Purple Cap In IPL TRACKER -
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The Purple Cap Leaderboard
Top five bowlers by wickets, tracked across every IPL and WPL season.
| Rank & Player | Team | Matches | Wickets |
|---|
Purple Cap Record Holders Spotlight
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IPL Purple Cap Winners List (2008–2026): Full History, Records & Latest Updates
The IPL Purple Cap is one of the most important individual awards in the Indian Premier League. It is given to the bowler who finishes the season with the most wickets. Since the first IPL season in 2008, several world-class bowlers have won the award, including Lasith Malinga, Dwayne Bravo, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kagiso Rabada, Yuzvendra Chahal and Mohammed Shami.
The IPL Purple Cap winners list has also produced some memorable records. Dwayne Bravo and Harshal Patel share the record for the highest number of wickets in a single IPL season, with 32 each. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is another standout name, having won the Purple Cap in consecutive seasons in 2016 and 2017.
In IPL 2026, Kagiso Rabada finished at the top of the wicket-taking charts. The Gujarat Titans pacer claimed 29 wickets in 17 matches and secured his second Purple Cap after his 2020 triumph. He moved ahead of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who ended the season with 28 wickets.
Current Purple Cap Holder – IPL 2026
The IPL Purple Cap is one of the most important individual awards in the Indian Premier League. It is given to the bowler who finishes the season with the most wickets. Since the first IPL season in 2008, several world-class bowlers have won the award, including Lasith Malinga, Dwayne Bravo, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kagiso Rabada, Yuzvendra Chahal and Mohammed Shami.
The IPL Purple Cap winners list has also produced some memorable records. Dwayne Bravo and Harshal Patel share the record for the highest number of wickets in a single IPL season, with 32 each. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is another standout name, having won the Purple Cap in consecutive seasons in 2016 and 2017.
In IPL 2026, Kagiso Rabada finished at the top of the wicket-taking charts. The Gujarat Titans pacer claimed 29 wickets in 17 matches and secured his second Purple Cap after his 2020 triumph. He moved ahead of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who ended the season with 28 wickets.
| Rank | Player | Team | Matches | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kagiso Rabada | Gujarat Titans | 17 | 29 | 9.68 |
| 2 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 16 | 28 | 8.00 |
| 3 | Jofra Archer | Rajasthan Royals | 16 | 25 | 9.32 |
| 4 | Rashid Khan | Gujarat Titans | 17 | 21 | 9.00 |
| 5 | Anshul Kamboj | Chennai Super Kings | 14 | 21 | 10.53 |
What Is the Purple Cap in IPL?
The Purple Cap is awarded to the bowler who takes the most wickets in an IPL season. It is the bowling equivalent of the Orange Cap, which is awarded to the leading run-scorer.
The award was introduced during the inaugural IPL season in 2008. Sohail Tanvir became the first Purple Cap winner after taking 22 wickets for Rajasthan Royals. Since then, the award has become one of the most recognised individual honours in the tournament.
The Purple Cap is not only about taking wickets. Bowlers have to maintain their performance throughout a long and competitive tournament. A bowler may lead the wicket charts for several weeks, but another player can overtake him before the season ends.
Why Is It Called the "Purple Cap"?
The award gets its name from the purple-coloured cap worn by the leading wicket-taker.
During the tournament, the bowler who is currently leading the wicket charts can wear the Purple Cap. At the end of the season, the player who has taken the most wickets is officially recognised as the Purple Cap winner.
This makes the award interesting to follow throughout the IPL because the holder can change several times during a season.
Purple Cap Records & Stats
The purple cap in IPL history has produced several interesting records. Here are some of the biggest ones.
Most Purple Caps in IPL History
No player has won the award more than twice. Four bowlers have won the Purple Cap twice:
| Player | Purple Caps | Winning Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| Dwayne Bravo | 2 | 2013, 2015 |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 2 | 2016, 2017 |
| Harshal Patel | 2 | 2021, 2024 |
| Kagiso Rabada | 2 | 2020, 2026 |
Therefore, the answer to "Who has won the most Purple Caps in IPL history?" is a four-way tie between Dwayne Bravo, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel and Kagiso Rabada, with two Purple Caps each.
Most Wickets in a Single IPL Season
The record for the most wickets in one IPL season is 32 wickets. Dwayne Bravo achieved the mark in 2013 for Chennai Super Kings. Harshal Patel matched the record in 2021 while playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore.
| Player | Season | Team | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dwayne Bravo | 2013 | Chennai Super Kings | 32 |
| Harshal Patel | 2021 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 32 |
| Kagiso Rabada | 2020 | Delhi Capitals | 30 |
| Lasith Malinga | 2011 | Mumbai Indians | 28 |
| Mohammed Shami | 2023 | Gujarat Titans | 28 |
Most Purple Cap Wins by Team
Looking at Purple Cap IPL teams, Chennai Super Kings have had the highest number of winners through the 2026 season.
| Team | Purple Cap Wins |
|---|---|
| Chennai Super Kings | 4 |
| Gujarat Titans | 3 |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | 2 |
| Deccan Chargers | 2 |
| Rajasthan Royals | 2 |
| Delhi Capitals | 1 |
| Mumbai Indians | 1 |
| Royal Challengers Bangalore | 1 |
| Kings XI Punjab | 1 |
| Punjab Kings | 1 |
CSK's four wins came through Dwayne Bravo in 2013 and 2015, Mohit Sharma in 2014 and Imran Tahir in 2019. Gujarat Titans have now collected three Purple Caps through Mohammed Shami in 2023, Prasidh Krishna in 2025 and Kagiso Rabada in 2026.
