The IPL Purple Cap is awarded to the bowler who finishes a season as the highest wicket-taker in the Indian Premier League. Alongside the Orange Cap for batters, it remains one of the most prestigious individual honours in the tournament.
Since the IPL began in 2008, the award has been claimed by some of the biggest names in world cricket. Pakistan pacer Sohail Tanvir was the first Purple Cap winner after finishing as the top wicket-taker in the inaugural season.
As of the 2025 season, Dwayne Bravo, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harshal Patel hold the record for the most Purple Caps in IPL history, winning the award twice each. The most recent winner is Prasidh Krishna, who claimed the Purple Cap in IPL 2025.
IPL Purple Cap winners list (2008-2025)
| Year | Purple Cap Winner | Team | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Prasidh Krishna | Gujarat Titans | 25 |
| 2024 | Harshal Patel | Punjab Kings | 24 |
| 2023 | Mohammed Shami | Gujarat Titans | 28 |
| 2022 | Yuzvendra Chahal | Rajasthan Royals | 27 |
| 2021 | Harshal Patel | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 32 |
| 2020 | Kagiso Rabada | Delhi Capitals | 30 |
| 2019 | Imran Tahir | Chennai Super Kings | 26 |
| 2018 | Andrew Tye | Kings XI Punjab | 24 |
| 2017 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 26 |
| 2016 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 23 |
| 2015 | Dwayne Bravo | Chennai Super Kings | 26 |
| 2014 | Mohit Sharma | Chennai Super Kings | 23 |
| 2013 | Dwayne Bravo | Chennai Super Kings | 32 |
| 2012 | Morne Morkel | Delhi Daredevils | 25 |
| 2011 | Lasith Malinga | Mumbai Indians | 28 |
| 2010 | Pragyan Ojha | Deccan Chargers | 21 |
| 2009 | RP Singh | Deccan Chargers | 23 |
| 2008 | Sohail Tanvir | Rajasthan Royals | 22 |
Bowlers with the most Purple Caps
Three bowlers share the record for the most Purple Cap wins in IPL history.
Dwayne Bravo was the first bowler to win the award twice, claiming it in 2013 and 2015 for Chennai Super Kings. His 32 wickets in the 2013 season remained the tournament record for several years.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar then became the first bowler to win the Purple Cap in consecutive seasons when he topped the wicket charts in both 2016 and 2017 for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Harshal Patel joined the elite list after winning the award in 2021 with Royal Challengers Bengaluru and again in 2024 with Punjab Kings. He is also the only bowler to win the Purple Cap with two different franchises.
Record-breaking bowling seasons in IPL
The benchmark for most wickets in a single IPL season stands at 32 wickets.
Dwayne Bravo set the record in IPL 2013 before Harshal Patel equalled it in IPL 2021. Kagiso Rabada also came close when he picked up 30 wickets for Delhi Capitals in the 2020 season.
Lasith Malinga’s 28 wickets in 2011 was another standout campaign, helping establish him as one of the greatest bowlers in IPL history.
Recent IPL Purple Cap winners
In recent IPL seasons, the Purple Cap race has been dominated by a mix of pace and spin bowlers.
Mohammed Shami won the award in 2023 with 28 wickets for Gujarat Titans, while Harshal Patel followed up with another Purple Cap in 2024 playing for Punjab Kings.
In IPL 2025, Gujarat Titans pacer Prasidh Krishna secured the Purple Cap with 25 wickets from 15 matches, continuing the franchise’s strong bowling legacy.
With every IPL season producing new bowling stars, the Purple Cap remains one of the most closely contested awards in the tournament.