There is a famous saying in cricket that states, “Batsmen win you games, it’s the bowlers who win you tournaments.” IPL is no different. This explains the fact that only a single orange cap holder has been part of an IPL winning side but bowlers on the other hand have had quite a larger impact. This article tells you about Top 5 Bowlers With Most Wickets In A Single Season.
IPL rewards the bowlers who grab the most number of wickets with a purple cap and a cash prize of INR 10 lakhs. There have been quite a few special bowlers in the IPL over the years. They have run the show for their teams more often than not.
Let’s look at Top 5 bowlers with the most wickets in a single season:
#5 Jasprit Bumrah (27 wickets-IPL 2020)
Jasprit Bumrah is the Mumbai Indians’ undisputed leader of the attack. He is arguable the best pacer in the IPL currently. His death bowling prowess makes him a deadly weapon. But in IPL 2020 Bumrah operated at another level. He bowled with the new ball, he bowled in the middle-overs and picked up wickets whenever the team needed him. His toe-crushing Yorker to Shikhar Dhawan in the first qualifier effectively finished the game right there. Bumrah had a stupendous IPL 2020. He picked up 27 wickets in 15 games at an average of 14.96. His economy rate (6.73) and his strike rate (13.3) were nothing short of exceptional.
#4 James Faulkner (28 wickets-IPL 2013)
James Faulkner played an instrumental role in Rajasthan Royals’ success in 2013. His back of the hand slower balls completely outfoxed the batsmen at the slog overs. Faulkner picked up a fifer against Sunrisers Hyderabad. He was one of the most difficult bowlers to get away with that season. He ended up picking 28 wickets in 16 games. Faulkner could have won the purple cap with such numbers but IPL 2013 saw a bowler making history. Hence he missed out on grabbing the purple cap that year.
#3 Lasith Malinga (28 wickets-IPL 2011)
Lasith Malinga arguably is the greatest bowler in IPL history. He is the leading wicket-taker in the IPL with 170 wickets to his name. The fact that Malinga has just played 9 IPL seasons makes his numbers look unreal. Malinga’s economy rate of 7.14 is flat-out outstanding. His strike rate of 16.62 is sensational. He led MI’s charge in IPL 2011 where he was literally unplayable. Malinga grabbed 28 wickets in IPL 2011 at an average of 13.39. His economy rate (5.95) and strike rate (13.50) that season was otherworldly. Malinga was the rightful winner of the purple cap that year.
#2 Kagiso Rabada (30 wickets-IPL 2020)
Kagiso Rabada has been a standout bowler for Delhi in the last 4 years. He has been a fantastic wicket-taking option. Rabada has picked up 69 wickets in 42 games meaning more than 1.5 wickets per game. He was absolutely sensational in 2020 wherein he picked up 30 wickets in 17 games. His strike rate of 13.13 set him apart last year. Had Rabada played the entire IPL season in 2019 he would have ended up being the highest wicket-taker that season too. Rabada had 25 scalps in just 12 games in IPL 2019. He was the runaway winner of the purple cap in IPL 2020.
#1 Dwayne Bravo (32 wickets-IPL 2013)
Dwayne Bravo still holds the record for picking up the most wickets in a single IPL season. He was on fire in IPL 2013. Bravo became the first bowler to cross the 30 wicket mark in the IPL. Bravo’s dream run helped CSK sail into the finals in 2013. He picked up 32 wickets at an unimaginable strike rate of 11.71. Bravo averaged just 15.53 picking up those wickets. 7 seasons have passed yet no one has managed to break this record.
