The ongoing Indian Premier League is set to conclude on May 28. This year’s IPL has been phenomenal for Indian players as the leading run-scorers and wicket-takers are from India. On the other hand, players like Ishant Sharma, Amit Mishra and Piyush Chawla revived their careers and came back to glory in their twilight.
This has proved that age is just a number and skill matters most in the Indian Premier League. A player of age 42 years can rock on the biggest stage with his Amazing bowling or batting skills and Pravin Tambe is one of the biggest examples of this. So today, in this article, we will discuss the top 3 bowlers who didn’t bother to age and clinched the highest wickets in a single IPL season to climb Purple Cap.
3. Dwayne Bravo (31 years 7 months 17 days)
Dwayne Bravo’s outstanding performance in the IPL 2015 earned him the coveted Purple Cap, which is presented to the tournament’s top wicket-taker. Bravo, who played for the Chennai Super Kings, demonstrated his effectiveness as a wicket-taking monster throughout the season. He frequently plagued batsmen with his deceptive variations and great control, emerging as the most successful bowler.
Bravo took 26 wickets in 16 matches, winning the Purple Cap with an amazing average of 16.61. His best performance, 4 for 22 against the Mumbai Indians, demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure. The West Indian all-rounder’s economy rate of 8.14 demonstrated his ability to limit opposition batsmen. This was the second time when Bravo clinched the purple cap. However, at that time, he was 31 years 7 months 17 days old becoming the third oldest player to clinch the prestigious award.
2. Yuzvendra Chahal (31 years 10 months and 6 days)
Yuzvendra Chahal’s outstanding bowling ability earned him the coveted Purple Cap in the IPL 2022. Chahal had an outstanding campaign, capturing 27 wickets in 17 matches. His constant performance made an indelible mark on the competition.
Chahal’s economy rate of 7.75 demonstrated excellent control over his bowling, placing immense pressure on the opposing batsmen. Chahal’s average of 19.52 indicated his ability as a wicket-taker. He generated constant breakthroughs for his team, frequently changing the match in their favor. Notably, in 2022, when Chahal clinched the prestigious award, he was 31 years 10 months and 6 days old and became the second oldest to clinch the purple cap.
1. Imran Tahir (40 years 1 month 16 days)
Imran Tahir delivered an outstanding performance in the 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL), collecting the coveted “Purple Cap” for being the tournament’s best wicket-taker. Tahir, a South African leg-spinner for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), grabbed 26 wickets in 17 matches at an average of 16.57 and an exceptional economy rate of 6.69.
Throughout the competition, his deft variations and unrelenting aggression caused havoc for batsmen. Tahir’s purple cap-winning stint featured a stunning best of 4/12, earning key breakthroughs for his team. During the season, he also had two four-wicket hauls, establishing himself as a valuable member of CSK’s bowling attack.
Imran Tahir’s consistency, precision, and ability to outwit batters with his spin earned him the Purple Cap in IPL 2019, further confirming his reputation. He earned the prestigious award at the age of 40 years 1 month 16 days in 2019 to become the oldest player to do so.