WPL Purple Cap Winners List

Since its debut in 2023, the Women’s Premier League has quickly turned into a showcase for the world’s best T20 bowlers.

Every season, the Purple Cap race becomes a battle of skill, consistency, and nerve—where one breakthrough spell can shift the entire tournament.

From Hayley Matthews’ tight lines in the inaugural season to Sophie Devine’s experience shining through in 2026, the Purple Cap has been claimed by bowlers who delivered when their teams needed them most.

Whether it’s breaking partnerships, defending totals, or striking early with the new ball, these performances have defined championship campaigns.

Here’s everything you need to know about the WPL Purple Cap winners list, season by season.

WPL Purple Cap Winners List

Complete WPL Purple Cap Winners List (2023–2026)

The Purple Cap is awarded to the bowler who takes the most wickets in a single WPL season. If two bowlers finish with the same number of wickets, the one with the better economy rate claims the honor. Here’s the full breakdown:

Season	Player	Team	Matches	Wickets	Average	Economy
2023	Hayley Matthews	Mumbai Indians	10	16	12.62	5.94
2024	Shreyanka Patil	Royal Challengers Bengaluru	8	13	12.07	6.91
2025	Amelia Kerr	Mumbai Indians	10	18	13.00	7.75
2026	Sophie Devine	Gujarat Giants	9	17	14.24	7.29

Mumbai Indians has dominated the Purple Cap list with three winners across four seasons, showing the strength of their bowling attack.

Season-by-Season Analysis of Purple Cap Holders

Hayley Matthews – 2023 Purple Cap Winner

Matthews set the tone in the WPL’s very first season.
Playing for Mumbai Indians, she picked up 16 wickets in 10 matches with an economy rate that barely crossed six runs per over. That discipline made all the difference—Sophie Ecclestone also finished with 16 wickets, but Matthews’ tighter lines earned her the cap.
Her best performance came at a crucial moment: 4 for 17 in a must-win game.
She didn’t just take wickets; she choked the run flow when batters were looking to accelerate. Mumbai went on to lift the trophy, and Matthews’ ability to break partnerships in the middle overs played a massive role in that success.

Shreyanka Patil – 2024 Purple Cap Winner

Shreyanka became the first Indian bowler to win the WPL Purple Cap, and she did it in style.
In just 8 matches for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, she grabbed 13 wickets at an average of 12.07. Those aren’t just numbers—they reflect pressure bowling in high-stakes moments.
Her standout spell was 4 for 26 against Delhi Capitals, where she dismantled their middle order.
Meg Lanning, Jemimah Rodrigues, Alice Capsey, and Jess Jonassen—all gone.
RCB leaned heavily on her throughout the season, and she responded by helping them secure their first WPL title under Smriti Mandhana’s captaincy. She also walked away with the Emerging Player award, capping off a breakout year.

Amelia Kerr – WPL Purple Cap 2025

Kerr took things to another level in 2025. Her 18 wickets in 10 matches set a new WPL record, and even though her Mumbai teammate Hayley Matthews also finished with 18 wickets, Kerr’s superior economy rate (7.75 vs 8.22) handed her the Purple Cap.
What stood out wasn’t just the wicket count—it was the timing. Kerr consistently delivered breakthroughs when Mumbai needed them, whether it was removing set batters or cleaning up the tail under pressure.
Her all-round skills made her invaluable, and Mumbai claimed their second WPL title with Kerr leading the bowling charge.

Sophie Devine – WPL Purple Cap 2026

In 2026, Sophie Devine proved that class and experience still matter.
The New Zealand veteran claimed the Purple Cap with 17 wickets in just 9 matches for Gujarat Giants, maintaining an average of 14.24 throughout the season.
Devine’s best performance was a 4-wicket haul against Delhi Capitals that turned the match on its head.
Even though Gujarat Giants had an inconsistent campaign, Devine stayed sharp and reliable.
She became the second New Zealander after Amelia Kerr to top the WPL wicket charts, showing that senior players can still dominate T20 leagues.

