List of Purple Cap in IPL 2008–2025: Winners List, Rules, and All-Time Records

Who Can Win the Purple Cap in IPL 2025?

The Purple Cap in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is awarded to the player who finishes with the most number of wickets in a single season. Across the years multiple bowlers have dominated the the Purple cap from the likes of Harshal Patel to Yuzvendra Chahal. 

This year however in 2025, Gujarat Titans bowler Prasidh Krishna is close to winning the Purple Cap as he’s picked up a total of 25 wickets in 15 matches in the tournament.  He is the favourite to win the tournament given his closest competitors have already been knocked out of the tournament. 

Noor Ahmed the CSK leggie who’s in second place with 24 wickets won’t be able to win the Purple Cap as his team has also been knocked out of the tournament. Same goes for the likes of Trent Boult, Sai Kishore and Jasprit Bumrah. 

In fourth place is RCB’s Josh Hazlewood who has picked up 21 wickets in 11 matches at an economy of 8.30 and strike rate of 11.42. He’s  been one of the bowlers of the tournament and still has a shot of making it to the top of the pile and winning the Purple Cap. 

Here’s how the Purple Cap standings look like at the business end of the IPL campaign.  

List of Purple Cap Winners in IPL (2008–2025)

Here's a season-wise breakdown of all the Purple Cap winners in the history of the Indian Premier League from its inception in 2008 till the 2025 season:

These statistics highlight the exceptional performances of these bowlers throughout their respective seasons. Notably, Dwayne Bravo and Harshal Patel's 32 wickets in 2013 and 2021 respectively remain the highest in a single IPL season. Bhuvneshwar Kumar's consistent performances have earned him the Purple Cap twice, the most by any Indian player.

Indian Players Who Have Won the Purple Cap in IPL

Indian bowlers have made significant contributions to the IPL, with several securing the Purple Cap over the years. Their performances have not only elevated their teams but also inspired budding cricketers across the nation.

Here's a list of Indian players who have clinched the Purple Cap:

These achievements underscore the depth of bowling talent in India. Bhuvneshwar Kumar stands out with two Purple Caps, including back-to-back wins in 2016 and 2017. The likes of Harshal Patel has also won the purple cap twice while the likes of Mohamed Shami and Yuzvendra Chahal have been dominant throughout the seasons in which they emerged victorious in the Purple Cap. 

Most Purple Cap Wins in IPL History

Only a handful of bowlers have managed to win the Purple Cap more than once, showcasing not just their wicket-taking ability but their sustained excellence across seasons. These elite performers didn’t just shine in a single campaign—they built a legacy by consistently topping the bowling charts.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 2 Times (2016, 2017)

Bhuvneshwar Kumar remains the only bowler in IPL history to win back-to-back Purple Caps. He achieved this feat while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad, picking up 23 wickets in 2016 and 26 in 2017. Known for his swing with the new ball and precision at the death, Bhuvneshwar was a vital cog in Hyderabad’s title-winning run in 2016. His calm under pressure and ability to outthink batters made him one of the most dependable pacers in the league.

Dwayne Bravo – 2 Times (2013, 2015)

Representing Chennai Super Kings, Dwayne Bravo claimed the Purple Cap in 2013 with 32 wickets, a record at the time, and followed it up with 26 wickets in 2015. Bravo's clever variations, especially his slower balls, made him a T20 specialist. His knack for delivering in crunch moments turned him into CSK’s go-to bowler during tight finishes. Beyond his wickets, his charisma and energy added flair to his performances.

Harshal Patel – 2 Times (2021, 2024)

Harshal Patel etched his name in IPL history with Purple Cap wins in 2021 and 2024. He took 32 wickets in 2021 for Royal Challengers Bangalore, equaling Bravo’s record for most wickets in a season. In 2024, he repeated his wicket-taking heroics with 25 scalps. Relying on sharp slower balls and pinpoint accuracy, Harshal emerged as a death-overs specialist, evolving into one of the most impactful Indian pacers of the T20 era.

Fast Bowlers Who Have Won the Purple Cap in IPL

Fast bowlers have played a pivotal role in the IPL, often turning matches with their pace and precision. Several pacers have clinched the Purple Cap, showcasing their dominance in the tournament.
Notable fast bowlers who have secured the Purple Cap include:

Chennai Super Kings’ Dwayne Bravo in the year 2013 and Royal Challengers Bengaluru Harshal Patel in 2021 are the players who hold the record for the most wickets taken in a single IPL season with 32 wickets each.  These pacers have consistently delivered match-winning performances, leveraging their speed and skill to outfox batsmen. Their contributions have been instrumental in their teams' successes.

