Mohammed Shami, the right-arm pacer of Gujarat Titans, was exceptional in the match against Delhi Capitals on May 2nd. He picked up four crucial wickets, conceding just 28 runs in his four overs. This performance helped him surpass Tushar Deshpande of Chennai Super Kings and climb to the top spot in the IPL 2023 Purple Cap standings with 17 wickets in nine matches.
Shami has been in top form this season, with a bowling average of 14.52 and a strike rate of 12.35. His ability to swing the ball both ways and hit the blockhole consistently makes him a valuable asset to the Titans’ bowling attack.
Tushar Deshpande of Chennai Super Kings, who was leading the Purple Cap race before Shami’s outstanding performance, also has 17 wickets in nine matches but with a slightly higher economy rate of 11.07. Deshpande will have the opportunity to reclaim the top spot when CSK faces Lucknow Super Giants on May 3rd.
Mohammed Siraj of Royal Challengers Bangalore is in third place with 15 wickets in nine matches. Siraj has been RCB’s most consistent bowler this season, picking up wickets regularly and maintaining a decent economy rate of 8.33.
Rashid Khan of Gujarat Titans and Arshdeep Singh of Punjab Kings share the fourth and fifth spots with 15 wickets each. Rashid Khan, the Afghanistan leg-spinner, is known for his variations and has been crucial to the Titans’ success in this season. Arshdeep Singh, the left-arm pacer, has been a revelation for the Kings and has picked up wickets at crucial junctures in the matches.
It will be interesting to see how the Purple Cap race unfolds in the remaining matches of the IPL 2023 season.
