Cricket

WPL Purple Cap Winners List From 2023 To 2026 (Bowling Stats)

January 23, 2026

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The list of WPL Purple Cap winners from 2023 to 2025 highlights the importance of quality bowling in T20 cricket. From Hayley Matthews’ all-round brilliance in the inaugural season to Amelia Kerr’s record-breaking 18-wicket haul in 2025, these performances have set high standards and underlined the growing competitiveness of the league. The Purple Cap rewards the season’s leading wicket-taker, symbolizing bowling excellence. Let’s explore the complete list of WPL Purple Cap winners.

WPL Purple Cap Winners List (2023–2025)

This table lists the WPL Purple Cap winners for the years 2023 to 2025.

SeasonPlayerTeamMatchesWickets
2023Hayley MatthewsMumbai Indians1016
2024Shreyanka PatilRoyal Challengers Bengaluru813
2025Amelia KerrMumbai Indians1018

1. Hayley Matthews

Hayley Matthews was a standout performer in the inaugural WPL season of 2023, finishing as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker and earning the Purple Cap. Representing the Mumbai Indians, she claimed 16 wickets in 10 matches, maintaining an impressive economy rate of 5.94 and an average of 12.62. 

Hayley Matthews
Source: IPL

Her timely breakthroughs regularly halted opposition momentum and played a key role in Mumbai’s title-winning campaign. Matthews finished level on wickets with Sophie Ecclestone but secured the Purple Cap due to her superior economy. Her best figures of 4 for 17 highlighted her ability to change matches with decisive spells.

2. Shreyanka Patil

Shreyanka Patil enjoyed a breakthrough WPL 2024 season, becoming the first Indian bowler to win the Purple Cap. Representing Royal Challengers Bengaluru, she picked up 13 wickets in eight matches at an outstanding average of 12.07. 

Shreyanka Patil
Source: Scroll

Her defining performance came against the Delhi Capitals, where she claimed 4 for 26, dismissing several established batters. Patil consistently delivered crucial breakthroughs, removing top names throughout the tournament. Her central impact led RCB to win their maiden WPL title under Smriti Mandhana’s captaincy, and her impressive campaign earned her the Emerging Player of the Season award.

3. Amelia Kerr

Amelia Kerr produced a remarkable WPL 2025 campaign, emerging as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker and claiming the Purple Cap. Representing the Mumbai Indians, she collected 18 wickets in 10 matches, setting a new single-season record. 

Amelia Kerr
Source: ESPNcricinfo

Although teammate Hayley Matthews finished with the exact wicket tally, Kerr secured the award due to her superior economy rate of 7.75. Her ability to strike at crucial moments consistently shifted games in Mumbai’s favour and proved vital in their journey to a second WPL title. Kerr’s performances throughout the season further reinforced her status as one of the finest bowlers in women’s cricket.

Leading Wicket-Takers in the Women’s Premier League

This table lists the leading wicket-takers in Women’s Premier League history, highlighting the most impactful bowlers along with their key bowling statistics.

PlayerSpanMatchesWicketsBest BowlingAverageEconomy
Amelia Kerr (MI-W)2023–202634505/3817.267.59
Hayley Matthews (MI-W)2023–202632433/518.907.57
Sophie Ecclestone (UPW-W)2023–202630404/1320.426.98
Nat Sciver-Brunt (MI-W)2023–202634393/1822.587.93
Shikha Pandey (DC-W/UPW-W)2023–202632353/2323.717.03

Amelia Kerr leads WPL’s all-time wicket chart with 50 wickets, followed by Hayley Matthews, Sophie Ecclestone, Nat Sciver-Brunt, and Shikha Pandey, highlighting consistent bowling excellence across seasons.

Purple Cap Contenders in WPL 2026 (Latest Update)

In this table, the current WPL 2026 Purple Cap standings are shown.

RankPlayerTeamWickets
1Amelia KerrDelhi Capitals10
2Nandni SharmaDelhi Capitals9
3Lauren BellRoyal Challengers Bengaluru8

The battle for the Purple Cap in WPL 2026 is intensifying as bowlers make strong early-season impressions. With the tournament in progress, the leaderboard remains tight, and a single standout spell could quickly change the standings.

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Conclusion: Purple Cap celebrates the finest bowlers in the WPL

The WPL Purple Cap has quickly grown into one of the most prestigious awards in women’s cricket, reflecting the league’s rising quality and competitiveness. Over the past three seasons, winners from the West Indies, India, and New Zealand have claimed the honour, underlining its global appeal. Hayley Matthews led the way in 2023, Shreyanka Patil created history as the first Indian winner in 2024, and Amelia Kerr raised the bar in 2025 with a record 18 wickets. Notably, each Purple Cap winner has come from the title-winning team, highlighting the impact of strong bowling. As WPL 2026 unfolds, the battle remains intense, with leading bowlers once again grabbing the spotlight.

FAQs

What is the Purple Cap in the WPL?

The Purple Cap is awarded to the bowler with the most wickets in a WPL season, recognising consistency, impact, and excellence in bowling.

Who won the first WPL Purple Cap?

Hayley Matthews won the inaugural WPL Purple Cap in 2023, taking 16 wickets in 10 matches for Mumbai Indians.

Has any Indian player won the Purple Cap?

Yes, Shreyanka Patil became the first Indian to win it in 2024, taking 13 wickets for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Who has the most wickets in WPL history?

Amelia Kerr leads all-time WPL wickets with 50 wickets from 2023 to 2026, followed by Hayley Matthews, Sophie Ecclestone, Nat Sciver-Brunt, and Shikha Pandey.

Who are the WPL Purple Cap winners from 2023 to 2025?

The WPL Purple Cap winners from 2023 to 2025 are Hayley Matthews (16 wickets, Mumbai Indians), Shreyanka Patil (13 wickets, RCB), and Amelia Kerr (18 wickets, Mumbai Indians).

Devraj Chauhan is a sports development strategist with hands-on experience in managing tournaments, coaching programs, and infrastructure planning across India. Dedicated to promoting both indoor and outdoor games, he brings a practical perspective to grassroots sports and writes to inspire growth in community-based athletics.

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