Spinners Who Have Won the Purple Cap in IPL

Spinners have been game-changers in the IPL, using guile and variation to outwit batsmen. Several spinners have topped the wicket charts, earning the prestigious Purple Cap.

There have only been three spinners in the history of the IPL who have won the Purple Cap.  

Pragyan Ojha – 2010 (Deccan Chargers)

Pragyan Ojha emerged as a surprise package in IPL 2010, claiming 21 wickets in 16 matches. The left-arm orthodox spinner bowled with exceptional discipline, often choking runs in the middle overs while picking up key wickets. His economy of 7.29 and ability to deceive batsmen with flight and turn were crucial for Deccan Chargers’ journey to the semifinals. Ojha became the first full-time spinner to win the Purple Cap, proving that spin could be a match-winning weapon in T20s.

Imran Tahir – 2019 (Chennai Super Kings)

At 40 years old, Imran Tahir turned back the clock in IPL 2019, taking 26 wickets in 17 matches. His aggressive leg-spin, constant energy, and celebratory sprints became iconic that season. Tahir maintained an economy of just 6.69 while consistently picking wickets in the middle overs. His variations in pace and sharp googlies baffled some of the best in the business, making him a crucial asset for Chennai Super Kings as they reached the final that year.

Yuzvendra Chahal – 2022 (Rajasthan Royals)

Yuzvendra Chahal had a standout season in IPL 2022, picking up 27 wickets in 17 games for Rajasthan Royals. He combined accuracy with subtle variations to dominate the middle overs. Chahal’s best performance came against Kolkata Knight Riders, where he picked up a match-winning 5/40, including a hat-trick. With a strike rate of 15.11 and economy under 8, he proved why wrist-spin remains so effective in the shortest format.

These spinners have shown that skill and strategy can outwit brute force. In a tournament where pacers often dominate the wickets tally, these spin wizards have made their mark with memorable seasons, reinforcing the importance of variety in T20 bowling attacks.

First-Ever Purple Cap Winner in IPL

The first season of the IPL in 2008 introduced fans to thrilling contests and breakout performances. Among the standout moments was Sohail Tanvir of Rajasthan Royals becoming the first-ever Purple Cap winner. The left-arm pacer from Pakistan delivered a sensational campaign, finishing with 22 wickets in just 11 matches at an astonishing average of 12.09 and an economy rate of 6.46.

Tanvir’s unique bowling action and clever variations made him a nightmare for batters, especially during the powerplay overs. His best performance came against Chennai Super Kings, where he claimed 6/14—one of the most remarkable spells in IPL history.

Tanvir’s Purple Cap win not only played a crucial role in Rajasthan Royals lifting the title that year but also set the tone for the importance of bowling in a format often dominated by big-hitting batsmen. His achievement remains a historic milestone, marking the beginning of the Purple Cap legacy in the IPL.

Team-Wise Purple Cap Winners in IPL

The distribution of Purple Cap winners across IPL teams highlights the bowling firepower each franchise has possessed over the years. While some teams have consistently unearthed quality pacers and spinners, others have relied on standout individual seasons to top the wicket-taking charts.

Here’s a breakdown of Purple Cap wins by team:

Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Sunrisers Hyderabad lead the table with three Purple Cap wins each, showing the franchises' knack for developing or recruiting prolific wicket-takers. While CSK benefited from Dwayne Bravo’s consistency, RCB saw Harshal Patel and others step up. Sunrisers, known for their disciplined bowling units, especially under David Warner’s captaincy, also produced standout performers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The spread across teams underlines the IPL’s competitive balance when it comes to top-quality bowling talent.

Rules for Winning the Purple Cap in IPL

The Purple Cap is awarded to the bowler with the most wickets in a single IPL season. Here are the key rules that govern its allocation:

Eligibility: All bowlers participating in the IPL are eligible for the Purple Cap.

Awarding: The cap is worn by the leading wicket-taker during the tournament while fielding. At the end of the season, the bowler with the highest number of wickets officially wins the Purple Cap.

Tiebreaker: In case of a tie on wickets, the bowler with the superior economy rate is awarded the Purple Cap.