IPL 2018: Top contenders for the Purple Cap
As the 2018 IPL season is fast approaching, the cricketing audience gets ready to be blown away by performances of world's best T20 players. With fresh blood coming in for every edition, there is renewed competition for the two most coveted prizes of the tournament, Orange Cap and the Purple Cap. Let's take a look at the top contenders for upcoming season's Purple Cap.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar: The key to SRH's success in recent years
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, a back-to-back Purple Cap winner of the last two IPL seasons, is an obvious favorite to win this year's prize. He was instrumental in Sunrisers Hyderabad's 2016 title-winning run. Retained by Hyderabad for Rs. 8.5 cr, Kumar had picked up 26 wickets last season and holds an IPL career economy of 7.08. Bhuvi is one the most consistent limited-overs bowlers for India.
Rashid Khan: The new spin king
The new bowling king of shorter formats, Rashid Khan, cannot be overlooked for this list. The 19-year-old is yet another weapon in SRH's arsenal. Rashid was reclaimed for Rs. 9 cr. With an IPL economy of 6.62, the leg spinner has most T20 wickets (80) in 2017. With 18 scalps, he was also the joint highest wicket-taker in the latest season of BBL.
Dwayne Bravo: The skillful all-rounder
Dwayne Bravo, who missed the last IPL due to hamstring, is set to make a return. Bravo has won Purple Cap twice (2013, 2015). He would be playing for Chennai Super Kings, which is also making their IPL comeback. He was bought by them for Rs. 6.4 Cr. He and Rashid were the joint highest wicket-takers in recent edition of Big Bash League.
Jaydev Unadkat: New kid on the block
Jaydev Unadkat has raised the expectations as he became the second most expensive player in 2018 IPL auction. The left-arm bowler was bought by the returning franchise, Rajasthan Royals at Rs. 11.5 Cr. He had a great last season in IPL playing for Pune, where he took 24 wickets, ending as the second highest wicket taker.
Jasprit Bumrah: The death-over specialist
Jasprit Bumrah arguably is the best death-overs bowler in the world. It wasn't surprising that Mumbai Indians retained Bumrah, who contributed to their IPL victory in 2017, having picked up 20 wickets from 16 matches. The 24-year-old has picked up a total 46 wickets in his IPL career and is among the top 5 Purple Cap contenders for 2018.
