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Jasprit Bumrah and Imran Tahir are strong contenders to bag Purple Cap in IPL 2020. | Photo Credit: IANS

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From Jasprit Bumrah to Imran Tahir: Top 5 contenders for Purple Cap in IPL 2020

With less than a week left for the start of the new season of IPL, here is a look at top five contenders for Purple Cap in the upcoming season.

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Key Highlights

The new season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set to get underway from September 19 with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) scheduled to take on Mumbai Indians (MI) in the blockbuster season-opener. The entire tournament will be staged in UAE this year due to the coronavirus crisis in India and bowlers are expected to dominate on the slow tracks in the country.

Over the years, IPL has seen ten different bowlers clinch the Purple Cap for being the leading wicket-taker of the season. CSK all-rounder Dwayne Bravo and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar have both won the award twice. Pacers have headlined the list of Purple Cap winners in the past 12 seasons with only two spinners - Pragyan Ojha (2010) and Imran Tahir (2018) managing to achieve the feat.

However, the upcoming season can be an eventful one for the spinners, who will enjoy bowling in UAE conditions which favour turners. While the seamers will be in contention for the individual honour, spinner bagging the Purple Cap won't come as a surprise in IPL 2020. Here is a look at top five contenders for Purple Cap this year.

1) Jasprit Bumrah:

With no Lasith Malinga in the side for the upcoming edition, Jasprit Bumrah will have to shoulder the responsibility of providing Mumbai Indians a good start with the new ball and also contain runs in the death overs. Bumrah has often done well under pressure and has already proven his credentials as one of the best pacers in the world at present. He was the leading wicket-taker for Mumbai last season with 19 wickets in 16 games and will be raring to make an impact once again this year.

2) Pat Cummins:

Bought for a whopping Rs 15.5 crore by Kolkata Knight Riders at the player auction last year, Pat Cummins will be under pressure to hit the ground running early in the season and deliver the goods for his side. Ranked number one and four in Tests and ODI rankings respectively, Cummins also owns a decent record in T20Is. He has 37 wickets in 30 T20Is at an impressive economy of 6.93 and average of 20.62. One of the best fast bowlers in the world, his experience, pace and tenacity will play a crucial role in KKR's success in IPL 2020.

3) Imran Tahir:

Age is just a number for senior CSK spinner Imran Tahir, who was absolutely phenomenal for the MS Dhoni-led side last season. Tahir finished the season as the leading wicket-taker in IPL 2019, picking up 26 wickets in 17 games at an impressive economy of 6.69. The South Africa veteran leggie bowls with infectious energy and can even give youngsters a run for their money with his energy on the field. With spinners certain to get help on UAE tracks, Tahir will be one of the favourites for Purple Cap in IPL 2020.

4) Yuzvendra Chahal:

Yuzvendra Chahal has been one of the most consistent performers for Royal Challengers Bangalore with the ball. He will once again spearhead the team's bowling attack in the upcoming season and will be looking to make the most of the spin-friendly conditions in UAE. Chahal picked up 18 wickets in 14 games last season and was the leading wicket-taker for his side. He will be one of the spinners to watch out for this year.

5) Kagiso Rabada:

The Delhi Capitals pacer came close to bagging the Purple Cap last season with 25 scalps in just 12 matches. One of the top pacers across formats, Rabada's ability to adapt to any conditions and make the best use of his variations make him stand out. His prolific wicket-taking ability helped Delhi make it to the playoffs last season and the Proteas speedster will be hopeful of replicating his heroics once again this year. Rabada has 31 wickets in just 18 IPL matches so far.