Former Indian international and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter has asserted his disapproval of the ‘Purple Cap’ award in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The prestigious cap is given to the most successful bowler, in terms of wickets taken, in a particular IPL season. However, Kaif feels that it doesn’t usually reflect the great contributions made by bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah or Sunil Narine.
IPL’s Purple Cap flawed?
Kaif argued that the current system is flawed, majorly citing the example of Jasprit Bumrah, a skilled bowler known for his ability to restrict runs. Kaif pointed out that batters often play cautiously against bowlers like Bumrah, which can limit their wicket-taking opportunities. Despite this, Bumrah’s economy rate remains untouched. Kaif questioned whether the Purple Cap should be awarded solely based on wickets taken, regardless of the bowler’s overall impact on the game
“The rule, the rule of how to purple cap, the highest wicket taker, that purple cap is given to. I am not happy with this rule because players like Jasprit Bumrah, Sunil Narine or Rashid Khan have not won a purple cap yet in the history of Indian Premier League (IPL). Because players bat carefully when player Bumrah is bowling.” said Mohammad Kaif on a video shared on ‘X’.
What Kaif pointed out can also be deemed true for the Orange Cap as well, awarded to the highest run-getters of the season. Usually, top-order batters, despite not making runs at amazing strike rates take away the prestigious award. Whereas “impactful” batters who take away the oppositions, quite belligerantly, don’t get any recognitions.
In case of Purple Caps, there have been only three instances where the bowler with the most wickets in a tournament has ended with an IPL trophy as well. Sohail Tanvir (RR) and RP Singh (DCG) did it in the first two years before Bhuvneshwar Kumar (SRH) was lucky enough to win both the Purple Cap and the IPL trophy in 2016. Rest 14 times, Purple Cap winners haven’t tasted championships.
List of Purple Cap winners in IPL
| Player Name | Wickets | Team | Year | IPL won that season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sohail Tanvir | 22 | Rajasthan Royals | 2008 | Yes |
| RP Singh | 23 | Deccan Chargers | 2009 | Yes |
| Pragyan Ojha | 21 | Deccan Chargers | 2010 | No |
| Lasith Malinga | 28 | Mumbai Indians | 2011 | No |
| Morne Morkel | 25 | Delhi Daredevils | 2012 | No |
| Dwayne Bravo | 32 | Chennai Super Kings | 2013 | No |
| Mohit Sharma | 23 | Chennai Super Kings | 2014 | No |
| Dwayne Bravo | 26 | Chennai Super Kings | 2015 | No |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 23 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 2016 | Yes |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 26 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 2017 | No |
| Andre Tye | 24 | Kings XI Punjab | 2018 | No |
| Imran Tahir | 26 | Chennai Super Kings | 2019 | No |
| Kagiso Rabada | 30 | Delhi Capitals | 2020 | No |
| Harshal Patel | 32 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 2021 | No |
| Yuzvendra Chahal | 27 | Rajasthan Royals | 2022 | No |
| Mohammed Shami | 28 | Gujarat Titans | 2023 | No |
| Harshal Patel | 24 | Punjab Kings | 2024 | No |
In the ongoing IPL 2025, Josh Hazlewood is reigning supreme as the Purple Cap holder, boasting an impressive 18 wickets in just 10 matches for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The Australian pacer has bowled 36.5 overs, conceding 311 runs at a commendable economy rate of 8.44.
However, Gujarat Titans’ Prasidh Krishna is hot on his heels, having claimed 17 wickets in nine outings. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians’ Jasprit Bumrah, coming on the back of an injury, sits 19th on the list with 11 wickets in seven matches. Despite his lower wicket tally, Bumrah’s economy rate of 6.96 showcases that it’s almost impossible to hit him.