Most Successful Indian Purple Cap Winners
Several Indian bowlers have won the Purple Cap, including RP Singh, Pragyan Ojha, Mohit Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Shami and Prasidh Krishna.
Among them, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harshal Patel have won it twice.
Bhuvneshwar's consecutive wins in 2016 and 2017 remain a special achievement because very few bowlers have managed to stay at the top of the wicket charts for two seasons in a row.
Purple Cap vs Orange Cap – What's the Difference?
The Purple Cap and Orange Cap are both major individual awards in the IPL, but they recognise different skills.
| Feature | Purple Cap | Orange Cap |
|---|---|---|
| Awarded to | Leading wicket-taker | Leading run-scorer |
| Main performance | Wickets | Runs |
| Player type | Bowler | Batter |
| Award focus | Bowling performance | Batting performance |
| First season | 2008 | 2008 |
| Current 2026 winner | Kagiso Rabada | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi |
The Purple Cap winner is the bowler with the most wickets, while the Orange Cap winner is the batter with the most runs. Both awards can change hands several times during an IPL season as players move up and down the statistical charts.
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LEGACY OF THE Purple CAP
Since the inaugural IPL season in 2008, the Orange Cap has represented the pinnacle of batting excellence in the Indian Premier League. Awarded to the tournament's leading run-scorer, it has become a symbol of consistency, impact and sustained performance throughout the high-pressure T20 season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the official rules and historical ties of the Purple Cap.
Who has won the most Purple Caps in IPL history?
Four players share the record for the most Purple Cap wins in IPL history. Dwayne Bravo, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel and Kagiso Rabada have each won the award twice.
Who won the Purple Cap in IPL 2026?
Kagiso Rabada won the IPL 2026 Purple Cap. The Gujarat Titans fast bowler took 29 wickets in 17 matches, finishing ahead of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who took 28 wickets for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Every IPL and international fixture is analysed by our veteran team before the first ball is bowled. We break down toss patterns, powerplay run rates, and death-over bowling averages so your pre-match decisions are grounded in evidence, not guesswork.
Has any Indian bowler won the Purple Cap?
Yes. Several Indian bowlers have won the Purple Cap. The list includes RP Singh, Pragyan Ojha, Mohit Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Shami and Prasidh Krishna. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harshal Patel have each won it twice.
Every IPL and international fixture is analysed by our veteran team before the first ball is bowled. We break down toss patterns, powerplay run rates, and death-over bowling averages so your pre-match decisions are grounded in evidence, not guesswork.
What is the highest number of wickets in a single IPL season?
The highest number of wickets taken by a bowler in one IPL season is 32. Dwayne Bravo achieved the mark in 2013 for Chennai Super Kings, and Harshal Patel matched it in 2021 for Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Every IPL and international fixture is analysed by our veteran team before the first ball is bowled. We break down toss patterns, powerplay run rates, and death-over bowling averages so your pre-match decisions are grounded in evidence, not guesswork.
Does the Purple Cap winner get a cash prize?
Yes. In recent IPL seasons, the Purple Cap winner has received ₹10 lakh in prize money, along with the Purple Cap and recognition as the season’s leading wicket-taker.
Every IPL and international fixture is analysed by our veteran team before the first ball is bowled. We break down toss patterns, powerplay run rates, and death-over bowling averages so your pre-match decisions are grounded in evidence, not guesswork.
When was the Purple Cap first introduced?
The Purple Cap was introduced in the first IPL season in 2008. Rajasthan Royals’ Sohail Tanvir became the inaugural Purple Cap winner after taking 22 wickets.
Every IPL and international fixture is analysed by our veteran team before the first ball is bowled. We break down toss patterns, powerplay run rates, and death-over bowling averages so your pre-match decisions are grounded in evidence, not guesswork.
Who was the first Purple Cap winner in IPL history?
Sohail Tanvir was the first Purple Cap winner in IPL history. He represented Rajasthan Royals in 2008 and took 22 wickets in 11 matches.
Every IPL and international fixture is analysed by our veteran team before the first ball is bowled. We break down toss patterns, powerplay run rates, and death-over bowling averages so your pre-match decisions are grounded in evidence, not guesswork.
Which bowler has taken the most wickets in one IPL season?
Dwayne Bravo and Harshal Patel jointly hold the record. Both took 32 wickets in a single season, Bravo in 2013 and Harshal in 2021.
Every IPL and international fixture is analysed by our veteran team before the first ball is bowled. We break down toss patterns, powerplay run rates, and death-over bowling averages so your pre-match decisions are grounded in evidence, not guesswork.
Has anyone won the Purple Cap in consecutive IPL seasons?
Yes. Bhuvneshwar Kumar won the Purple Cap in both 2016 and 2017 while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad. He took 23 wickets in 2016 and 26 wickets in 2017.
Every IPL and international fixture is analysed by our veteran team before the first ball is bowled. We break down toss patterns, powerplay run rates, and death-over bowling averages so your pre-match decisions are grounded in evidence, not guesswork.
What is the highest number of wickets in a single IPL season?
The highest number of wickets taken by a bowler in one IPL season is 32. Dwayne Bravo achieved the mark in 2013 for Chennai Super Kings, and Harshal Patel matched it in 2021 for Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Every IPL and international fixture is analysed by our veteran team before the first ball is bowled. We break down toss patterns, powerplay run rates, and death-over bowling averages so your pre-match decisions are grounded in evidence, not guesswork.