Top 5 contenders for the Purple cap in IPL 2021
IPL is known as a fast-paced tournament with sixes flying around in every match. The nailbiting finish in many important matches has led the game to be dominated by batsmen. Even though the bowlers don’t get as much limelight as the batsmen, they have proven to be equally good match-winners as the men with the bat. So, here at Piccle, we thought to bring you the list of Top 5 contenders for the Purple Cap in IPL 2021.
In today’s world watching cricket isn’t just about the thrill and excitement of the game but a lot of fans play fantasy cricket leagues. So we have also included a few tips on how these bowlers can help in building your team irrespective of which fantasy cricket app you use. You may also read Best fantasy cricket apps in India.
What is the purple cap in IPL?
A purple cap is awarded to the bowler who has claimed the most number of wickets in a particular IPL season. It is an award that passes on from one bowler to another in the next season. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the only player who has retained the purple cap in consecutive seasons. As a matter of fact, Dwayne Bravo of Chennai Super Kings (2013 and 2015) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar of Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (2016 and 2017) are the only players who have won the Purple Cap twice.
A batsman’s batting is as good as the margin of error in a bowler’s bowling and a bowler’s chances of taking a wicket are as good as the margin of error in the batsman’s bowling. Essentially meaning that both batsmen and bowlers have the capability to turn the game in their team’s favor with a disciplined performance. Here we go with the list of bowlers who are going to be the top performers in IPL 2021
#1 Kagiso Rabada
Kagiso Rabada is one of the fastest rising stars in the South African team and quite deservingly so. He is the purple cap winner of IPL 2020 season where he claimed 30 wickets. He was one of the driving forces behind Delhi Capital’s march to the final of IPL 2020. What makes Kasigo really dangerous is his speed as he bowls consistently in the 140-150kmph range.
With an average of 18.09 and four 4-wicket hauls, he rules the roost. If you are a fantasy cricket league player then Kasigo is a must for your team. He’s one of those players where you don’t look at the cost because whatever is the costs he’s going to deliver a lot more than that.
#2 Rashid Khan
This self-made man is simply unstoppable. He braved the challenges in war-torn Afghanistan for his love of cricket. During his debut in IPL 2017, he forced everyone to take note of him as he garnered 21 wickets. He’s never seen back and today he’s one of the most sought-after players in IPL.
Rashid Khan is the most economical bowler in the IPL ever with a 6.24 economy rate. He has managed a strike rate of 20.49 even after 62 innings and that’s very impressive by any standards. He’s a consistent wicket-taker and therefore deserves to be on any fantasy league team.
#3 Jasprit Bumrah
If it was any indication for things to follow, Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Virat Kohli as his debut wicket, he has exceeded everyone’s expectations. The lead pacer of India is a master of yorkers. He was only second to Kagiso Rabada in IPL 2020 in the tally of most wickets, just 3 wickets short of Kagiso.
When a player like Bumrah plays for a team like Mumbai Indians, you are sure that he will be playing all the matches in IPL 2021 and therefore he’s another bowler you can’t miss in your squad.
#4 – Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra has a very impressive record with the ball in the T20 format as well as in the IPL.
| Bowling | Mat | Balls | Runs | WKTS | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 99 | 2,130 | 2,723 | 121 | 4/25 | 22.50 | 7.67 | 17.60 | 2 | 0 |
| 2020 | 15 | 343 | 405 | 21 | 3/18 | 19.28 | 7.08 | 16.33 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 14 | 296 | 386 | 18 | 4/38 | 21.44 | 7.82 | 16.44 | 1 | 0 |
| 2018 | 14 | 300 | 363 | 12 | 2/22 | 30.25 | 7.26 | 25.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 13 | 261 | 333 | 14 | 3/16 | 23.78 | 7.65 | 18.64 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 13 | 295 | 401 | 21 | 4/25 | 19.09 | 8.15 | 14.04 | 1 | 0 |
| 2015 | 15 | 281 | 415 | 23 | 3/40 | 18.04 | 8.86 | 12.21 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 14 | 330 | 386 | 12 | 2/17 | 32.16 | 7.01 | 27.50 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | 1 | 24 | 34 | 0 | 0/34 | – | 8.50 | – | 0 | 0 |
Spinners have always been underrated in T20 matches. But make no mistake when it comes to Yuzvendra Chahal. The RCB leg-spinner has been the top wicket-taker for his team. He has the second-best wicket taking average (22.5) amongst the Top 10 wicket-takers tally and was in the Top 5 wicket-takers in IPL 2020. The only reason he isn’t in the Top 3 tally of bowlers in IPL is that he has played fewer matches/innnings than the players above him.
The wrist spinner has struggled a little with his form but he seems all good for spinning a U-turn now. What makes him really valuable is his ability to turn a game around and he has proven to be a deadly force on Indian pitches. Certainly a strong contender for the Purple Cap in IPL 2021.