IPL 2026 Purple Cap Race — Top Wicket Takers Updated
Bhuvneshwar Kumar continues to lead the IPL 2026 Purple Cap race with 24 wickets from 13 matches — but Kagiso Rabada has closed the gap significantly with 21 wickets. The battle for the Purple Cap is now a genuine three-way contest between Bhuvneshwar, Rabada, and Anshul Kamboj.
IPL 2026 Purple Cap — Updated Standings
| Rank | Player | Team | M | Overs | Runs | Wkts | Avg | Eco |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | RCB | 13 | 51.0 | 306 | 24 | 16.38 | 6.00 |
| 2 | Kagiso Rabada | GT | 13 | 50.0 | 300 | 21 | 21.95 | 6.00 |
| 3 | Anshul Kamboj | CSK | 12 | 42.2 | 254 | 19 | 22.53 | 6.00 |
| 4 | Jofra Archer | RR | 12 | 44.0 | 264 | 17 | 23.53 | 6.00 |
| 5 | Prince Yadav | LSG | 12 | 45.0 | 270 | 16 | 24.00 | 6.00 |
| 6 | Rashid Khan | GT | 13 | 45.5 | 275 | 16 | 24.94 | 6.00 |
| 7 | Kartik Tyagi | KKR | 12 | 43.0 | 258 | 16 | 25.38 | 6.00 |
| 8 | Eshan Malinga | SRH | 12 | 42.2 | 254 | 16 | 25.50 | 6.00 |
| 9 | Mohammed Siraj | — | 13 | 48.0 | 288 | 14 | 29.43 | 6.00 |
| 10 | Jamie Overton | CSK | 10 | 28.0 | 168 | 14 | 17.79 | 6.00 |
| 11 | Arshdeep Singh | — | 13 | 50.0 | 300 | 14 | 34.93 | 6.00 |
| 12 | Prasidh Krishna | — | 8 | 29.0 | 174 | 14 | 20.86 | 6.00 |
| 13 | Sunil Narine | KKR | 11 | 43.0 | 258 | 13 | 22.15 | 6.00 |
| 14 | Jason Holder | GT | 7 | 26.2 | 158 | 13 | 13.92 | 6.00 |
| 15 | AM Ghazanfar | — | 9 | 31.5 | 191 | 13 | 24.54 | 6.00 |
Bhuvneshwar Kumar — Still Leading at 24 Wickets
Bhuvneshwar Kumar's IPL 2026 is a masterclass in swing bowling. 24 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 16.38 — these are numbers that belong to a different era of cricket. At 36 years old, Bhuvneshwar is proving that skill, accuracy and seam movement will always find wickets regardless of T20's batting evolution.
Kagiso Rabada — The Closest Challenger
Kagiso Rabada has stormed up the Purple Cap standings with 21 wickets for GT in 13 matches. His economy of 6.00 is excellent for a pace bowler — and with GT in the playoffs, Rabada will have more opportunities to close the gap on Bhuvneshwar.
Jason Holder — Best Average in Tournament
Jason Holder deserves special mention — 13 wickets in just 7 matches at an average of 13.92 makes him the most economical wicket-taker in the tournament per ball bowled. His availability for GT's playoff campaign makes him a potentially decisive factor.
Jamie Overton — Best Among Remaining Contenders
Jamie Overton's 14 wickets from just 10 matches at an average of 17.79 shows his quality — and with CSK still fighting for playoffs, he will bowl in high-pressure situations where wickets matter most.
Fantasy Tips — Purple Cap Contenders
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the safest bowling fantasy pick of IPL 2026 — 24 wickets at 16.38 average is exceptional. Kagiso Rabada and Rashid Khan are the best premium bowling picks for GT matches. For value picks, Anshul Kamboj (CSK) and Jofra Archer (RR) offer outstanding wicket-taking ability at lower fantasy prices.
