IPL 2022 PREDICTIONS: One player from each team who has a chance to earn the purple cap this season

IPL 2022 PREDICTIONS: The 15th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), as announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), will begin on March 26. At the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, the inaugural match of the IPL 2022 will be played between the defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the other finalist Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Unlike previous season, two extra teams will compete for the title: the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and the Gujarat Titans (GT).

Several players will be attempting to achieve personal milestones with both the bat and the ball in order to win the orange cap (most runs) and purple cap (most hits) (most wickets). Let’s take a look at who might be a contender for the purple cap from each squad.

IPL 2022 PREDICTIONS

One player on the team who has the potential to earn the purple cap is:

1. Harshal Patel (RCB)

Pacer Harshal Patel was acquired back by the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for a hefty INR 10.75 crore after being released by the team ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction. His franchise was up against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), but RCB was able to get him back to India.

In IPL 2021, the right-arm pacer was awarded the purple cap. Harshal took 32 wickets in the previous edition, which is the joint-highest total in a single edition of the lucrative league. Dwayne Bravo, a CSK all-rounder, had taken the same number of wickets in the previous season.

The 31-year-old would like to repeat his performance in the following season in order to win his franchise’s first IPL trophy and reclaim the purple hat in the process. For the forthcoming season, RCB has also named Faf du Plessis as their new captain, and it will be intriguing to see how things go for the red army.

2. Jasprit Bumrah (MI)

Due to his ability to take wickets at any stage of the game, Jasprit Bumrah will always be a contender for the purple cap. Over the years, the right-arm pacer has been and continues to be Rohit Sharma’s go-to bowler. Bumrah’s speed and accuracy are two of his most dangerous weapons.

Bumrah has been a vital contributor for the five-time champions, and the franchise will once again rely on the pacer with the ball in hand to replicate his success. The fast pacer has appeared in 106 IPL games and has a total of 130 wickets to his credit.

Bumrah is likewise hesitant to give runs. He has a 7.42 economy rate, which is extremely impressive. The right-arm bowler will attempt to repeat his performance from 2020, when he won the purple cap for collecting 27 wickets in just 14 games.

3. Yuzvendra Chahal (RR)

Rajasthan Royals (RR) bought Indian spinner Yuzvendra Chahal for INR 6.5 crores in the IPL 2022 mega auction, and he is a match-winner on his own with the ball. The 31-year-old spinner had been one of the most consistent performers for his former franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) throughout the years, therefore his departure surprised cricket fans.

Chahal finished the IPL 2021 season with 18 wickets in 15 games. For his former team, he bowled several incredible spells. In terms of his whole IPL career, the 31-year-old has appeared in 114 matches, taking 139 wickets and bowling at an excellent economy rate of 7.59.

The leg-spinner is a skilled bowler who provides plenty of air to the ball. His new franchise will expect him to pick up a lot of wickets during the middle-over phase, given his IPL and international experience. Chahal will also be hoping to earn a spot to the 2019 ICC T20 World Cup in Australia.

4. Varun Chakravarthy (KKR)

Varun Chakravarthy, a mystery spinner, was retained by Kolkata Knight Riders for INR eight crore ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction after two successful seasons with the franchise. The 30-year-old will be looking to repeat his success in the following season.

Chakravarthy made his international debut for India in July 2021, and his variations might be challenging for a batsman who hasn’t faced him before. Even in the IPL, the 30-year-old has been spotted perplexing the world’s finest players. In comparison to other spinners, Chakravarthy’s deft changes in tempo, line, length, and direction of spin set him apart.

Talking about his IPL career, the spinner has played 31 matches in biggest cricketing league of the world scalping a total 36 wickets. Going at a wonderful economy of 6.82, the 30-year-old also has a five-wicket haul under his name.

5. Arshdeep Singh (PBKS)

Arshdeep Singh, a local youngster and talented pacer, was one of the two players retained by the Punjab Kings ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction. The team paid a large sum of INR 4 crore to keep the left-handed pitcher on board, and will be looking for a strong showing from him this season.

The 23-year-old has become one of the tournament’s most surprising surprises in recent years. In last year’s edition of the IPL, Arshdeep took 5 for 32 in his four over quota against the Rajasthan Royals, which was his best-ever performance in the tournament. The youthful bowler thrashed the RR team, becoming the third-youngest player in IPL history to take five wickets.

