Purple Cap Winners in IPL: Full List

The Purple Cap is awarded to the highest wicket-taker in each IPL season, the bowling equivalent of the batting Orange Cap. Introduced in the inaugural 2008 season, it has become one of the most prestigious individual honors in T20 cricket, recognizing the bowlers who consistently break partnerships and deliver under pressure across a grueling two-month campaign.

The roll of honor features some of the greatest T20 bowlers ever, from Lasith Malinga’s slinging yorkers to Dwayne Bravo’s endless variations, from Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s swing to Kagiso Rabada’s raw pace. Here is every Purple Cap winner from 2008 through the 2026 season.

Complete List of Purple Cap Winners

Multiple Winners and the Greats

Three bowlers have won the Purple Cap twice. Dwayne Bravo was the first, taking 32 wickets in 2013, still the joint-highest tally in a single season, and 26 more in 2015. The West Indian’s mastery of slower balls and death bowling made him the defining T20 seamer of his era, and his 2013 haul remains the benchmark for wicket-taking in a season.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar won back-to-back caps in 2016 and 2017 with Sunrisers Hyderabad, the only bowler to win consecutive Purple Caps. His swing with the new ball and pinpoint yorkers at the death made him the complete T20 pacer, and his 2026 season, finishing one wicket behind Rabada at the age of 38, showed his enduring class.

Kagiso Rabada joined the two-time club in 2026, adding 29 wickets for Gujarat Titans to the 30 he took for Delhi Capitals in 2020. His combination of express pace and control has made him one of the most feared bowlers in world cricket, and his second cap confirmed his status among the league’s all-time great quicks.

The 2026 Race: Rabada Edges Bhuvneshwar

The 2026 Purple Cap race was one of the closest in recent memory. Rabada and Bhuvneshwar Kumar were locked together through much of the season, with the lead changing hands several times. Rabada eventually sealed it with 29 wickets in 17 matches, finishing one ahead of Bhuvneshwar’s 28, in what was widely reported as the veteran Indian seamer’s final IPL campaign.

Mohammed Siraj, also of Gujarat Titans, led the league in dot balls with 172, showing the depth of quality in the Titans’ attack even in a season they ended as runners-up. The race was a reminder that the Purple Cap often comes down to the final matches, adding intrigue to the business end of the season.

Memorable Purple Cap Campaigns

Several winning campaigns stand out beyond the numbers. Lasith Malinga’s 28 wickets in 2011 announced him as the league’s premier death bowler, his toe-crushing yorkers becoming the stuff of legend. Imran Tahir’s 2019 triumph at the age of 40, with 26 wickets for champions Chennai Super Kings, was a victory for craft and passion, celebrated with his famous sprinting celebration.

Harshal Patel’s 32 wickets in 2021 equaled Bravo’s record, built on clever variations and ice-cold execution for RCB. Andrew Tye’s 2018 win featured a hat-trick and showcased the value of the knuckle ball. And Sohail Tanvir’s inaugural 2008 cap, with 22 wickets including a six-wicket haul, set the standard in the league’s first season.

What It Takes to Win the Purple Cap

The winners share common traits. Most are new-ball and death bowlers who bowl their full quota in almost every match, maximizing wicket opportunities. Versatility is key, with the best able to strike in the powerplay and return at the death. Fitness matters enormously across a long season, and the ability to adapt to different pitches separates contenders from also-rans.

Spinners have won their share too, with Ojha, Tahir, and Chahal proving that wicket-taking spin remains gold in T20 cricket. But the modern trend favors pace, with five of the last seven caps going to fast bowlers, reflecting how the game has evolved toward powerplay strike bowling.

Purple Cap Near Misses and What-Ifs

Some of the most dramatic Purple Cap races were decided in the final matches. In 2026, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 28 wickets at 38 left him one short of Kagiso Rabada, a near miss that would have made him the oldest winner in history. In several seasons, the lead changed hands during the playoffs, with bowlers on finalist teams getting extra matches to chase the leader.

Lasith Malinga never won the Purple Cap despite being the league’s most feared death bowler for a decade, a quirk explained by injuries limiting his appearances in key seasons. Jasprit Bumrah, arguably the greatest T20 bowler of his generation, has also never topped the charts, often because Mumbai’s balanced attack spreads wickets around.

These near misses show how much circumstance shapes the award. Playing for a team that reaches the final means two extra matches, a significant advantage. Staying fit across the whole season matters as much as skill, and a single quiet game at the wrong time can cost the cap.

Who won the Purple Cap in 2026?

Kagiso Rabada won the Purple Cap in 2026, taking 29 wickets in 17 matches for Gujarat Titans. It was his second Purple Cap, having previously won the award in 2020 with Delhi Capitals.

Who has won the most Purple Caps?

Dwayne Bravo, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Kagiso Rabada have each won the Purple Cap twice, the most by any bowler. Bravo won in 2013 and 2015, Bhuvneshwar in 2016 and 2017, and Rabada in 2020 and 2026.

What is the most wickets in a single IPL season?

The record for most wickets in a single IPL season is 32, shared by Dwayne Bravo, who took 32 for Chennai Super Kings in 2013, and Harshal Patel, who took 32 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2021.

Has a spinner ever won the Purple Cap?

Yes. Pragyan Ojha won in 2010, Imran Tahir won in 2019 at the age of 40, and Yuzvendra Chahal won in 2022, all proving that spin bowling can dominate the wicket charts in T20 cricket.

What is the difference between the Purple Cap and the Orange Cap?

The Purple Cap is awarded to the highest wicket-taker in an IPL season, while the Orange Cap goes to the highest run-scorer. Both are among the most prestigious individual awards in the tournament.