The IPL 2026 season is in full swing, and with the end of the league stage, the race for the Purple Cap has become very exciting. Even though T20 cricket is often called a batsman’s game, the old saying is still true today: “Batting wins you matches, but bowling wins you tournaments.”
This year, we are seeing a tough fight between the fast bowlers and the spinners. So, let’s take a look at the top 5 bowlers of IPL 2026 who are currently leading the race for the Purple Cap.
Playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Bhuvneshwar Kumar has performed amazingly this season. He has taken the highest number of wickets in 14 league matches and is currently at the top of the points table. His swing with the new ball and accurate yorkers in the death overs are the main reasons for his success.
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Bhuvneshwar Kumar (RCB) – 24 Wickets
If he keeps up this same performance in the playoffs, he will capture the third Purple Cap of his IPL career.
| Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 24 | 4/23 | 8.07 |
For those who might not know, Bhuvneshwar has already won the Purple Cap twice before. He won his first Purple Cap in 2016 by taking 23 wickets, and his second one in 2017 by taking 26 wickets.
Kagiso Rabada (GT) – 24 Wickets
Gujarat Titans’ fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has given Bhuvneshwar Kumar a tough fight in the league stage. Even though they have the same number of wickets (24), he is in second place on the table because of a slightly higher bowling average. Rabada has troubled the batters with his pace and bounce throughout the season.
| Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 24 | 3/25 | 9.19 |
Jofra Archer (RR) – 21 Wickets
Rajasthan Royals’ star pacer Jofra Archer has bowled brilliantly this year while making a comeback from injury. His performance for Rajasthan has been very disciplined in both the powerplay and the death overs. Because of this, he is in third place with 21 wickets.
| Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 21 | 3/17 | 8.77 |
Anshul Kamboj (CSK) – 21 Wickets
Chennai Super Kings’ young fast bowler Anshul Kamboj has proved to be the biggest discovery of this season. As an uncapped player, he led Chennai’s bowling attack and tricked big batters with his line and length. With 21 wickets, he is in fourth place on this elite list.
| Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 21 | 3/22 | 10.53 |
Rashid Khan (GT) / Eshan Malinga (SRH) – 19 Wickets
There is a tie for the fifth place between two different types of bowlers. Gujarat Titans’ leg-spinner Rashid Khan has stopped the runs in the middle overs and also taken key wickets. On the other hand, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Eshan Malinga has gotten important breakthroughs for his team in crucial situations. Both are tied at 19 wickets each.
| Player | Team | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rashid Khan | GT | 14 | 19 | 3/20 | 7.45 |
| Eshan Malinga | SRH | 14 | 19 | 4/28 | 8.95 |
| Pos | Player | Team | Wkts | Mat | Inns | Ov | Runs | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | RCB | 24 | 14 | 14 | 55.0 | 444 | 23/4 | 18.50 | 8.07 | 13.75 | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | Kagiso Rabada | GT | 24 | 14 | 14 | 53.4 | 493 | 25/3 | 20.54 | 9.18 | 13.41 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Jofra Archer | RR | 21 | 14 | 14 | 52.0 | 456 | 17/3 | 21.71 | 8.76 | 14.85 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Anshul Kamboj | CSK | 21 | 14 | 14 | 50.2 | 530 | 22/3 | 25.23 | 10.52 | 14.38 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Rashid Khan | GT | 19 | 14 | 14 | 47.5 | 417 | 33/4 | 21.94 | 8.71 | 15.10 | 1 | 0 |
| 6 | Eshan Malinga | SRH | 19 | 14 | 14 | 50.2 | 467 | 32/4 | 24.57 | 9.27 | 15.89 | 1 | 0 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Who is leading the IPL 2026 Purple Cap race after the league stage?
Currently, Bhuvneshwar Kumar (RCB) is holding the Purple Cap. Both he and Kagiso Rabada (GT) have 24 wickets each, but Bhuvneshwar takes the number one spot because he has a better (lower) economy rate.
Q. What happens if two bowlers take the exact same number of wickets?
According to IPL rules, if there is a tie in wickets, the Purple Cap is awarded to the bowler who has a better economy rate throughout the tournament.
Q. Who is the biggest surprise player in the Purple Cap list this season?
Chennai Super Kings’ young fast bowler Anshul Kamboj is the biggest surprise. As an uncapped player, he has impressed everyone by taking 21 wickets in 14 matches.
Q. Are the wickets taken in the playoffs counted for the Purple Cap?
Yes, absolutely! The Purple Cap is awarded based on the entire tournament. Wickets taken during the playoffs and the final match are added to the total, and the ultimate winner is decided after the final ball is bowled.
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