IPL 2022 | Lasith Malinga predicts the top two contenders for Purple Cap

Rajasthan Royals bowling coach Lasith Malinga has predicted that either Yuzvendra Chahal or Wanindu Hasaranga will win this year's purple cap award.

Hasaranga, on Friday (May 13), bagged the purple cap during the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS). He bowled four overs and took two wickets while conceding only 15 runs. 

He surpassed Yuzvendra Chahal to become the current Purple Cap holder. Both the players have 23 wickets each, but despite having an equal number of wickets, Hasaranga leads the charts based on a superior economy rate to Chahal (7.54). The Rajasthan leg-spinner has played one game less than his Sri Lankan counterpart in the IPL 2022 purple cap battle.

Even though Malinga is currently playing the role of RR's bowling coach and Chahal is a part of his team, he couldn't resist wishing his fellow countrymen to compete with Chahal for the purple cap. 

Malinga took to Twitter to mark Hasaranga as one of the major contenders for the purple cap this season, along with Chahal.

"Congratulations for the purple cap. Really happy to see Sri Lankan players making a mark once again in the IPL. It's gonna be an exciting battle between the two spin masters for the purple cap," the former Mumbai Indians fast bowler tweeted.

Hasaranga has 23 wickets from 13 matches at an average of 14.65 and an economy of 7.48. Chahal also has 23 wickets from 12 matches, which came at an average of 15.73 and an economy of 7.54. Both wrist spinners have played a pivotal role in the success of their respective franchises.