The Indian Premier League consists of an Orange Cap and a Purple Cap. While the Orange Cap is given to the player who scores the most number of runs in the season, the Purple Cap is given to the player who picks the most number of wickets. Various bowlers have succeeded throughout a particular IPL season and have won the Purple Cap. They take the most number of wickets in the season, and under which, their team has done well.
Today we shall be taking a look at it – the top 5 bowlers who picked the most wickets in a single IPL season.
–> You can also read the batters record for the same in this blog!
#5 James Faulkner – 28 Wickets (IPL 2013)
James Faulkner was at his best in 2013. Despite not winning the Purple Cap, he ensured that his performance is remembered for a really long time. The Australian all-rounder represented the Rajasthan Royals (RR) that year and was their most successful bowler. He picked up 28 wickets in 16 matches, including a fifer against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
He took the second most number of wickets that season as Rajasthan Royals narrowly missed out on playing the finals. Faulkner thus took the same number of wickets Malinga took in 2011 and finds himself on this list.
Read Now: Top 5 All Round Performance in ODI history!
#4 Lasith Malinga – 28 Wickets (IPL 2011)
Lasith Malinga is unarguably the greatest pacer in the history of the league. No bowler has been as threatening as him. It is his heroics that has made Mumbai Indians (MI) legendary team today. Slinga Malinga was at his best in 2011.
It was the fourth edition of the IPL when Malinga won the Purple Cap. He took 28 wickets in that season. Thus the Sri Lankan pacer has taken the third most wickets in a single IPL season.
Note: The Purple Cap winner of the 2023 season, Mohammed Shami of Gujarat Titans, also picked 28 wickets in that season, thereby joining Lasith Malinga and James Faulkner.
#3 Kagiso Rabada – 30 Wickets (IPL 2020)
The Proteas pacer has been one of the best bowlers of the IPL for quite a while now. Kagiso Rabada narrowly missed out on the Purple Cap in 2019 but won it in 2020.
Kagiso Rabada took the most number of wickets last year and won the Purple Cap. He took 30 wickets in 2020 and has taken the second most number of wickets in a single edition. His exceptional performance propelled Delhi Capitals (DC) to the finals.
To understand the insanity of Kagiso Rabada in white ball cricket, look here.
#2 Harshal Patel – 32 Wickets (IPL 2021)
The only uncapped player to be at this list of successful IPL bowlers. Harshal Patel played a big part in helping RCB reaching the knock-out in the season.
His hat-trick against Mumbai Indians, which is the only instance in that season, added more spice to this youngster’s performance in 2021. Find the list of IPL hat-tricks here.
This also helped Patel getting the call to play for India. The RCB bowler made his debut against New Zealand in a home T20 season shortly after the IPL.
Read Now: Top 5 Batsmen with Most Runs against MI
#1 Dwayne Bravo – 32 Wickets (IPL 2013)
Everybody knows that Bravo is a champion! The former West Indies captain has taken the most number of wickets in a single IPL season. He took 32 wickets in the sixth edition of the league as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) reached the finals. IPL 2013 will always be remembered for DJ Bravo’s exceptional performances.
Bravo also managed to win the Purple Cap two seasons later and was took the most number of wickets in 2015. He took 26 wickets in that season. It is safe to say that the West Indian all-rounder has been one of the greatest match-winners for CSK.
