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The Indian Premier League is all set to begin on the 9th of April, this year, the 14th edition of the tournament. In these pandemic-induced times, where all sports events are uncertain. The start of the T20 event will bring much relief to the fans and excitement to their homes. As players make their way to respective franchise bubbles, the IPL management has taken many precautionary measures to make sure the teams have every chance to fight it out for the IPL 2021 Trophy.

The purple cap is the most prestigious award in the IPL tournament, with it being awarded to the most successful bowler with the most amount of wickets in the tournament. With the level of the competition rising every year, all bowlers will be gunning for the top place for the ultimate bragging right and prove their credentials. With the T20 World Cup in mind, this is also a very good time to accumulate experience in the Indian pitches.

Today we take a look at the top bowlers in the competition with the most potential to stake claim to the purple cap.

Jasprit Bumrah (Mumbai Indians) 

The Indian pacer is effective in all formats of the game-breaking every stereotype of a fast bowler.  With his pace and variations, the 27-year-old is a nightmare for the opposition batsman. The fast bowler had his best year in his IPL career in the last edition of the tournament, as he took a staggering 27 wickets in 15 matches, bowling at a very low economy of 6.73.

Jasprit Bumrah Mumbai Indians IPL
Jasprit Bumrah (Mumbai Indians)

He was behind only Kagiso Rabada in terms of leading wicket-takers in the tournament. Due to his unique bowling style, batsmen really find it hard to play the bowler and there is no doubt of the mastery the bowler professes of the cricket ball. Being among the top 10 wicket-takers in the IPL since 2016 and narrowly missing the top spot last year. Bumrah will be looking to break his jinx and claim the purple cap this year.

Rashid Khan (Sunrisers Hyderabad) 

The Afghan player has been magnificent and been wreaking havoc in the shorter format of the game The spin bowler has garnered plaudits from all corners of the game with his bowling exploits. Although not a quick turner of the ball, he puts the batsman under pressure by bowling quickly through the air. Having been retained every year, the fans can once again see him work his magic on the Indian pitches.

Rashid Khan Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL
Rashid Khan (Sunrisers Hyderabad) 

Last year the Afghani bowler took 20 wickets from 16 matches at a very low economy of 5.37 in a batsman-friendly game, including his best figures of 3 wickets for 7 runs. With his ability to trouble any opposition batsman he is one of the standout performers of the T20 format and will be a crucial element to the Hyderabad side. Once again he will be looking to make his mark in the grandest T20 league by throwing his name in the ring for the purple cap. 

Jhye Richardson (Punjab Kings)

An Aussie pace bowler who can repeatedly bowl at speeds north of 140kph and has the ability to swing the ball both ways. The tear-away speedster who possesses a wide variety of tricks and variations in his bowling is equally effective at the start of the innings and death over. He will come up as a handy weapon in the Punjab skipper’s arsenal.

Jhye Richardson Punjab Kings IPL
Jhye Richardson (Punjab Kings)

The Aussie bowler had a stand-out year in the last edition of BBL, ending the tournament on a high by becoming the league’s leading wicket-taker with 29 wickets. With his exceptional performance, he helped his team be high up the table placed second, making his name as a T20 specialist bowler. Coming into the IPL this year, he will be hoping to translate his BBL heroics into the grandest T20 league in the world.

Kagiso Rabada (Delhi Capitals)

The spearhead of the South African bowling attack, A traditional fast bowler who bowls at neck break pace with the occasional bouncer. Taking into account that being just 25 years old, the speedster is yet to achieve his peak potential. A consistent performer with the ball in previous editions of the IPL, the pace merchant will look to tear up the league once again. 

Kagiso Rabada Delhi Capitals IPL
Kagiso Rabada (Delhi Capitals)

Kagiso Rabada was at his best in the last edition of the IPL bagging 30 wickets in 17 matches, which included two four-wicket hauls eventually winning the purple cap for himself. With a count of 55 wickets, no other bowler in the league has taken more wickets than Kagiso Rabada in the last two editions of the Indian Premier League. 

With his ability to swing the ball effortlessly and extract something out of tracks that offer nothing, He has established himself as one of the most fearsome bowlers and will be one of the top contenders for this edition of the purple cap.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Sunrisers Hyderabad) 

Making a comeback from injury, the Indian medium pacer has been the pick of the bowlers in the shortest formats of the game. He leads the Sunrisers pace attack and is one of the bowling mainstays along with Afghan spin bowler Rashid Khan. With his exceptional control of line and length and ability to swing the ball both ways, the Indian pacer has the ability to trouble any batsman facing him. 

Bhuvneshwar Kumar Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL
Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Sunrisers Hyderabad) 

Being one of the most successful bowlers for the Hyderabad side, he has taken over 136 wickets from 121 matches keeping an economy of 7.23 including a rare five-wicket haul. He has made a great impact against the world No.1 T20 side in the recently concluded T20 series between England and India  With his injury behind him, the medium-pacer will be keen to continue his form and put his name in the mix for the T20 World Cup.

Some potential players to miss out from our top 5 list include Anrich Nortje and Yuzvendra Chahal. Both players have been consistent wicket-takers in the top 10 bowlers of the competition and once again will look to challenge for top honors, but recent international performances have seen the bowlers struggling for form and rhythm, and is yet to be seen the impacts that they can have in the coming IPL.

This is our list of players to challenge for the most distinguished purple cap. Let us know your thoughts and who you think will be the standout bowler of IPL 2021 and can have the most impact on their franchises.