Like the IPL, the Purple Cap and the Orange Cap\u00a0 – awarded to the highest run scorer of a season – are two of the highest individual honours for players in the WPL.<\/p>\n
West Indies ace Hayley Matthews claimed the first-ever WPL Purple Cap after picking up 16 wickets in 10 matches to lead the Mumbai Indians to the title in the inaugural season back in 2023.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the WPL 2023 Most Valuable Player, Matthews, finished with figures of 3\/5 in the final against the Delhi Capitals.<\/p>\n
Although UP Warriorz\u2019s Sophie Ecclestone also finished with 16 wickets, and that too in one fewer match, Matthews won the WPL 2023 Purple Cap due to having a better economy rate.<\/p>\n
Matthews had an economy rate of 5.94 in WPL 2023 and an average of 12.62. In comparison, Ecclestone\u2019s economy rate for the tournament was 6.62 and her average was 14.68.<\/p>\n
As per the rules, if two or more bowlers finish with the same number of wickets, the better economy rate acts as the tie-breaker. If the economy rates are also identical, the bowler with the higher strike rate is awarded the Purple Cap.<\/p>\n
Interestingly, the same rule would deny Matthews the Purple Cap in WPL 2025.<\/p>\n
After both Matthews and her MI teammate Amelie Kerr finished with 18 wickets for the season, it was the Kiwi all-rounder who took the honours, courtesy of her lower economy rate of 7.75 compared to Matthews, who had 8.22.<\/p>\n