Complete List of IPL Purple Cap Winners (2008-2025) and Records

The Indian Premier League (IPL), established in 2008, is the world’s premier T20 cricket competition, attracting top international and domestic talent. Among the most prestigious individual accolades in the tournament is the IPL Purple Cap, awarded to the bowler who finishes with the most wickets in a season. The Purple Cap is a symbol of bowling dominance, much like the Orange Cap is for the highest run-scorer.

Over the years, several legendary bowlers have clinched this honor, showcasing their skill and consistency on cricket’s grandest stage. In this article, we take a deep dive into the history, records, and complete list of IPL Purple Cap winners from 2008 to 2025.

What is the IPL Purple Cap?

The IPL Purple Cap is an annual award given to the leading wicket-taker of an IPL season. The bowler with the most wickets wears the Purple Cap on the field throughout the tournament. If two or more bowlers have the same number of wickets, the one with the best economy rate is awarded the Purple Cap.

Complete List of IPL Purple Cap Winners (2008-2025)

First-Ever IPL Purple Cap Winner: Sohail Tanvir (2008)

The inaugural season of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2008) saw Pakistan’s Sohail Tanvir from Rajasthan Royals (RR) winning the first-ever Purple Cap. He picked up 22 wickets in just 11 matches, playing a pivotal role in helping RR win the first-ever IPL title. Tanvir’s 6/14 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) remained the best bowling figures in IPL history for over a decade.

Evolution of Purple Cap Winners in IPL

2009-2010: Indian Bowlers Shine

After Tanvir’s success in 2008, Indian pacers dominated the next two seasons:

• RP Singh (Deccan Chargers, 2009) – 23 wickets in 16 matches, leading DC to their maiden IPL title.
• Pragyan Ojha (Deccan Chargers, 2010) – 21 wickets in 16 matches, becoming the first specialist spinner to win the Purple Cap.

2011-2015: Records and Dominance of Overseas Bowlers

• Lasith Malinga (Mumbai Indians, 2011) – 28 wickets in 16 matches, breaking previous records for most wickets in a season.
• Dwayne Bravo (Chennai Super Kings, 2013) – 32 wickets in 18 matches, setting a new record.
• Bravo won the Purple Cap again in 2015, becoming the first bowler in IPL history to win it twice.

2016-2021: Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s Back-to-Back Purple Caps & New Records

• Bhuvneshwar Kumar (SRH, 2016 & 2017) became the first Indian bowler to win consecutive Purple Caps, leading Sunrisers Hyderabad to their maiden IPL victory in 2016.
• Kagiso Rabada (DC, 2020) became only the third bowler to take 30+ wickets in a season.
• Harshal Patel (RCB, 2021) equaled Bravo’s record of 32 wickets in a single season.

2022-2025: Recent Purple Cap Winners

• Yuzvendra Chahal (RR, 2022) – 27 wickets in 17 matches.
• Mohammed Shami (GT, 2023) – 28 wickets in 17 matches.
• Harshal Patel (PBKS, 2024) – 24 wickets in 14 matches, becoming the only player to win the Purple Cap for two different teams.

Most Purple Cap Wins in IPL History

1. Dwayne Bravo – 2 (2013, 2015)
2. Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 2 (2016, 2017)
3. Harshal Patel – 2 (2021, 2024)