IPL's greatest flex? Dominating the season and then winning the trophy, too. These legends made sure their Purple or Orange Cap came with a matching title ring
Winning the IPL is no joke. It takes nerves, planning, and, often, a sprinkling of chaos. But imagine dominating with the bat or ball all season—and then lifting the trophy, too. That's not just playing well. That's starring in your own cricket movie. From 2008 to 2024, a few players achieved this rare double: they were either the Orange Cap (most runs) or Purple Cap (most wickets) holder—and their team also ended up champions. Let's rewind the clock and relive those masterclasses.
Before Yorkers were cool, Sohail Tanvir confused batters with his zigzag limbs and left-arm thunder. Representing the Rajasthan Royals in the inaugural IPL, Tanvir wasn't just bowling—he was spellcasting. In just 11 matches, he snapped up 22 wickets. His 6/14 against CSK was so nasty it became an IPL record that lived rent-free in the stat books for over a decade. With a freakish average of 12.09, Tanvir claimed the Purple Cap and helped Shane Warne's Royals script a Cinderella finale.
The following season, the circus moved to South Africa, but the swing didn't stop. RP Singh, with his classic Indian seam-up style, led the Deccan Chargers' attack. He wasn't just bowling—he was sculpting dismissals. Picking 23 wickets in 16 games, he danced with the new ball and even brought the heat in the final. Four wickets in the decider? Talk about showing up when it matters! The Chargers took home their first (and only) title, while RP took home the Purple Cap and a truckload of new fans.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar doesn't roar. He whispers with the seam and lets the wickets talk. In 2016, he did just that—over and over again. With 23 scalps in 17 matches, he was the axis around which Sunrisers Hyderabad's bowling spun. His ability to swing it both ways made him unplayable in the powerplay. Result? SRH clinched their first-ever title. Bhuvi didn't just take the Purple Cap—he wore it like a crown.
Robin Uthappa's 2014 campaign is a tale of two halves. The first half, played in the UAE, saw him struggle. Then, IPL returned to India—and so did Uthappa's mojo. Promoted to open for KKR, he suddenly turned into a run-making robot. He scored 40+ in eight consecutive games—a T20 record. By the time the tournament wrapped, Uthappa had 660 runs, the Orange Cap, and a trophy to show for it. Kolkata Knight Riders won it all, and Robin's bat never cooled off.
A baby-faced assassin emerged in 2021. His name? Ruturaj Gaikwad. Soft-spoken off the field, all business on it. He scored 635 runs in 16 matches for Chennai Super Kings, including a sizzling century against Rajasthan Royals. Consistent, calm, and elegant, Ruturaj didn't just win the Orange Cap. He also helped CSK grab their fourth IPL title. Oh, and he took home the Emerging Player award, too—because why not win everything when you're on a roll?
This elite group isn't long. It isn't easy to carry an entire campaign on your shoulders and see your team lift the trophy. Some fall short at the final hurdle. Others sparkle but don't shine when it matters. But these men? They peaked when everything was on the line.a