How the WPL Purple Cap Race Works

The Purple Cap is worn during matches by the leading wicket-taker at any point in the season.

As bowlers leapfrog each other on the wickets tally, the cap changes hands—sometimes even mid-tournament. It’s not just about taking wickets; economy rate becomes the tiebreaker, rewarding bowlers who stay disciplined under pressure.

In T20 cricket, where one over can change everything, the Purple Cap battle often comes down to the final few games. A bowler trailing by two wickets can surge ahead with a single match-winning spell.

WPL Orange Cap vs Purple Cap: What’s the Difference?

While the Purple Cap goes to the top wicket-taker, the WPL Orange Cap is awarded to the leading run-scorer in the tournament. Both are prestigious individual honors, but they measure completely different contributions.
The WPL Orange Cap 2026 was fiercely contested among top-order batters, while the Purple Cap race saw bowlers battling for every dismissal. If you’re tracking the WPL Orange Cap winner, you’re following batters; for the WPL Purple Cap list, it’s all about bowlers.
Fans often compare the two to see which teams have balanced squads—strong batting and bowling depth usually leads to championship runs.

Expert Insight: What Makes a Purple Cap Winner?

Winning the Purple Cap isn’t just about raw talent. It’s about reading match situations, adapting to different pitches, and handling pressure in knockout-style scenarios.
Take Shreyanka Patil in 2024—she played fewer matches than most contenders but struck at crucial moments. Or look at Amelia Kerr’s economy discipline in 2025, which separated her from Hayley Matthews despite identical wicket tallies. These details matter more than people realize.
The best Purple Cap winners don’t just rack up wickets in dead rubbers. They deliver when their team is defending 140 on a flat pitch or when the opposition’s set batter is eyeing a fifty. That’s the difference between good bowlers and match-winners.

WPL Purple Cap Winners List All Time: Key Trends

Looking at the WPL purple cap winners list all time, a few patterns emerge:

Mumbai Indians dominance: Three Purple Cap winners in four seasons shows their bowling depth
International stars lead the way: Only Shreyanka Patil (2024) has been an Indian winner so far
Spinners vs pacers: Most winners have been spin-bowling all-rounders who contribute with the bat too
Economy matters: In close races, discipline with the ball makes all the difference

As more domestic talent develops, we might see more Indian bowlers competing for the Purple Cap in future seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the WPL Purple Cap in 2023?

Hayley Matthews won the Purple Cap in 2023 with 16 wickets for Mumbai Indians, edging out Sophie Ecclestone on economy rate.

How many teams participated in the inaugural WPL season?

The inaugural WPL season in 2023 featured five teams: Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Giants, Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and UP Warriorz.

What is the difference between the Orange Cap and Purple Cap in WPL?

The Orange Cap is awarded to the leading run-scorer, while the Purple Cap goes to the bowler with the most wickets in a WPL season.

Has any Indian bowler won the WPL Purple Cap?

Yes, Shreyanka Patil became the first Indian to win the Purple Cap in 2024 with 13 wickets for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Who holds the record for most wickets in a single WPL season?

Amelia Kerr holds the record with 18 wickets in the 2025 season for Mumbai Indians.

Final Thoughts

The WPL Purple Cap has quickly become one of the most competitive individual awards in women’s T20 cricket.

From Hayley Matthews’ disciplined start in 2023 to Sophie Devine’s veteran class in 2026, each winner has brought something unique to the tournament.

What makes the race exciting isn’t just the wicket tally—it’s the context. A 3-wicket haul in a semifinal carries more weight than a 4-for in a dead rubber.

The bowlers who understand that pressure and rise to it are the ones who end up wearing the Purple Cap.

As the WPL continues to grow, expect even fiercer competition.

With emerging Indian bowlers learning from international stars and every franchise strengthening their attacks, future seasons could see new records and unforgettable spells that redefine what it means to dominate with the ball.