IPL 2020: The Purple cap race

The first part of this year's Indian Premier League was full of exquisite hitting with the willow from multiple superstars of the game. As the IPL 2020 has entered into its second half, Indian Cricket fans have seen an even contest between the bat and ball. As the best of the cricket should be. Which makes it even more interesting to look at the contenders of the IPL orange cap and the IPL purple cap in the race.

A good part of this race is that every game provides some altercation to the list of the run-scorers or the wicket-takers. Considering that fact, the Bharat Army presents the top five contenders for the Purple cap in IPL 2020 (Not necessarily the top-five run-scorers at the moment):

Here's a look at the top five contenders for the purple cap this season: 

5. Jofra Archer:

A thing of beauty is a joy forever! A phrase too real for England's World Cup hero, Jofra Archer. The speedster who made the headlines last year for his performances during the World Cup and Ashes has been delivering in the IPL as well. Archer has taken 17 wickets in 12 games for Rajasthan Royals and has been at the forefront of his franchise's bowling attack.

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He has been short on support because of a lack of tried and tested Indian internationals, but that hasn't affected his individual performance. The bowler from Barbados has the best economy in the top 10 wicket-takers list, 6.61. In fact, he has the most dot balls to his name in the tournament so far, 136. Which really is some achievement. WIth Rajasthan still very much in the race for top-four, one can expect more of Jofra Archer in IPL 2020. As a strong challenger for the purple cap.   

4. Yuzvendra Chahal:

When IPL 2020 was scheduled to take place in UAE, the first thing that was talked about was the spinners ruling the roost. But with the league stage almost set to enter the climax, there's only one spinner in the top five wicket-takers, Yuzvendra Chahal. The leggie has been as usual doing his share of the job at RCB. Striking with the ball whenever his team needs him to. His outside of off tempting leg-break delivery has been one of the top talking points of the tournament.

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The way the 30-year old lures the batsmen by fearlessly flighting the delivery and making them commit to playing that shot is just an eye soother. His economy (7.23) is the second-best amongst the top ten wicket-takers so far in the tournament, which really goes to show the amount of control he has had in the game. Yuzi has picked up 18 IPL wickets in 12 games, and, with RCB almost certain to play the playoffs this year, Chahal's presence as a purple cap contender is definite.

3. Mohammed Shami:

Kings XI Punjab have had a difficult season, to say the least. Especially with the ball. The team has been leaking more runs than they have been scoring. But one positive sign has been Mohammed Shami doing what he does. Taking wickets! The star Indian seamer has taken 20 wickets in 12 games for KXIP.

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Although he has been targetted by the opposition on more than one occasion, Shami hasn't lost his touch with the ball. One of the key displays of his magic was in the freak Super Overs game against Mumbai Indians where he successfully defended the target of six runs against the extremely dangerous duo of Quinton de Kock and Rohit Sharma. With Punjab on the cusp of a one of a kind entry to the IPL playoffs, Shami has a big task ahead of him. And there will be no bets against him for the same. 

2. Jasprit Bumrah:

With one Indian pace sensation already in the race for the purple cap, can another one be far behind? BOOM BOOM Bumrah has as usual lighted up the Mumbai Indians camp with his pinpoint bowling. And he has been well supported by other cast members as well. The trio of Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, and James Pattinson has been superb for the defending champions.

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And with abled support, Bumrah has been able to freely express himself. It was him as well who earned plaudits for his superb composure during his Super Over performance. As the tournament has progressed, so has the accuracy and pace of the Ahmedabadian spearhead. He has 20 wickets now, even though he was slow off the blocks to begin the tournament. With MI looking all set for another top-two finish in the league stage, the pacer also looks to finish the IPL in the United Arab Emirates on a high note as well.

1. Kagiso Rabada:

It is safe to say that as of this moment, Kagiso Rabada is the white ball's best friend. The Proteas speedster who took 25 wickets in only 12 games last season seems to have picked up from exactly where he left. He has 23 wickets in 12 games this season with Delhi Capitals.

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The 25-year old has been in ferocious form with the ball. The DC bowling department has looked more complete this season. They have had multiple options to look up to. With fellow Proteas pacer, Anrich Nortje firing on all cylinders with the new ball, Rabada's overs have been spent more conservatively in the death overs. And he hasn't disappointed. In fact, he has taken 17 off his 21 wickets in his 3rd and 4th over.

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