The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a cricketing extravaganza that captivates millions of fans worldwide every year. Amidst the glitz and glamour of this T20 tournament, one prestigious individual accolade stands out – the Purple Cap. Awarded to the leading wicket-taker of the season, the Purple Cap is a symbol of bowling excellence and dominance in the fiercely competitive IPL arena.

Prominent bowlers as Purple Cap holders

Throughout the tournament’s history, an elite cohort of bowlers has risen to the occasion, showcasing their brilliance with the ball and etching their names in IPL folklore as proud recipients of the Purple Cap. These formidable artisans of pace and spin have left an indelible mark on the league, mesmerizing fans with their skillful performances and leading their teams to victory with their unwavering prowess.

From legendary figures such as Lasith Malinga, who illuminated the IPL with his exceptional bowling, to reliable performers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Dwayne Bravo, who have consistently topped the wicket-taking charts, every recipient of the Purple Cap has made a lasting impact on the tournament.

Notably, Bhuvneshwar and Bravo are the only players to win the Purple Cap twice with Bhuvi being the alone to win in back-to-back seasons. While Bravo captured the prestigious award in 2013 and 2015, the veteran Indian pacer bagged it in 2016 and 2017 editions.

However, for every recipient who proudly dons this coveted cap, there exists a cohort of skilled bowlers who have come tantalizingly close but couldn’t clinch the title. These unsung heroes, despite their commendable performances, have fallen short in the race for the Purple Cap, contributing significantly to their teams but often missing out on individual glory. Let’s delve into the tales of these remarkable bowlers who couldn’t quite grasp the elusive Purple Cap despite their relentless efforts and stellar displays on the cricketing stage of the IPL.

10 players who have made their mark on IPL history without claiming the Purple Cap:

10) Sandeep Sharma (KXIP/PBKS/RR/SRH)

Sandeep Sharma, known for his deceptive swing bowling, has been a consistent performer for various IPL franchises including Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), Rajasthan Royals, and Sunrisers Hyderabad. With his ability to swing the ball both ways at a nagging length, Sandeep has troubled many top-order batters in the tournament, making crucial breakthroughs for his teams in crucial moments. Sandeep has so far bagged 124 wickets from 116 games but couldn’t win the Purple Cap.

9) Umesh Yadav (DC/KKR/RCB)

Umesh Yadav, with his raw pace and ability to extract bounce from any surface, has been a key asset for Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. His fiery spells have often dismantled opposition batting line-ups, providing vital breakthroughs for his teams. Umesh’s aggressive bowling style and knack for picking up wickets make him a formidable force in the IPL. The right-arm pacer has picked up 136 scalps in 141 games. In the 2024 season, Umesh will play for Gujarat Titans.

8) Rashid Khan (GT/SRH)

Rashid Khan, hailing from Afghanistan, has made a colossal impact in the IPL with his mesmerizing leg-spin. Whether it’s for Sunrisers Hyderabad or Gujarat Titans, Rashid has bamboozled batters with his variations, accuracy, and impeccable control. His ability to bowl tight overs in the middle and take crucial wickets at crucial junctures has earned him a reputation as one of the finest spinners in the tournament. The ace spinner has 139 wickets to his name in 109 matches but hasn’t yet won the prestigious Purple Cap.

7) Jasprit Bumrah (MI)

Jasprit Bumrah, the spearhead of Mumbai Indians’ bowling attack, is renowned for his lethal yorkers, deceptive slower balls, and impeccable accuracy. His unorthodox action and ability to bowl in any situation make him a nightmare for batters in the death overs. Bumrah’s knack for delivering under pressure and picking up wickets consistently has cemented his status as one of the premier fast bowlers in the IPL. The yorker specialist has taken 145 scalps from 120 games but never topped the wicket-takers charts in a single season of IPL.

6) Harbhajan Singh (CSK/KKR/MI)

Harbhajan Singh, the veteran off-spinner, has plied his trade for Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Mumbai Indians with great success. Known for his guile and experience, Harbhajan has bamboozled batters with his clever variations and astute bowling intelligence. His ability to contain runs in the middle overs and pick up crucial wickets has been instrumental in his team’s success over the years. Bhajji has 150 wickets to his credit from 163 matches in the cash-rich league.

5) Ravindra Jadeja (CSK/GL/Kochi/RR)

Ravindra Jadeja, popularly known as ‘Sir Jadeja,’ has been a vital asset for Chennai Super Kings and has played for other teams such as Gujarat Lions, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, and Rajasthan Royals. With his dynamic all-round skills, Jadeja has contributed significantly with both bat and ball. His left-arm spin bowling, coupled with his electric fielding and explosive batting, has made him a valuable asset in the IPL. Jaddu has played 226 games in IPL and has taken 152 wickets but never won the Purple Cap.

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4) Sunil Narine (KKR)

Sunil Narine, the mystery spinner from West Indies, has been a linchpin of Kolkata Knight Riders’ bowling attack. Renowned for his unorthodox action and ability to deceive batters with his variations, Narine has been a consistent wicket-taker for KKR. His economical bowling in the powerplay and knack for breaking partnerships make him a formidable force in the IPL. The mystery spinner has taken 163 wickets in 162 games.

3) Ravichandran Ashwin (CSK/DC/KXIP/RPS/RR)

Ravichandran Ashwin, a master tactician and off-spin exponent, has represented Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), Rising Pune Supergiant, and Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. With his repertoire of variations and astute cricketing brain, Ashwin has outfoxed many top-order batters in the tournament. His ability to control the game in the middle overs and pick up crucial wickets has been invaluable for his teams. In 197 games, Ashwin took 171 scalps but never won the Purple Cap.

2) Amit Mishra (DC/LSG/SRH)

Amit Mishra, the crafty leg-spinner, has plied his trade for Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants, and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. Known for his flighted deliveries and ability to deceive batters with his variations, Mishra has been a consistent performer in the tournament. His knack for picking up crucial wickets in pressure situations and containing the run flow in the middle overs has made him a valuable asset for his teams. In 161 matches, the spin legend took 173 wickets.

1) Piyush Chawla (CSK/KKR/KXIP/MI)

Piyush Chawla, the seasoned leg-spinner, has been a stalwart for Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), and Mumbai Indians in the IPL. With his crafty leg-spin and clever variations, Chawla has troubled many top-order batters in the tournament. His ability to pick up wickets consistently and provide crucial breakthroughs for his teams has been instrumental in his success in the IPL. With 179 scalps in 181 games, Chawla is the all-time third-highest wicket-taker in IPL history. Despite that he never won the prestigious Purple Cap in his illustrious IPL career.

Also READ: Top 10 players who never won an Orange Cap in the Indian Premier League (IPL)

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