It was pretty sad news for not just cricket fans, but for all sports fans when the BCCI decided to suspend the 2021 edition of the IPL tournament. The IPL was something that brought people together and brought joy on everyone’s faces, but nevertheless, I am not here to speak whether their decision is right or wrong. In order to thank BCCI for all their efforts, and also for their decision to create this wonderful and entertaining tournament, today, we will be looking at the previous orange cap and purple cap holders of the tournament.
Quick info for all those people who do not know what an orange cap or a purple cap is, an orange cap is given to the batsmen with the highest runs in the tournament, and the purple cap is given to the bowler with the most wickets. They do not have to be from the winning side but should be the leading run-scorer or wicket-taker. So let’s put all our stress and worry behind, and try to remember some of the best moments in the IPL.
The Orange and Purple cap winners of IPL
2008 IPL: Shaun Marsh and Sohail Tanvir:
In the inaugural edition of the tournament, Shaun Marsh took home the orange cap and Sohail Tanvir took home the purple cap. We saw some really strong performances from batsmen and bowlers alike, and for them to emerge as the leading run-scorer and wicket-taker is absolutely insane.
The Australian batsman scored an impressive 616 runs that year, which included 1 century an
d 5 half-centuries. Marsh was playing for the Kings XI Punjab and he was absolutely unstoppable with the bat. In fact, there is almost a 100 run difference between him and the second player. Marsh had a high score of 115.
Sohail Tanvir, the Pakistani speedster, took 22 wickets and played an important role for the Rajasthan Royals, and managed to guide them to their very first trophy. Sohail had an average of 11.2 and an economy rate of 6.46, his best bowling figure was 6/14 which is absolutely mental when you think about the type of batsmen he was facing. Sohail went on top play another season for Rajasthan before calling it quits.
2009 IPL: Matthew Hayden and Rudra Pratap Singh:
The second Aussie to take home this record, Hayden was an integral part of CSK’s lineup and played many important knocks. He scored 582 runs in 12 matches, which included 5 half-centuries. Mathew had a strike rate of 144.81 and none of the other players even came close to this legend. Mathew had a high score of 89. He went on to play an additional season for CSK before retiring.
The purple cap was taken by RP Singh, who took an impressive 23 wickets in 16 matches. Just like Sohail Tanvir, RP Singh also played a huge role in Deccan Charger’s title-winning charge. RP Singh had an average of 18.13 and his best bowling figure was 4/22.
2010 IPL: Sachin Tendulkar and Pragyan Ojha:
The first Indian batsman to take home this record, the “God of cricket” Sachin Tendulkar played absolutely brilliant and should have topped if the brilliant tournament with the trophy, but they lost to CSK in the finals. Sachin scored an impressive 618 runs in 15 matches. He smashed 5 half-centuries and had a high score of 89 not out. Sachin was also the captain of the Mumbai Indians.
Deccan Chargers bowler, Pragyan Ojhs too home the purple cap. He took 21 wickets in 16 matches with an average of 20,42 and an economy are of 7.59. His best bowling figure was 3/26.
2011 IPL: Chris Gayle and Lasith Malinga:
We all knew Chris Gayle would be there on the list, Chris Gayle not being on this list is almost impossible. RCB had a pretty strong tournament, they finished runner-up and two of their batsmen finished in the top 5 of the players with the most runs. Gayle scored 608 runs in 12 matches with a high score of 107. He hit 2 centuries and 3 half-centuries, classic Chris Gayle.
Lasith Malinga, the tournament-leading wicket-taker, took 28 wickets that season, insane! He had an economy of 5.95 and an average of 13.39. His best bowling figure was 5/13. As mentioned Malinga is the tournament’s leading wicket-taker.
2012 IPL: Chirs Gayle and Morne Morkel:
Another Chris Gayle special, this time he increased the standards, he scored 733 runs in just 14 matches. He hit 1 century and 7 half-centuries. He also had a high score of 128 not out and had a strike rate of 160.74.
The Delhi Daredevils bowler, Morne Morkel to home the purple cap. He took 25 wickets in 16 matches and had an average of 18.12 with the best bowling figure of 4/20. Morkel went on to play many more important games, similar to Chris Gayle.
2013 IPL: Micahel Hussey and Dwayne Bravo:
The first time, two players from the same team have taken home both the records. Micheal Hussey scored a sensational 733 runs in just 17 matches, which included 6 half-centuries, and had a high score of 95.
Dwayne Bravo, however, surprised everyone. He took 32 wickets, which is an insane amount. He had an average of 15.53 and his best bowling figure was 4/42. he holds the record for the most wickets taken in a single season.
2014 IPL: Robin Uthappa and Mohit Sharma:
Uthappa finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with an impressive 660 runs. He hit 5 half-centuries and played a huge role in KKR’S title victory.
Mohit Sharma, the CSK speedster took home the purple cap. He managed to take 23 wickets in 16 games and had an average of 19.56. His best bowling figure was 4/14.
2015 IPL: David Warner and Dwayne Bravo:
Let me warn you, this is not the last time you will be seeing David Warner’s name on this list. Warner scored an impressive 562 runs in 14 matches and hit 7 half-centuries. He also had a high score of 91.
Dwayne Bravo again repeated his 2013 heroics and finished as the tournament leading wicket-taker, with 26 wickets in 17 matches. He could not use his powers in the final but CSK had a strong season and that is something to be happy about.
2016 IPL: Virat Kohli and Bhuvneshwar Kumar:
2016 IPL, was truly Virat Kohli’s and if he had managed to win the final, it would have been a perfect cherry on top. The man didn’t play a single wrong shot. He scored an insane 973 runs in 16 matches, which included 4 centuries and 7 half-centuries. He holds the record for the most runs scored in a single season of the UIPL, and I doubt anyone will ever come close to this record. He had a high score of 113.
On the other side, Bhuvneshawar Kumar took home the purple cap. Because of his heroics, SRH was able to lift the trophy. He took 23 wickets in 17 games and played a very big role in the team’s title-winning charge.
2017 IPL: David Warner and Bhuvneshawar Kumar:
The second time, two players from the same team have won the record. Warner scored 641 runs in 14 matches which included 1 century and 5 half-centuries.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar on the other hand took 26 wickets in just 14 matches. He had an economy rate of 7.05 and was truly impressed with the ball.
2018 IPL: Kane Williamson and Andrew Tye:
Williamson took home the orange cap this season, giving Warner a rest. He scored 735 runs in 17 matches and was instrumental in SRH reaching the final. He had 8 half-centuries and had a top score of 84.
Andrew Tye on the other hand took 24 wickets in 14 matches. He had the best bowling figure of 4/16 and exceeded all expectations.
2019 IPL: David Warner and Imran Tahir:
You might have all guessed it, Warner does hold the record for most orange cap victories in the IPL. He was again very instrumental with the bat, scoring 692 runs in just 12 matches which included 1 century and 8 half-centuries. He had a high-score 100 not out.
Imran Tahir, the South-African spinner was the tournament leading wicket-taker. He took 26 wickets in just 17 matches and had the best bowling figure of 4/12.
2020 IPL: KL Rahul and Kagiso Rabada:
KL Rahul was the winner of the orange cap in the previous edition of the tournament. KL had a pretty strong start this season as well, but. In the 2020 edition of the tournament, he scored 670 runs with a high score of 132 not out.
Kagiso Rabada took home the purple cap. He managed to take 17 wickets and played a huge role in DC reaching the final. He had the best bowling figure of 4/24.
If this year’s tournament had not got suspended, who do you think would have finished as the top-scored and leading wicket-taker? My bet was on Dhawan and Harshal Patel.