The 23-year-old is a death overs specialist who has bowled for the Punjab Kings in crucial situations. In the IPL, Arshdeep has appeared in 23 games and taken 30 wickets at an economy rate of 8.78.

6. Ravi Bishnoi (LSG)

The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) selected young leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi for INR 4 crore ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction. The 21-year-old will be expected to repeat his performances for his new franchise after two successful seasons with Punjab Kings (PBKS).

In February 2022, Bishnoi made his international debut in a T20I series against the West Indies. In his debut encounter, the youthful leg-spinner took two wickets for only 17 runs in his four-over quota. Under the supervision of head coach Anil Kumble, the 21-year-old has developed into a vital spinner for PBKS last season.

Read Also: Taskin Ahmed is expected to replace Mark Wood with the Lucknow Super Giants

Bishnoi has 24 wickets to his name in 23 IPL games, at an economy rate of 6.96. The leg-spinner is a one-of-a-kind bowler since he has a wide range of variations and does not rely on turn. Bishnoi will be relied upon by LSG to make crucial breakthroughs, particularly in the middle overs.

7. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (SRH)

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, India’s seasoned pacer, is also one of the most successful bowlers in IPL history. Bhuvi was at his prime a few years ago, having won the purple cap twice in a row. Kumar is the only Indian bowler to win the purple cap twice in the world’s most prestigious cricket competition. Over the years, the 32-year-old has been a major figure in the orange army.

Bhuvi has appeared in 132 IPL matches and has 142 wickets to his name at an incredible average of 25.27. In the coming season, the right-arm pacer will undoubtedly reach the 150-run barrier. The experienced pacer is anticipated to lead the SRH pace assault, as he has done in recent seasons.

In T20I cricket, Bhuvi has appeared in 59 matches for India, taking 58 wickets at an economy rate of 6.99. The right-arm bowler, who is currently out of form, will be hoping to earn another purple cap in the next IPL 2022.

8. Rashid Khan (GT)

The Gujarat Titans selected Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction. To obtain his services, the franchise paid a substantial sum of INR 15 crore. The 23-year-old is a match-winner with the ball and one of the most effective spinners in the limited-overs game.

Rashid has a spectacular batting average in the T20 format and has played for a variety of franchises throughout the world. He has 93 wickets at an excellent economy rate of 6.33 in 76 IPL games and enjoys bowling the tough overs for the team.

Rashid is extremely quick and deceptive in the air, giving batters little opportunity to hit huge strokes against him. He also has one of the most poisonous googlies, which batters find difficult to pick. Rashid will aim to win the purple cap for himself in addition to doing well for his new team.

9. Axar Patel (DC)

Axar Patel, a left-handed all-rounder, has created a name for himself in the IPL over the years. Axar, who made his IPL debut for Punjab Kings in 2013, performed admirably for the team. In the 2019 Indian Premier League, when he was acquired by the Delhi Capitals. Axar was retained by the organisation at a cost of INR nine crore after two great seasons with DC.

Axar has a strike rate of 24.16 and has played 109 IPL matches. He has taken 95 wickets at a strike rate of 24.16. The 28-year-old is also fairly frugal, conceding runs at a rate of 7.22. He’s also a capable batter, with a strike rate of 125.33 and 953 runs batted in.

Axar has been a crucial player for the Delhi franchise in recent seasons, and he will try to repeat his success in the current season. Given Pant’s tendency for bowling tight lines, it will be interesting to see if he utilises the left-arm spinner during the field limitations.

10. Dwayne Bravo (CSK)

Dwayne Bravo, a former West Indies all-rounder, has been a key member of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) since joining the team in 2011. Bravo has mentored new players in the CSK camp in addition to being a match winner for the yellow army.

Bravo has 157 wickets at an economy rate of 8.36 in 151 IPL games. During the death overs, Dhoni’s go-to man has been the right-arm pacer. Bravo has a good strike rate of 130.25 and has scored 1537 runs with the bat.

He’s also a great fielder, and he’ll do everything he can to help CSK defend their crown. Bravo will once again be expected to deliver crucial breakthroughs for his team in order to earn the purple cap.