthan Royals win the very first IPL title under Shane Warne’s captaincy.
IPL 2009: RP Singh (Delhi Capitals)
RP Singh was in brilliant form during the 2009 IPL season, which was held in South Africa due to the Indian elections. He took 23 wickets in 16 matches for Delhi Daredevils to claim the Purple Cap.
The left-arm seamer from Uttar Pradesh used the South African conditions very well, getting good pace and swing. His haul of 23 wickets at an average of 18.13 and an economy of 6.98. was impressive. He was especially dangerous in the powerplay overs, where he could use the new ball well. The 2009 season was one of his best seasons in any format of cricket.
IPL 2010: Pragyan Ojha (Deccan Chargers)
Pragyan Ojha claimed the Purple Cap in 2010 with 21 wickets in 16 matches for Deccan Chargers. The left-arm spinner from Odisha had an outstanding season, with a lot of control, and was difficult to hit on flat Hyderabad pitches.
Deccan Chargers had a solid bowling unit that year, and Ojha was their main wicket-taker. He troubled both left-handed and right-handed batters with his angle and variations. On the batting paradise pitches, he kept his economy at 7.29.
IPL 2011: Lasith Malinga (Mumbai Indians)
Lasith Malinga dominated the Indian Premier League 2011 season with his deadly pace and unique sling action. The Sri Lankan fast bowler troubled batters all tournament with perfect yorkers, sharp bouncers, and clever slower balls.
He took 28 wickets in 16 matches, which earned him the Purple Cap. Malinga proved especially dangerous in the death overs, where batters often struggled to score against him.
IPL 2012: Morne Morkel (Delhi Capitals)
Morne Morkel won the purple cap in a superb season in the Indian Premier League 2012. He took 25 wickets in 16 matches for Delhi Daredevils. The tall South African fast bowler used his pace and extra bounce to trouble batters on many pitches.
His height made an awkward lift, which made shot-making difficult. His performances made him the leader of Delhi’s bowling attack at an economy of 7.29 and with an outstanding strike rate of 15.12. Today, he also works as the bowling coach of the Indian team.
IPL 2013: Dwayne Bravo (Chennai Super Kings)
Dwayne Bravo had the best bowling season in IPL history in 2013. He took a record 32 wickets in 18 matches for Chennai Super Kings and won the Purple Cap. This total remains the highest number of wickets in a single IPL season. Bravo used clever slower balls, yorkers, and pace changes that troubled batters in every match.
His performances played a huge role in CSK’s strong campaign. Bravo also contributed with the bat and in the field, making him one of the most valuable players that season.
IPL 2014: Mohit Sharma (Chennai Super Kings)
Mohit Sharma had a breakout season in the Indian Premier League 2014, taking 23 wickets in 16 matches for Chennai Super Kings and winning the Purple Cap. The right-arm medium-fast bowler from Haryana impressed with his accurate lengths, cutters, and slower balls on Indian pitches.
Mohit was effective with the new ball and also reliable in the death overs, making him a key part of CSK’s bowling attack. He often picked up wickets at crucial moments, helping his team stay competitive throughout the season. His strong IPL 2014 performance also earned him his first call-up to the Indian national team later that year.
IPL 2015: Dwayne Bravo (Chennai Super Kings)
Dwayne Bravo won the Purple Cap again in the Indian Premier League 2015, taking 26 wickets in 16 matches for Chennai Super Kings. It was his second Purple Cap in three years, making him only the second bowler in IPL history at that time to achieve this.
Bravo was the best death-over bowler of the season, using clever slower balls and wide yorkers to stop big hits. He delivered strong performances throughout the tournament and also contributed as an all-rounder with bat and fielding. Chennai Super Kings finished runners-up in IPL 2015, but Bravo remained their key bowler. In 2013 and 2015, he took a remarkable 58 wickets in three IPL seasons.
IPL 2016: Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
Bhuvneshwar Kumar had an outstanding season in the Indian Premier League 2016, taking 23 wickets in 17 matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad. The right-arm swing bowler from Meerut impressed with his ability to swing the new ball and bowl accurately at the death.
He maintained an excellent economy of 7.42, which is very strong in T20 cricket. Bhuvneshwar. His consistent bowling played a major role in helping Sunrisers Hyderabad win the IPL 2016 title, making him one of the tournament’s most impactful bowlers.
IPL 2017: Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
Bhuvneshwar Kumar retained the Purple Cap in the Indian Premier League 2017, taking 26 wickets in 14 matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad. He is the first and only bowler in IPL history to win back-to-back Purple Caps.
His 2017 season was even better than 2016 because he took the same 26 wickets in fewer matches, giving him a stronger strike rate. Bhuvneshwar impressed with his swing bowling, accurate lengths, and smart variations, troubling top batters all season. He finished with an economy rate of 7.05 and a strike rate of 12.07.
