Purple Cap in IPL 2025

Gujarat Titans' Prasidh Krishna continues to top the IPL 2025 Purple Cap leaderboard with 21 wickets in 12 matches. The right-arm pacer has been lethal with the new ball and equally effective at the death, maintaining a solid average of 17.57 and a strike rate of 13.42.

He now shares the top spot with Noor Ahmad of Chennai Super Kings, who also has 21 wickets from 13 games. The Afghan wrist-spinner has been a revelation for CSK this season. Mumbai Indians' Trent Boult has climbed to third place with 19 wickets after adding one more to his tally on Wednesday. His ability to break partnerships and swing the new ball continues to be a key asset for MI.

Close behind is Josh Hazlewood of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who has scalped 18 wickets in just 10 matches. Kolkata Knight Riders' Varun Chakravarthy stays in the hunt with 17 wickets, while Jasprit Bumrah, following his three-wicket haul against DC on Wednesday, has moved up to sixth with 16 wickets from just nine games, at an exceptional economy rate of 6.39.

Purple Cap in IPL 2025: Most wickets

In the T20 format it is not always that the batters dominate while there are times when the bowlers play a big role with their performances. As the shortest format of the game evolved including the Indian Premier League (IPL), bowlers in order to have an edge over the batters have acquired new skills such as slow bouncers, cutters, toe-crushing yorkers and knuckle ball. Over the years, IPL has witnessed many scintillating bowling spells, with bowlers putting their names in the most wickets tally of the tournament. The IPL 2025 Purple Cap-given to the highest wicket-taker is a symbol of bowling supremacy in the league.

The IPL Purple Cap is awarded annually to the leading wicket-taker in a particular seson of the league, celebrating the tournament’s most successful bowler. Introduced in the inaugural season of 2008, the Purple Cap IPL has become a prestigious award, highlighting the importance of bowlers in a format often dominated by big-hitting batsmen. The bowler who takes the most wickets throughout the season wears the Purple Cap on the field, and at the end of the tournament, the highest wicket-taker officially claims the honour.

Over the years, the Purple Cap has been won by some of the best bowlers in the world, from experienced veterans to rising stars. The race for the Purple Cap is always intense, as bowlers compete to outshine each other with their variations, pace and accuracy. With T20 cricket evolving rapidly, the importance of a strong bowling attack has grown, making the Purple Cap a symbol of excellence and consistency in the IPL.

Beyond individual recognition, the IPL Purple Cap winner often plays a crucial role in their team's success. Wicket-taking bowlers can change the course of a match, breaking partnerships and controlling the flow of runs.

Top five wicket-takers in IPL history

1. Yuzvendra Chahal

Yuzvendra Chahal has been a stalwart in the IPL since his debut in 2013. Representing teams like Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals, Chahal's leg-spin has consistently troubled batsmen. In 2024, he became the first bowler to surpass the 200-wicket mark in the IPL. He has the ability to control the game's tempo during the middle overs and get the team crucial breakthroughs. Chahal has claimed 205 wickets in 160 matches at an average of 22.44, with best figures of 5 for 40.

2. Piyush Chawla

Piyush Chawla's IPL journey has been marked by consistency and effectiveness. Playing for franchises such as Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, Chawla has been a reliable wicket-taker. His leg-spin, combined with subtle variations, has made him a valuable asset, especially on subcontinent pitches. He has picked 192 wickets from 192 matches at an average of 26.60.

3. Dwayne Bravo

Dwayne Bravo's flair and charisma have made him a fan favourite in the IPL. Representing teams like Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Lions, Bravo's medium-pace bowling, especially in the death overs, has been crucial. His knack for breaking crucial partnerships and his deceptive slower deliveries have earned him 183 wickets in the league's history, solidifying his place among the IPL's elite bowlers.

4. Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar's ability to swing the ball both ways made him one of the most challenging bowlers to face in the IPL. His stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad has been particularly noteworthy, where he has often provided early breakthroughs and maintained pressure during the death overs. Kumar's precision and control have been key factors in his impressive wicket tally. He has bagged 181 wickets off 176 matches in the IPL.

5. Sunil Narine

Sunil Narine's introduction to the IPL brought a new dimension to spin bowling. His unique action and ability to bowl economically have made him a vital player for the Kolkata Knight Riders. Narine's mystery spin has not only fetched him wickets but also curtailed the scoring rates of opposition teams, making him a dual threat. Narine has taken 180 wickets in the IPL at an average of 25.39, and his best figures are 5 for 19.

Top wicket-takers in IPL 2024

The 2024 IPL season witnessed fierce competition among bowlers vying for the prestigious Purple Cap, awarded to the highest wicket-taker of the season. The top performers were:

1. Harshal Patel: The Purple Cap holder

Harshal Patel emerged as the leading wicket-taker in IPL 2024, clinching the Purple Cap with 24 wickets in 14 matches. His best bowling figures of 3 for 15 highlight his ability to dismantle batting line-ups. Patel's contributions were instrumental in Punjab Kings' campaign in that season.

2. Varun Chakravarthy: Spin sensation

Varun Chakravarthy impressed with his spin bowling, picking 21 wickets in 15 matches for Kolkata Knight Riders. His best figures of 3 for 16 reflect his capability to dominate during crucial phases of the game. Chakravarthy's performances played a big part in KKR's journey to the title.

3. Jasprit Bumrah: Lethal and deadly

Jasprit Bumrah's lethal pace and pinpoint accuracy earned him 20 wickets in 13 matches for Mumbai Indians. His best figures of 5 for 21 underscore his match-winning potential. Bumrah's ability to deliver under pressure has solidified his reputation as one of the premier fast bowlers in the league.

As the cricketing world gears up for IPL 2025, the anticipation surrounding the Purple Cap race is high. Bowlers like Harshal Patel, Varun Chakravarthy and Jasprit Bumrah are expected to continue their stellar performances. Fans and analysts will keenly monitor the IPL 2025 table to see which bowlers lead the wicket charts. The competition for the Purple Cap in IPL 2025 is expected to be fierce, with many bowlers aiming to make their mark.

Stay updated with the IPL 2025 Orange Cap standings on Crickit. Track the leading run-scorers of the season as batters compete to dominate the charts with their big-hitting ability. Get real-time updates on total runs, averages, strike rates and top knocks in the race for the Orange Cap.

Follow IPL 2025 action on Crickit with the latest IPL Match Today, updated IPL Points Table, and top contenders for the IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap in IPL 2025. Stay tuned for all the IPL updates!