IPL 2025 Purple Cap Race: Shardul Thakur Leads the Pack

Chirag pic - Friday, Mar 28, 2025
Last Updated on Mar 28, 2025 07:30 AM

Introduction

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season is in full swing, and the competition for the prestigious Purple Cap is heating up. The Purple Cap is awarded to the bowler who takes the most wickets during the tournament, making it one of the most sought-after accolades for bowlers. As the league progresses, multiple players are in contention for this honor, with Shardul Thakur of Lucknow Super Giants currently leading the charts. However, with several matches left to play, the race is far from over.

Current Purple Cap Standings

As of March 28, 2025, Shardul Thakur has emerged as the leading wicket-taker with six wickets in two matches. His performance has been a revelation, particularly since he was not initially picked in the IPL 2025 auction. Later, he was drafted as a replacement for Mohsin Khan and has made an immediate impact with a match-winning four-wicket haul against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Here’s a look at the current top five bowlers in the Purple Cap standings:

Rank Player Team Matches Wickets Best Bowling Average Economy Rate
1 Shardul Thakur Lucknow Super Giants 2 6 4/34 9.50 7.00
2 Noor Ahmad Chennai Super Kings 1 4 4/18 4.50 4.50
3 Khaleel Ahmed Chennai Super Kings 1 3 3/29 9.66 7.25
4 Krunal Pandya Royal Challengers Bengaluru 1 3 3/29 9.66 7.25
5 Vignesh Puthur Mumbai Indians 1 3 3/32 10.66 8.00

Note: These rankings may change as more matches take place.

Shardul Thakur’s Journey to the Top

Thakur’s success this season is particularly impressive given his initial exclusion from the IPL 2025 auction picks. However, injuries in the Lucknow Super Giants camp opened up an opportunity for him, and he has grabbed it with both hands. His ability to swing the ball, coupled with his deceptive variations, has troubled many top-order batsmen. If he continues in this rich vein of form, he has a strong chance of finishing the season as the leading wicket-taker.

Other Contenders for the Purple Cap

While Thakur leads the charts for now, several bowlers are in contention to overtake him as the season progresses.

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