IPL 2018: Purple Cap winners over the years
In a batting friendly format like IPL, bowlers have often found the situation tough. However, despite all the odds, the IPL has witnessed some stellar performances by bowlers. The tradition of awarding the Purple Cap to the leading wicket-taker was started in 2008 and 5 Indians and an equal number of foreign-stars have bagged the 10 Caps. In this article, we relive those moments.
The Asian neighbourhood factor
In 2008, Pakistan's Sohail Tanvir became the first winner of the Purple Cap. His unorthodox bowling action was a nightmare for batsmen as the Rajasthan Royals man picked 22 wickets. His 6/14 against CSK is still the best figures in IPL. Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga, who bowls with a sling action, won the award in 2011 with 28 wickets for Mumbai Indians.
Left-arm delights for Deccan Chargers
The franchise Deccan Chargers existed for five seasons up till 2012 in the IPL, before being terminated. Under new owners, the team was renamed Sunrisers Hyderabad. In 2009, they won the IPL title as former left-arm pacer RP Singh ended as the Purple Cap winner with 23 wickets in South Africa. In 2010, left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha came out on top with 21 wickets.
West Indian Bravo does the double punch
If West Indian Chris Gayle won two IPL Orange Caps, his former colleague Dwayne Bravo did not stay behind. Bravo had two exceptional seasons where he reached great heights picking wickets aplenty. In 2013, Bravo was electrifying after picking 32 wickets for CSK. He followed it up with in 2015 with 26 scalps. Interestingly, in both seasons CSK reached the finals and lost.
Bhuvi scripts successive success stories
This Indian bowler has gone on to excel in every format in recent years and has made the T20s his special forte. Bhuvi has been Sunrisers Hyderabad's most influential player alongside opening batsman David Warner as both have won two Caps each. Bhuvi won the Purple Cap in 2016 and followed it up with another in 2017 with 23 and 26 wickets respectively.
Morne Morkel and Mohit Sharma other Purple Cap winners
South African pacer Morkel had a prolific season in 2012 after helping Delhi Daredevils finish top of the IPL table in the league matches. Morkel picked a bagful of wickets (25) to become the only Proteas player to ever win a Cap in IPL. Meanwhile in 2014, young rising bowler Mohit Sharma excelled for CSK to win the award with 23 wickets in total.
Tanvir's 2008 heroics our pick of Purple Cap holders
The manner in which he thrived in his uniqueness and out of box bowling style, Tanvir was a gem. RR's inaugural edition title win under Shane Warne was massive. Tanvir's 22 wickets laid the foundation of RR's glory.