IPL 2018: Andrew Tye (Kings XI Punjab)
Andrew Tye had a sensational season in the Indian Premier League 2018, taking 24 wickets in 14 matches for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). The right-arm medium-fast bowler surprised many with his brilliant performances throughout the tournament.
He has also had a hat-trick against the Rising Pune Supergiants in 2017, becoming only the 5th foreign bowler in IPL history to achieve this at that time. He took wickets in powerplay, middle overs, and death overs, staying consistent all season. His 24-wicket campaign remains one of the best IPL seasons by an Australian bowler.
IPL 2019: Imran Tahir (Chennai Super Kings)
Imran Tahir had a magical season in the Indian Premier League 2019, taking 26 wickets in 17 matches for Chennai Super Kings and winning the Purple Cap. At 40 years old, he became the oldest player to win the purple cap. It was his best season as well, as he checked scoring runs at an economy of 6.69.
The leg-spinner showed great skill with his googlies and leg-breaks, troubling batters throughout the tournament. His performances played a big role in helping the Chennai Super Kings reach the IPL 2019 final.
IPL 2020: Kagiso Rabada (Delhi Capitals)
Kagiso Rabada was outstanding in the 2020 Indian Premier League, held in the UAE. Playing for Delhi Capitals, the fast bowler took 30 wickets in 17 matches and won the Purple Cap. Rabada used his high pace, sharp bounce, and reverse swing to trouble batters on UAE pitches.
His best spell was 4/24, while his tournament economy was 8.34. His wickets helped Delhi Capitals reach the IPL final for the first time in their history. Rabada’s 30 wickets became the second-highest in a single IPL season, behind the 32-wicket record of Dwayne Bravo.
IPL 2021: Harshal Patel (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
Harshal Patel had a remarkable season in the Indian Premier League 2021, taking 32 wickets in 15 matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore. He equalled the all-time IPL record of 32 wickets set by Dwayne Bravo in 2013, but Harshal achieved it in one fewer match, making it even more impressive.
He used clever cutters, slower balls, and variations to trouble batters. His economy was 8.14 during this campaign at an outstanding average of 14.34. His outstanding performances helped RCB have a strong season and earned him his India white-ball debut later that year.
IPL 2022: Yuzvendra Chahal (Rajasthan Royals)
Yuzvendra Chahal didn’t retain by RCB ahead of the 2022 mega auction and had a brilliant season in the Indian Premier League 2022 for his new team, Rajasthan Royals. He took 27 wickets in 17 matches and won the Purple Cap.
It was his best IPL season and one of the finest performances by a leg-spinner in the tournament. Chahal used his googly, flipper, and sharp leg-breaks to confuse batters all season. Chahal is also the highest wicket-taker in IPL history with 221 wickets.
IPL 2023: Mohammed Shami (Gujarat Titans)
Mohammed Shami had one of the finest seasons of his IPL career in 2023, taking 28 wickets in 17 matches for the Gujarat Titans. The right-arm fast bowler used seam movement, reverse swing, and smart slower balls to trouble batters throughout the season.
He was highly effective with the new ball and also dangerous in the death overs. Gujarat Titans, the defending champions, reached the IPL 2023 final, with Shami leading their bowling attack. His excellent average of 19.87 made him both a wicket-taker and a run-controller.
IPL 2024: Harshal Patel (Punjab Kings)
Harshal Patel had an outstanding season in the Indian Premier League 2024 while playing for Punjab Kings. He took 24 wickets in 14 matches and won the Purple Cap for the second time in his IPL career.
With this achievement, Harshal joined an elite group with Dwayne Bravo and Bhuvneshwar Kumar as the only bowlers to win the Purple Cap more than once. He was very effective in the middle and death overs, with an economy of 9.73. His ability to take wickets in clusters made him the Punjab Kings’ key bowler and a major reason for their competitive 2024 campaign.
IPL 2025: Prasidh Krishna (Gujarat Titans)
Prasidh Krishna had a brilliant season in the Indian Premier League 2025 while playing for the Gujarat Titans. The tall right-arm fast bowler took 25 wickets in 15 matches and won the Purple Cap as the highest wicket-taker of the season.
He consistently bowled hard lengths that troubled batters on all kinds of pitches. Prasidh regularly clocked speeds of 140–145 kmph, making him difficult to score against. During his best IPL season, his economy was 8.27 at an average of 19.52.
More Related Topics:
Conclusion: Sohail Tanvir Is The First-Ever Purple Cap Winner In IPL
Sohail Tanvir is the first-ever Purple Cap winner in the Indian Premier League, with 22 wickets in 2008 for Rajasthan Royals. Since then, many great bowlers have dominated different seasons. Dwayne Bravo and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have won the award twice, while Bravo and Harshal Patel share the record of 32 wickets in a single season, the highest in IPL history.
These bowlers proved that even in a batter-friendly league, bowlers can decide matches and tournaments. The next big question remains exciting: who will join this Purple Cap winners list in IPL 2026?
