Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 is all set to kick-off from March 26. The matches in the league stage will be played in four venues across Mumbai and Pune. (Wankhede Stadium, Brabourne Stadium, DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai, and MCA International Stadium in Pune)
Just like every season, IPL 2022 also features some world-class bowlers who are all set to rattle the batters with their pace or spin. The Purple Cap is presented in every season to the leading wicket-taker.
Only Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Dwayne Bravo have won the Purple Cap twice, in fourteen years of the league so far. Harshal Patel was the leading wicket-taker in IPL 2021,
Let’s take a look at the top 5 contenders for the purple cap this time, in IPL 2022:
#5 Jasprit Bumrah
In the last IPL season, Bumrah picked 21 wickets in 14 games at an economy of 7.45. Overall, the 28-year old has 130 IPL scalps under his belt in 106 matches at an economy rate of 7.42.
Bumrah will lead MI’s bowling attack in the upcoming season, and will be aiming for his maiden purple cap.
#4 Harshal Patel
Popularly known as ‘Purple Patel’ since the last IPL season, Harshal will again be a strong contender to take the most wickets, in IPL 2022. In 15 matches last season, Harshal picked 32 wickets and equalled Dwayne Bravo’s record for the most scalps in a single season.
RCB management has again showed faith in him by signing him for a whopping 10.75 crores. He would look to again make an impact, under the leadership of new skipper Faf du Plessis.
#3 Avesh Khan
Avesh was the second-highest wicket taker in IPL 2021. He picked 24 wickets in 16 matches at an economy rate of 7.38. With Lucknow Supergiants, the youngster would look to go one step further and grab the purple cap in the upcoming season.
He has been part of the India setup in the last couple of months which will boost his confidence and the youngster will look to better his performance from last season.
#2 Kagiso Rabada
Last season was a slightly lacklustre one for the Proteas pacer. He picked 15 wickets in 15 games at an economy of 8.14. With a new team in Punjab Kings this time, Rabada would like to come back with a bang in the cash-rich league.
It’s worth noting that Rabada had won the purple cap in IPL 2020 with 30 wickets to his name.
#1 Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal, acquired by Rajasthan Royals, is one of those spinners who is known for having a ‘big heart’. In other words, the leggie isn’t scared to go for runs in his quest for wickets.
This is an essential quality, especially considering the fact that T20 cricket is a batter-friendly format. In the UAE leg of IPL 2021, Chahal came into his own picking 14 wickets in 8 matches at an economy of 6.13.
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