With IPL 2025 set to kick off on March 22, the race for the Purple Cap—awarded to the tournament’s highest wicket-taker—promises to be intense. Here are 10 bowlers who could dominate the wicket charts this season:
1. Mohammed Shami: Sunrisers Hyderabad
The Indian pacer who has taken 127 wickets in IPL has already the purple cap once in 2023 as he took 28 wickets while playing for Gujarat Titans. Shami will once again try to take the maximum number of wickets in the tournament.
2. Arshdeep Singh: Punjab Kings
The 26-year old left arm pacer who has taken 76 wickets can be a top contender for winning this year’s purple cap. The pacer also had a crucial contribution in India’s T20I World Cup triumph.
3. Trent Boult: Mumbai Indians
The Kiwi pacer who is once again back in the Mumbai franchise, will play a crucial role especially in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. Boult, famous for taking wickets early in the powerplay, can also be a top contender in the purple cap race.
4. Ravi Bishnoi: Lucknow SuperGiants
The right-arm spinner has bowled tight spells in the past especially in the middle overs making him one of the probable contenders of purple cap.
5. Matheesha Pathirana: Chennai Super Kings
The 22-year old hailing from Sri Lanka has a familiar bowling action as that of legendary Lasith Malinga. He has already taken 30 wickets in IPL and can play an integral role in Chennai’s overall performance throughout the season.
6. Axar Patel: Delhi Capitals
The left-arm spinner who has already played an important role in India’s T20I World Cup and Champions Trophy win can have an upper hand in winning this year’s purple cap with his remarkable bowling.
7. Rashid Khan: Gujarat Titans
The Afghani spin maestro playing for Gujarat holds the ability to lower the run-rate during middle overs and break partnerships whenever required. Despite having taken 161 wickets in IPL, he is yet to win a purple cap. Maybe this year he can add this achievement to his IPL career.
8. Kagiso Rabada: Gujarat Titans
Rabada has already won the purple cap back in 2020 while he was part of Delhi Capitals and can repeat his heroics once again while playing for the Titans.
9. Yuzvendra Chahal: Punjab Kings
Chahal, who holds the record for the most number of wickets taken by any bowler in IPL(205), is yet to win his first purple cap in IPL. This year while playing for Punjab Kings he will look to attain this feat.
10. Harshit Rana: Kolkata Knight Riders
Rana played an important part in KKR’s triumph last year. This year also he will have a crucial role to play and can be a top contender in the purple cap race.
