Abhishek Sharma struck the fourth century of IPL 2026, taking Sunrisers Hyderabad to a commanding win over Delhi Capitals on Tuesday night. His knock came in the wake of earlier triple-digit efforts from Sanju Samson, Quinton de Kock and Tilak Varma. With the ball, Eshan Malinga delivered a destructive spell, finishing with figures of 4 for 32, which sparked a reshuffle across the Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Orange Cap: Abhishek’s historic 135
Abhishek completed his first full 20-over batting effort in T20 cricket, carrying SRH to 242 for 2. He produced the fifth-highest individual score in IPL history, smashing 135 off 68 balls, and used that momentum to move his franchise into joint-second position on the points table.
It was also his ninth T20 century—now the most by an Indian batter, level with Virat Kohli—pushing his season tally to 323 runs from seven innings. He has maintained a strike rate of 215.33 so far.
Where the Orange Cap race stands
- 1st: Abhishek Sharma (SRH) leads with 323 runs in seven innings, strike rate 215.33.
- 2nd: Heinrich Klaasen, just three runs behind Abhishek, after a 37 not out off 13 balls in a third-wicket stand that added 66 runs in 32 deliveries.
- 3rd: Shubman Gill (Gujarat Titans), 265 runs from five innings at a strike rate of 151.42.
- Next: Virat Kohli (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Rajasthan Royals).
- Top ten completion: Ishan Kishan (SRH), Rajat Patidar (RCB), Cooper Connolly, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Priyansh Arya.
Purple Cap: Eshan Malinga’s 4-for lifts him
Eshan Malinga’s four-wicket haul against DC was his third four-for in T20 cricket, and it propelled him to joint-second place among the leading wicket-takers for this IPL season. He now has 12 wickets at an average of 18.08, with an economy rate of 9.43. Gujarat Titans’ Prasidh Krishna also sits on 12 wickets.
Wicket-takers and the remaining contenders
- Joint-second: Eshan Malinga (12 wickets) with average 18.08 and economy 9.43.
- Also on 12: Prasidh Krishna (GT).
- Still ahead at the top: Anshul Kamboj (Chennai Super Kings) with 13 wickets.
- 4th: Prince Yadav (Lucknow Super Giants), the uncapped pacer, in fourth place.
- Others tied: Bhuvneshwar Kumar (RCB), Kagiso Rabada (GT), and Ravi Bishnoi (RR) are all on 10 wickets each.
Other key numbers
Highest batting strike rates
Most sixes
Best economy rates
Best bowling strike rates
